Nets Blasted by Celtics for 9th Straight Loss, Knicks Also Stumble Again
CELTICS 126 – NETS 91 The season really is coming apart at the seams for the Brooklyn Nets. A ninth straight loss, and another game without any member of the…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: Cam Thomas #24 of the Brooklyn Nets is defended by Aaron Nesmith #26 of the Boston Celtics in the second half at Barclays Center on February 08, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
CELTICS 126 - NETS 91
The season really is coming apart at the seams for the Brooklyn Nets. A ninth straight loss, and another game without any member of the "Big Three" on the court for Brooklyn produced a lopsided 126-91 loss to the Boston Celtics, Tuesday night. At 29-25 the Nets have sunk like a stone, are the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Were the postseason to start today, the Nets would be hosting a one-game, win-and-your-in playoff against the Charlotte Hornets.
Since Durant went on the injury list with a MCL sprain, Brooklyn has lost 10 of its last 12. It hasn't helped that James Harden, the subject of many trade rumors was out with a knee injury. Kyrie Irving still can't play home games unless he is vaccinated against COVID-19.
All of this was prologue to a 28-2 deficit the Nets faced in the first quarter against Boston. The Nets didn't score their second bucket of the game until there was 3:46 to go in the opening quarter. Brooklyn was 1-for-15 from the floor during the opening stretch, and wound up shooting only 37 percent from the field for the entire game.
Meanwhile, the struggles continue for the New York Knicks who were blown out on the road at Denver, 132-115.
Denver had back-to-back quarters of scoring 40-plus, and carried an 83-60 lead into halftime. The Knicks got as close as 13-points with 6:31 to go in the game when Obi Toppin made a 23-foot three pointer, but Nikola Jokic nailed a jump-shot and a pair of free throws to push the lead back out to 17-points, all but ending any hope of a late Knicks rally.
New York is now 24-31 on the year. They have lost four in a row and 10 of their last 12. It won't get easier on Thursday when they square off with the NBA's best team: the Golden State Warriors.
