Joe Netsfan Game x Game 6 - Celtics 112, Nets 101

Poking a hole in the Nets' hopes

Celtics 112, Nets 101
Game 6 File
An excellent start against the league's best thanks to inspired play by Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, but the Celtics open the door a crack before halftime thanks to Garnett, Pierce and Allen, then capitalize on a horrible start to the third quarter for the Nets to ice the win. A furious fourth quarter comeback narrows the defeat, but make no mistake, the C's were the better team.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 4 - 2
Home Record: 3 - 2
Away Record: 1 - 0
Division Record: 1 - 2
Conf. Record: 4 - 2
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 28.
• Assists: Jason Kidd, 12.
• Rebounds: Jason Kidd, 6.
• Steals: Antoine Wright, 2.
• Turnovers: Vince Carter, 2.
• Blocks: Kidd and Carter each had 2.
• FG Percentage: Sean Williams, 80.0% (4 - 5). Vince Carter was 8 - 13 (61.5%).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 44.6%
• FT Percentage: 81.1%
• Rebounds: 34
• Rebound Differential: -15
• Turnovers: 14
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 13
• Bench points: 37
• Bench points Differential:+17
• Steals: 5
• Blocks:10
• Points in the Paint: 34
• Double-Doubles: 1 (Jason Kidd: 17 points, 12 assists)
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 5
• Nets Fast Break Points: 8
• Kidd's FG Percentage: 35.7% (5 - 14).
• Scoring Differential Kidd in the game: -8
• Scoring Differential Kidd out: -3 (Armstrong)
• Double-Doubles this Season: 2
• Triple Doubles this Season: 1
• Career Triple Doubles: 88

Nets Media
Bergen Record | Nets
Newark Star-Ledger | Nets
Newsday | Nets
NY Daily News | NBA
NY Post | Nets
NY Times | Pro Basketball
YES Network | Nets

Nets Team Pages
CNNSI.com | Nets
ESPN.com | Nets
FoxSports | Nets
NBA.com | Nets
Sportsline.com | Nets

Celtics Media:
Boston Globe | Celtics
Boston Herald | Celtics

Game 6: Celtics 112, Nets 101 – November 10, 2007
Greenmail
At least the Nets didn't take the bribe until the third quarter.

Despite a fine showing in the first half by New Jersey, the Celtics got the payola they were looking for as their Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen took the money and ran in the third quarter to ice the win. A furious fourth quarter comeback was too little, too late for the Nets, who were forced into a nightmare third quarter by the Celtics and who proved to the NBA that they are a force to be reckoned with. And the final insult to the Nets dreams of playing at the Celtics level - Vince Carter left the game in the third quarter with what was called a sprained ankle.

From the start this one looked like the game of the young season, as Vince Carter, Richard Jeffeson and Jason Kidd were aggressively battling with the Celtics trio all through the first quarter. There was brilliance throughout, and with RJ netting 11 and Carter 8, the Nets held a one point lead after one. It would be tight throughout most of the second, too, as Allen's well-timed bombs, Pierce's all-around ball skills, and Garnett's inside smarts combined with ex-Net Eddie House's rainbows to negate any Net assault. The Nets fell apart in the last three minutes of the quarter, however, and found themselves staring at a seven point deficit at the half.

For the third quarter, it was all Celtics, all the time. Combining some impressive defense (the Nets had 6 turnovers and shot 0 - 9 to start) and offensive gifts (Pierce was particularly lethal), before the third quarter ended the Nets were down 23, had lost Carter (an ankle sprain after a particularly vicious dunk), and were looking absolutely hopeless. The ease in which the Celtics seemed to get any shot they wanted was particularly unnerving, especially for a team that has (once again) prided itself on defense. That check should have bounced for NJ, but there was still some fight left in the dog.

