The Brooklyn Nets are down 2-0 in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. But, they are now heading home to Barclays Center and hoping that will turn their fortunes around.
The Nets hung with the Celtics in both games in Boston, losing on a buzzer-beater in Game 1. In Game 2, they led by as many as 17 points but were blitzed in the second half, as the Celtics outscored them 59-42.
It was quite a defensive showing for the Celtics, who have thus far shut down Kevin Durant. Durant is shooting 31.7 percent from the field and 28.6 percent on 3-point attempts. He is still leading the team in scoring, averaging 25 points per game, a majority of which have come at the free-throw line.
Free throws are the only time that the Celtics are not allowed to get physical with Durant. That level of physicality and throwing the Nets sets off is why the Celtics have found success, according to Durant.
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“They playing 2, 3 guys on me sometimes I’m off the ball, mucking up actions when I run off stuff, I see Horford leaving his man to come over to hit me sometimes. 2 or 3 guys hit me wherever I go, that’s the nature of the beast in the playoffs,” Durant said.
“They did a good job of forcing me away, helping in the paint, I just gotta be more fundamental on my moves, feel like some shots went in-and-out for me today but I still gotta be- I played fast, turned the ball [over] I just gotta slow down and play my game. But they did a good job of making me see bodies.”
The postseason is a different monster than the regular season and Ime Udoka has done a great job getting his guys ready. As a former member of the Nets’ coaching staff, he has some inside knowledge of how to slow them down and is putting it to good use in this series.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Could Nets Make Series Comeback vs. Celtics In 2022 NBA Playoffs?
Nets head coach Steve Nash has to provide some counters to what the Celtics are doing. But, there is only so much a coach can do from the sidelines when a team is executing their game plan and being as physical as the Celtics are.
“I think they’re being physical. They’re upping into him, grabbing him, holding him, all that stuff you come to expect,” Nash said.
Some of the shots that Kevin Durant has missed in the first two games of the series are ones that he would usually make, but the Boston Celtics have done a great job of knocking him out of rhythm. It is up to Nash to figure out some things to help get Durant back on track.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Could Nets Make Series Comeback vs. Celtics In 2022 NBA Playoffs?
The Brooklyn Nets will be back out there on Saturday afternoon for Game 3. Maybe some home cooking will be what Kevin Durant needs to get back on track and help lead his team to their first win of the series.
