Game 1 is usually considered the game in a playoff series that is the feel-out game. After watching the first game of this series, the Nets and Celtics were not feeling out each other both teams went full throttle to deliver one of the best Game 1 in a playoff series in recent memory. The game produced incredible shot-making, compelling drama, and off the basketball court. In this article, we review the major takeaways from game 1 and make a quick preview of game 2.
1. Jayson Tatum outplayed Kevin Durant on the night- Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant played for Team USA at the Olympics this past summer and developed a bond in capturing the gold medal. Durant is an unstoppable force on the basketball court but the Celtics did a brilliant job slowing down Durant through physical play. When Durant caught the ball, the Celtics didn’t give him space, played with active hands, and forced him into tough shots. Durant struggled by his standards scoring 23 points, going 9 of 24 from the field and 1 of 5 from three-pointers. The young protégé in Tatum started the game getting his teammates involved with seven assists in the first half. Then, in the second half, he took the decisive move to score the basketball and build a 15-point lead in the third quarter. He finished the game off with the incredible sequence of closing out on Durant for a three-point miss and then making the spinning lay-up to win the game for his first buzzer-beating winner.
2. Kyrie Irving’s incredible performance vs hostile Boston home crowd- In the preview of this series, I anticipated this as a major storyline to watch in this matchup. The Celtics’ home crowd booed anytime Irving touched the ball and did everything possible to throw the player off his game. To his credit, Kyrie never allowed the raucous atmosphere to affect him. Irving thrived and excelled by pouring 39 points in the game and willing his team from behind to take the lead in the fourth quarter. After the game, Kyrie said he embraced the dark side in responding to the vitriol dished out by the crowd. Irving will be fined by the league office for his actions before and after the game. However, he sent the message loud and clear that he is not backing down.
3. Celtics’ secondary stars were the key in the game-superstar players ultimately decide playoff games. However, the reality is that the deciding factor in these games is the supporting cast. The Celtics were led to victory because of the contributions of Marcus Smart and Al Horford. Marcus scored 20 points, was 8 of 17 from the field, and tallied six assists in the contest. Smart’s impact often cannot be measured in the box score with his brilliance on the defensive end and making the right play such as the last assists to Tatum to win the game. With Robert Williams missing, the 35-year-old Al Horford turned back the clock and stepped up in a big way by scoring 20 points, an efficient 8 of 13 from the field, and 15 rebounds.
4. Celtics dominated the paint, and the glass-Bruce Brown declared that without Robert Williams in the lineup, the Nets would attack Daniel Theis and Al Horford inside the paint. However, in Game 1, the duo answered the call, and the Nets struggled in stopping the Celtics inside the paint. The Celtics outrebounded the Nets 43-29 and outscored them in the paint 56 to 32. If this continues, the Celtics will have a good chance of capturing this series.
5. Questions to be answered in game 2- after the epic game 1, Steve Nash has a lot of questions that require an answer to even this series. The first question is, how will they get Kevin Durant more room on the floor to operate? Will he give LaMarcus Aldridge or Blake Griffin some minutes to help win the battle in the paint? After a hot start in the first half, can he get Seth Curry more open shots from beyond the arc or give Patty Mills more game time? The coach is under the microscope to make the needed adjustment in strategy and roster management.
Prediction-Most basketball analysts are predicting a virtuoso performance from Kevin Durant to lead the Nets to victory. However, I think the key for the Celtics is limiting 1 of the 2 superstar duo. I think it will be hard for Kyrie to match his game 1 output, and I think the combination of Derrick White, Grant Williams, and Daniel Theis will play better offensive games in game 2 at home. I have the Celtics winning 113-109.