The Brooklyn Nets have their backs to the wall following losing Game 3 to Boston. Kevin Durant in particular left a mysterious impression in the 103:109 defeat. The superstar was then self-critical.
Durant only scored 16 points and was completely ineffective, especially in the second half, like in the previous game. The 33-year-old only has an average of 22 points over the series with a miserable rate (36.5 percent) and is clearly struggling with Boston’s strong defense.
“I’ve been thinking too much, the whole series, to be honest,” Durant admitted following the game. In the first two games he tried too hard to force it, in game 3 he was very busy trying to find the balance between scoring and passing.
“On any team, you’re constantly trying to find the best way to play,” explained the two-time Finals MVP. “I want to be the best version of myself and not get in the way of my teammates. Sometimes I think regarding it too much. Sometimes I just have to go out there, not think at all and play.”
Even more than Durant’s throwing problems, the Nets struggle with their susceptibility to errors and their ball losses, head coach Steve Nash also highlighted this problem. Brooklyn has had 48 turnovers over three games, Durant had 12 of them. Veteran Blake Griffin said following Game 3 the team “didn’t play with the right spirit”.
Kyrie Irving wants to ‘put on bulletproof vest’
However, Kyrie Irving showed sympathy for his star colleague’s problems following the game and noted that he had had similar games before. “Now is not the time to point fingers,” Irving said. “Now we just have to go back home and put on our bulletproof vests.”
Irving also emphasized what he believes is the Celtics’ advantage in the series so far. Boston found themselves as a team around Christmas, but the Nets didn’t. “I don’t want to use clichés, but I don’t know how to make up for lost time from October to now,” said Irving.
The 30-year-old had missed large parts of the regular season because he did not want to be vaccinated once morest the corona virus and it was long forbidden in New York to take part in home games without being vaccinated.
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Brooklyn Nets (3-0)
| Spiel | Datum | time | Heim | away | result |
| 1 | 17. April | 9:30 p.m | Boston Celtics | Brooklyn Nets | 115:114 |
| 2 | 21. April | 1 O ‘clock | Boston Celtics | Brooklyn Nets | 114:107 |
| 3 | 24. April | 1:30 | Brooklyn Nets | Boston Celtics | 103:109 |
| 4 | 26. April | 1 O ‘clock | Brooklyn Nets | Boston Celtics | – |
| 5* | 28. April | TBD | Boston Celtics | Brooklyn Nets | – |
| 6* | 30. April | TBD | Brooklyn Nets | Boston Celtics | – |
| 7* | 1st May | TBD | Boston Celtics | Brooklyn Nets | – |
*if necessary