Celtics fans certainly had this date circled on their calendar as it was the first time the Celtics faced Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett since the pair was traded to the Brooklyn Nets this past offseason. The Nets haven't gotten off to the best start to the season, but were able to get past the Celtics, 104-96, Tuesday night at the Barclay's Center. It was just the seventh win of the year for the Nets.
Brooklyn jumped out to a 31-20 lead after the opening quarter and really never looked back, although the Celtics did cut the deficit to five late in the fourth. All five Celtics starters reached double-figures led by Avery Bradley's 22 points. Jeff Green added 19 while Jared Sullinger and Jordan Crawford contributed 15 with Brandon Bass finishing with 13 in the loss.
The Nets were led by Deron Williams and Brook Lopez had who 25 and 24 points respectively. Kevin Garnett had 11 points and nine rebounds and off the bench, in his first game back since suffering a hand injury, Paul Pierce scored four points and pulled down seven rebounds in 22 minutes.
The Celtics will return to actionWednesday night (7:30, CSNNE) in another reunion, this time with former coach Doc Rivers as he will return to TD Garden with his new team the Los Angeles Clippers.
What they'll be saying: Looking at strictly shooting percentages one would have thought the Celtics would've came out on top as they shot 44 percent from the field and 50 percent (11-of-22) from three-point range, but they were severely outrebounded, 34-25 and only received 12 points from their bench in their loss to the Nets. The team doesn't have much time to regroup as it might be an even more emotional night tomorrow night when Rivers will return to Boston after spending nine years with the team and then walking away from the team this offseason to take the job with the Clippers.
