BY: Wei Tang – Sports On Air Correspondent
BROOKLYN — Jayson Tatum exploded for 41 points to lead a scorching-hot Boston Celtics offense to beat the Brooklyn Nets, 118-110, on Tuesday night at Barclays Center.
Tatum, who had a blistering 31 points at halftime, finished 14 of 26 from the field and 5-of-11 from 3. Shooting 51.8 percent from the field overall, the Celtics put 72 points on the board in the first two quarters and the Nets couldn’t keep pace.
It was hardly a one-man show for the Celtics as all of their starters pitched in double figures in points.
Jaylen Brown scattered 19 points. Derrick White and had 16 apiece while Jrue Holiday directed the offense with 14 points and 12 assists.
“We got a really good team where in any given possession we have two, three advantages and it’s not always just going to be me,” Tatum said while emphasizing the need of having a great support cast.
“I need my teammates. I need everybody, we all need each other.”
One of the heavy favorites to win the title in June, the Celtics moved atop the overall standings with a 43-12 record. The defending champion Denver Nuggets are fourth in the Western Conference with a 36-19 slate.
Mikal Bridges topped the Nets with 27 points. Cam Thomas finished with 26 and 4 rebounds. The Nets dropped to 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a 21-33 card.
GAME NOTES: -Kristaps Porzingis did not play due to a lower back contusion. Horford took his place in the starting unit and did well with 16 and 6 boards while anchoring the Celtics’ rim protection.
In his second game as a Net, Dennis Schroder tallied 9 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
