The Boston Celtics took a 3-0 lead over the Nets in the NBA Playoffs on Saturday, prompting dreams of a sweep and criticism of Brooklyn.
When Game 1 ended with a thrilling buzzer-beater, it looked like the Celtics and Nets were heading for an instant classic in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
The games have stayed close but Brooklyn has yet to hit back. If they don’t do it in Game 4, they’ll be heading home.
After Saturday’s 109-103 road victory for the Celtics, fans in Boston were ready to get out their brooms while NBA fans, in general, had comments to make about the state of the two teams.
Celtics fans gloated and the Nets took a beating on Twitter after Game 3
Nets and Knicks about to have the same amount of playoff wins? pic.twitter.com/LcA0F8k6Sa
— Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 (@Kazeem) April 24, 2022
The Nets have only won 1 playoff series in the KD/Kyrie era pic.twitter.com/AzDFOTVLdV
— jawn brown (@noyoucantsayhi) April 24, 2022
Nets are down 0-3 against Boston since #Nets fans chanted “We want Boston” 😬 #BleedGreen #NetsLevel
— TWSN (@TWSN___) April 24, 2022
pic.twitter.com/Zn4QVHqnvu
The Nets are looking at BEN SIMMONS to save them... its over
— cryptic incognito (@CrypticNoHoes) April 24, 2022
Hey @stephenasmith are you there? I tried to tell ya old ass after Game 1 and Game 2 that the Celtics were punking KD. I’ll see you Tuesday morning homeboy. Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 24, 2022
“KD & Kyrie are the most skilled duo in NBA history”
— Makuac (@i_am_makuac) April 24, 2022
Celtics: pic.twitter.com/JBiba22iXB
Are the Celtics…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………good??
— Boston Diehards (@Boston_Diehards) April 24, 2022
Celtics built something organically (Tatum, Brown, Smart and Williams all drafted by Boston) that suddenly looks like a superteam. Tons of long, switchy defenders. Tatum playing like a borderline top 5 player. Brown with plenty of killer instinct too. This team is a great story.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) April 24, 2022
Celtics ain’t playin wit em
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) April 24, 2022
Saturday’s action featured another huge outing from Jayson Tatum, whose leadership has driven Boston to the verge of a sweep. He dropped 39 points with five rebounds, six assists and six steals, making up for his five turnovers.
The Celtics’ defense stifled Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who both settled for 16 points. That left Bruce Brown to lead the Nets with 26 points. Irving went 0-for-7 from three-point range while Durant had five turnovers.
As Twitter users pointed out en masse, Brooklyn may have the star power but the Celtics team has neutralized them with stingy defense and standout performances from Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Boston will look to complete the sweep on Monday in Game 4 but they’ll once again be on the road. Durant, Irving and possibly Ben Simmons will be playing for their playoff lives while looking to avoid another deeply disappointing campaign’s end.