In an extremely exciting series, following a first game that boiled the TD Garden and fined Kirie Irving for lewd gesture towards a spectator, who was constantly shouted down by the “green people” throughout the game Wednesday night, Boston is therefore widening the gap with this clear round at home (114-107), to now lead 2-0.
It is thanks, in part, to a remarkable offensive collective and a formidable ability to react that Boston came out of it. With seven of the eight players entering the game with more than ten points, 52% success in shots on arrival, coach Ime Udoka was able to play as he pleased to orchestrate the offensive schemes, with Jayson Tatum as an inspiration (19 points and 10 assists) and an ubiquitous Jaylen Brown (22 pts, 6 assists, 3 steals).
The Irving-Durant duo at 1 of 17 on shots in the second half
Opposite, the Nets fell apart as the game progressed, following an aggressive start and 17-point lead as the end of the second quarter approached (45-62). The sequel was going to be radically different. With in particular a star tandem Kyrie Irving – Kevin Durant, totally nailed in the second half, with a catastrophic 1 out of 17 on cumulative shots!
The leader of the Nets did not know the same night as in game 1 (39 pts) and ended this game 2 with only 10 points (4/13 on shots). As for the triple Olympic gold medalist, he certainly scored 27 points (including 18 free throws), but at 4/17 on shots and without the slightest basket scored in the second half!
“They did a good job limiting my scoring. It’s up to me to find the solution.”, he said at the exit. Conversely, Jayson Tatum necessarily had the more perky tone. “It was a bit of an old-fashioned play-off match. We had to scratch it, we did. I’m proud of the guys and the way the team reacted throughout the game.”he noted, before the series now switches to Brooklyn.