No, it only made things interesting, but the fourth quarter was the point at which the Nets decided to man-up and play some ball. A huge lift was given to an otherwise-ineffective front line by rookie Sean Williams, who came on and battled Garnett while running the floor with abandon. A grouping of Kidd, Darrell Armstrong, Boki Nachbar Wright, Sean Williams and Richard Jefferson stole some thunder from the suddenly out of kilter Celtics, and when Williams slammed home a beautiful 'oop from Kidd, things looked much rosier. But alas, the Nets eventually ran out of time on their comeback, getting as close as 8 points before things ended.

The loss leaves the Celtics as the undesputed kingpins of the Atlantic Division, at least for now. No rest for the weary, however, because the young and athletic Hornets are in town Monday night, before the rematch in Boston with the Celtics on Wednesday night.

Dirty Money
Money Laundering - Give the Celtics credit - their Big Three played a fabulous game (and a TON of minutes - hope that doesn't come back to haunt them in April) and they were better in almost every facet than the Nets' version. Ray Allen was scary from long range, Paul Pierce had that killer instinct, and Kevin Garnett looks like he wants to win it all. Combining for 73 points, 27 rebounds and 15 assists, 5 steals and 1 blocked shot (and averaging a whopping 44 minutes per game), they made it look easy with unselfishness. Best of all (for the C's), they got other minor players like Eddie House, Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis involved. Seems like a bad dream, having those three together.
Feeling Green - The Nets best wasn't good enough (or, perhaps, we haven't seen their best yet) to beat the Celtics. A large portion of that can be traced to the failings of the front liners. Nenad Krstic, Jason Collins and Jamaal Magloire combined for only 2 points, 7 rebounds and averaged only 14 minutes between them. The Nets also got pounded on the boards, which is no way to beat a KG-led team. If it wasn't for a measure of redemption from Sean Williams (he had 10 points, 4 rebounds and a +15 rating leading the comeback), it would be almost a total loss on the front line. Why not more minutes for Malik Allen? Could it have hurt?
Paycheck - Vince Carter earned his paycheck tonight, being more aggressive, making shots, and taking an active role in the Nets offense. But his ankle could be a sore spot for a team still trying to figure out its offense. Richard Jefferson again led the Nets in scoring tonight, going 14 - 15 at the line with drives to the hoop, but he can't do it all himself. Jason Kidd took a more active role (with 17 points), and there were a ton of 4Q points from Williams and Darrell Armstrong, but overall, the offense is still lacking, especially up front. If the Nets were only getting more from Krstic...(which is unrealistic to count on right now with his comeback from major knee surgery). Boki Nachbar ( 2 - 9) continues to struggle, and that doesn't help.
Count The Money - Defensively, the Nets certainly had their moments, especially in the first half, but the Celtics had too many open shots at the wrong times for it to be considered a success. The Nets did block 10 shots, including a few impressive ones on Rajon Rondo, but again they couldn't contain the Celtics shooters when it counted. The C's were 10 - 19 from behind the arc, so again that weakness shows it's ugly head. And give guys like Pierce (4- 7 from three) and Allen (4 - 8 from three) an open look, and it's usually money.
Out From Under - Josh Boone got 6 minutes of play tonight, only the second time all seaon. He wasn't effective (he was -8 doing battle with Garnett).
Finally, A Tip - The Nets finally won their first tip of the season tonight. And it didn't matter one bit.

Bribes, Rumors and Nasty Actions
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen outplayed Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, and Richard Jefferson. So the Celtics beat the Nets. More importantly, the C's role players outplayed the Nets role players for more than three quarters (but in not nearly as many minutes), and the big third quarter (which including contributions from Eddie House, Glen Davis and Rajon Rondo) dug the Nets a hole they couldn't escape. Boston was better tonight, perhaps something we should start getting used to around these parts this season. While the Nets held their own for perhaps three quarters, it's not enough. And when the Nets meet up with the C's again on Wednesday night, they'd better be packing some more firepower, or some more defense. Not enough of either won't get it done.
-Joe