The Boston Celtics didn’t just beat the Brooklyn Nets; they overwhelmed them in every imaginable way.
Boston delivered a historic offensive performance in a 148-111 demolition, shooting a jaw-dropping 66.7% from the field and an unreal 64.7% from three-point range. The Celtics led for 95% of the game and built a lead that ballooned to 41 points at its peak. From the opening tip, this felt less like a competitive matchup and more like a clinic.
Here are five major takeaways from one of the most efficient offensive nights you’ll ever see at the NBA level.
1. A Shooting Display That Borders On Unreal
Boston’s numbers don’t even look real.
They finished 52-78 from the field (66.7%), including 22-34 from three (64.7%). To put that into perspective, most teams consider 50% from the floor and 40% from three-point range. The Celtics obliterated both benchmarks. They averaged 1.90 points per shot attempt, an absurd offensive return.
Seven different Celtics hit at least one three-pointer, and five players made multiple threes. The ball never stuck. The extra pass was always made. Boston assisted on 38 of their 52 made field goals, that’s 73% of their baskets coming via assists, a sign of total offensive cohesion.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn shot a respectable 48.9% overall and 41.2% from three – numbers that normally keep you competitive. But when your opponent is flirting with 70% shooting for four quarters, it simply doesn’t matter.
2. Jaylen Brown’s All-Around Masterclass
Jaylen Brown was in complete control from start to finish.
Brown poured in 28 points on 9-12 shooting and a perfect 4-4 from three. He added 6-10 from the free-throw line, seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and a block in just 30 minutes. He was a +25 in his minutes and barely looked like he broke a sweat.
What stands out most is the efficiency. Brown didn’t force shots. He picked his spots, attacked mismatches, and punished Brooklyn whenever they sent late help. His nine assists also reflect how locked in he was as a playmaker, collapsing the defense and spraying the ball out to shooters.
When your best player scores 28 on 75% shooting while flirting with a triple-double, you’re almost impossible to beat. When the rest of the roster shoots like this? It becomes a landslide.
3. The Bench Completely Broke The Game Open
Boston’s starters set the pace. The bench finished things off.
Nikola Vucevic exploded for 28 points and 11 rebounds in just 25 minutes. He finished the game 9-13 from the field, 3-3 from beyond the arc, and 7-7 from the free throw line. He ended the game a staggering +35 and dominated second-unit minutes.
Payton Pritchard also finished the game with 22 points, shooting an incredible 9-12 and 4-5 from 3 in 28 minutes. He had a staggering +40, the highest plus minus of the night. Every time Brooklyn tried to find a rhythm, Pritchard was there to pull up with a 3 or quick trigger jumper to answer.
Boston’s bench is the better and more classy team than Brooklyn’s. The depth the Celtics had allowed them to consistently stay on the offensive for 48 minutes with no drop off. If anything, when the second unit came in, the pace just kept increasing.
4. Derrick White Ran The Show
Derrick White was the quiet driving force behind it all.
In 32 minutes, White had 12 points, 7 assists, 4 made threes, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover. He shot 4-9 and 4-8 from 3, picking up perfect spacing, and running the offense. Boston had 38 assists and 52 made field goals, and White was a big contributor to the movement. The Celtics continually drove-and-kicked for threes and backdoor cuts.
The backcourt of the Nets couldn’t get stops. Michael Porter Jr. had 18 points and was a -23, and Nic Claxton had 12 points and 4 rebounds but couldn’t protect the rim. When it comes to Boston’s spacing and shooting almost 64.7% from 3, rim protection loses value.
5. Total Control From Start To Finish
This was a total domination game from the get-go. Boston had 39 rebounds to Brooklyn’s 25, and 32 defensive rebounds to 16. The Nets shot 68.8% from the line and had trouble rotating Boston’s defense. The Celtics also demonstrated solid defense and made 9 steals and 7 blocks.
The largest score difference was 41 points, and Brooklyn was only in the lead for 1% of the game. Both teams had about the same number of turnovers, with Brooklyn committing 11 and Boston committing 12, but the gaps in efficiency were crazy. The Celtics converted almost every open shot opportunity into points.
Shooting 66.7% overall and 64.7% from 3 with 38 total assists as a team is not just a good night; that is bordering on insane and historic for even today’s game. That kind of efficiency is almost unheard of.
If Boston can keep up 80% of the pace and quality of play from this game, they will run away with games and leave the competition in the dust by halftime.
