Strong second half propels Celtics to big win over Nets
Nikola Vucevic had 28 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes as the Boston Celtics pulled away in the second half for a 148-111 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
Boston, which had a six-point lead midway through the third quarter, outscored Brooklyn 82-54 in the second half.
The Celtics received 28 points, seven rebounds and nine assists from Jaylen Brown. Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score 22 points, and Derrick White added 12 points and seven assists.
Boston made 52 of 78 field-goal attempts (66.7%). The Celtics were 22 of 34 from 3-point range (64.7%). White, Brown and Pritchard each made four 3-pointers.
The Celtics, who scored at least 31 points in each quarter, are 10-2 in their last 11 games.
Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 18 points. Danny Wolf scored 16 and Nic Claxton finished with 12.
The outcome extended Brooklyn's losing streak to seven games.
A 10-0 run handed Boston a 26-15 advantage with 4:47 remaining in the opening quarter. The Celtics made each of their six 3-point attempts in the quarter and had a 35-32 lead after 12 minutes.
The Nets were within three points, 57-54, with 2:42 to play in the first half, but Boston held a 66-57 halftime lead.
The Celtics took control in the third, when they outscored the Nets 43-26. A 12-0 run put Boston up 94-76, and the Celtics had their first lead of at least 20 points when two Vucevic free throws made it 98-78 with 3:07 left in the quarter.
The Celtics led 109-83 at the end of the third, and pushed the lead to 34 by scoring the first eight points in the fourth. Boston's lead peaked at 41 points.
It was Boston's third victory in four games against Brooklyn this season.