Despite the assessments and interpretations, it seems that the series between Boston and Brooklyn will end earlier than expected.
The Celtics, who are already leading 0: 3, came close in the morning (Sunday) to a particularly surprising sweep after 103: 109 away over the Nets, who once again had a hard time in front of the visitors' iron defense.
Who again managed to disappoint was Kevin Durant, who threw just 11 shots from the field and never tried to score a basket in the last 11 minutes of the game.
The Nets star finished his lukewarm evening with just 16 points alongside 8 assists and 8 rebounds.
Kyrie Irving also failed to shine, scoring 6 of 17 from the field and finishing with 0 of 7 from three on the way to 16 personal points.
Laying it all on the line pic.twitter.com/EB1ScuokwM
- Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 24, 2022
On the green-and-white side, Jason Taitum continued exactly where he left off and after the basket of victory in the first game, the star provided another statement of intent with a personal record in the playoffs of 39 points, 6 steals, 6 assists and 5 rebounds.
One who had a hard time ignoring Durant and Taitum's symbolic evening was Celtics legend Paul Pierce, who claimed it was a shift change in the best league in the world.
"I believe we see before our eyes how Taitum overtakes KD in the NBA hierarchy."
W secured ✅ pic.twitter.com/H4bIUXpU9H
- Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 24, 2022
Boston coach Aime Yuduka also did not spare compliments: "I think Taitum does not get enough credit for his defense. With him we are the No. 1 defense team in the league, do not forget that in this series he takes on a big challenge in keeping Durant. He was fantastic all season and Of course in this series. "
HYPE 🗣 pic.twitter.com/w5BKC09gBC
- Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 24, 2022
Taitum himself analyzed his improvement graph in the league: "In my first year, my body was still not very developed. Since then I have become very strong and over time I got many minutes thanks to my defense. I realized that way I would be a more complete player. I wanted to be on the field, so I To specialize in this field .. ".
On the other hand, Kevin Durant, who averages just 22 points per game, scoring just 36.5 percent and losing close to six balls per game, tried to explain what was not working for him: "Boston keeps me tight, it's trying to get me out of my game. I'm not I think I should force or force myself on the game. "
Kevin Durant this series:
- 23 Points, 37% FG, 6 Turnovers
- 27 Points, 23% FG, 6 Turnovers
- 16 Points, 54% FG, 5 Turnovers pic.twitter.com/bU49aaRzm9
- Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 24, 2022
Durant went on to share: "I may think too much, it happens to me sometimes in the league. I just have to get on the floor and play my game, without thinking too much. Despite everything, we still have a chance to correct and I'm really looking forward to it."
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