Celtics beat Nets 118-110

In a thrilling showdown on the hardwood, the Celtics emerged victorious with a resounding 118-110 triumph over the Nets. The clash between these two storied franchises showcased the essence of classic basketball, where skill, strategy, and sheer determination converged.

From tip-off to final buzzer, both teams exhibited their prowess and fought tooth and nail for every possession. The Celtics' offensive firepower was on full display as they orchestrated seamless plays and exploited defensive gaps. Their star players shone brightly, sinking shots from all angles and leaving the Nets scrambling to contain them.

Jaylen Brown added 19 points for the Celtics, who improved to 42-12 and will host the Nets on Wednesday in the final game for both teams before the All-Star break. 

Tatum tied his career high for points in a first half with 31 and the Celtics led comfortably much of the way while playing without Kristaps Porzingis because of a lower back contusion. Coach Joe Mazzulla said Boston's starting center could play Wednesday. 

Al Horford replaced Porzingis in the lineup and scored 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting. Derrick White also scored 16 and Jrue Holiday had 14 points and 12 assists as the Celtics won their sixth straight in Brooklyn. 

The Nets are 6-11 in a 17-game stretch in which they have played 12 home games. They play 14 of their next 20 on the road after Tuesday.

On Saturday, Schroder made a successful debut for his new team with 15 points and 12 assists in 27 minutes, highlighting his effort with a lob that led to a Nic Claxton alley-oop dunk at the end of the third quarter.

"Just be aggressive, try to find my open teammates, push it in transition, play defense," Schroder said. "They made it easy for me, but ... I'm glad that we won the game."

Cam Thomas led the Nets with 25 points after following up a 40-point showing by shooting 29 percent (16 of 55) in Brooklyn's three-game skid to Cleveland, Dallas and Golden State.

But the Nets hung close for a while, trailing just 45-43 with 7 1/2 minutes remaining in the half. Tatum then hit another 3 and the Celtics began to open it up, eventually going ahead 72-52 on Luke Kornet's dunk before Brooklyn scored the final five points of the half. Tatum scored 15 in the quarter. 

The lead grew to 93-70 on Tatum's dunk with 4:19 remaining in the third quarter but the Nets closed to 99-93 while he was resting in the fourth. Tatum returned and combined with Brown on a 7-0 run that pushed a seven-point lead to 109-95 with 5:38 to play.

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Sarah H

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