Brooklyn Nets: Celts Get Boot In This Episode of Home Improvement

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

TAKING BETTER CARE OF HOME COURT

Season series tied 1-1

I - BOS 116; BKN 95

II - BKN 109; BOS 102

III - January 28 @ BOS

IV - March 30 @ BKN

FINAL

Celtics   102

NETS    109

Brooklyn Nets: After 0-10 Stretch Versus Celtics, Brooks Finally Get Damn Leprechaun Off Their Backs.

After suffering a 21-point defeat just over a week ago at Boston, Flatbush gains a measure of payback with a 109-102 victory over the visiting Celts Monday night at Barclays Center.

With Boston playing minus the services of Kyrie Irving, D'Angelo Russell opens the scoring on Brooklyn's first possession with a three.  By night's end, Russell finishes with a game-high with 34-points during a floor leading 37-minute effort.  Opening the second half staked to a one-point lead, Russell explodes for 18-points in the third quarter.  However, the Nets would allow Boston to close a 24-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to within six points with just 31.8 seconds left to play.  But that's as close as the Celts would get, as the Nets learn another lesson in the art of closing out games with a seven point victory over their division rival.

This latest victory gives the Nets a 14-5 (.736) record since snapping a near ruinous eight-game slide.  Despite their season record (22-23) still being one game under par, their mid-season surge has earned them contention within the conference's top eight.  Their season point differential is an improved -0.6 as the Nets have been outscoring opponents (113.4 vs. 111.5 ppg) over this latest stretch to the tune of a +1.9 point differential.

The Nets also own a winning 6-4 record against the division, and a 16-12 record in Eastern Conference play.  More importantly, they finally sport a winning record (12-11) at home.  After starting just 3-10 at Barclays, Kenny's Kids are now 9-1 in their last ten at the Flatbush Avenue gym.

... all despite numerous injuries to the starting lineup.

Lastly, Monday's victory snaps a ten game losing streak against the Boston Celtics.

D'Angelo Russell also leads all players with seven assists.  Jarrett Allan posts a double-double with 19-points and 12-assists.  DeMarre Carroll adds another double-double, with 10-points and a game high 14 boars off the bench.