The Brooklyn Nets have defeated the Boston Celtics, 129-120, after a late surge led by the Nets shooting guard Caris Levert. Brooklyn scored 51 points in the fourth quarter, managing to tie the score at 118 as the game went to overtime.
LeVert would finish the game with 51 points and score all 11 of the Nets’ points in overtime.
The Celtics were forced to play without rising star Jayson Tatum (illness) and were missing veteran forward Gordon Hayward in the second half (after he sustained a right knee contusion in game play). Defensive mastermind Marcus Smart fouled out with three and a half minutes left in overtime. However, despite poor defensive scheming by Brooklyn and timely shots made by Boston that should have helped the Celtics down their division rivals, LeVert’s superhuman performance was enough to get the Nets the win.
Celtics point guard Kemba Walker (21 points) and swingman Jaylen Brown (22 points) were the only players to score above 20 points for Boston but neither managed to score in overtime. Every player who received playing time for the Celtics scored, except for Semi Ojeleye, showing just how much of a team-wide effort there was.
However, there just wasn’t enough firepower for Boston in the second half and their 13-point halftime lead wasn’t enough.
The Celtics are now 41-19.
