Ford Keys to the Game: Nets at Celtics

Nets 104, Celtics 96

Game Highlights

Photo of the Game

Nate Robinson lowers his shoulder to drive along the baseline past Keyon Dooling.
Elsa/Getty Images

By Marc D'Amico
Celtics.com

Key Moment

After trailing by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter, it was the Celtics' turn to stage a comeback in the final period.

Just when everyone thought the game was over with, a Ray Allen 3-pointer finished off a Celtics run that cut the deficit from 18 to six in only 3:07 of playing time. New Jersey came back down court looking to extend the lead, but Boston's shutdown defense forced Brook Lopez into a missed jumper from 10 feet, and the C's were off to the races.

At the other end, Allen was found again waiting to fire up a three from the right wing, a shot that would have blown the roof off of the Garden had it fallen. But he misfired on this 3-pointer at the 1:40 mark of the fourth, and the Nets had another shot to extend their lead.

Kris Humphries established shop just outside the right block, and while he spun to the baseline away from Boston's swarming defense, he apparently traveled before putting up a made layup. Despite Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett and the rest of the Celtics' complaints, no violation was called and Humprhies' layup put the Nets ahead by eight with only 1:28 remaining in the game.

Allen's 3-pointer could have made it a one-possession game, but his miss, combined with the Humphries layup, resulted in a five-point swing that ended the Celtics' chances of a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback.

Key Box Score Line

Kevin Garnett was by far the best Celtic on the floor tonight, finishing with a game-high 26 points on 12-of-16 shooting from the floor. He looked like the classic KG at times, swishing jumpers, snagging shots out of the air post-whistle and blocking shots on help defense. On a night where many of the other Celtics struggled to score, Garnett stepped up with some serious offensive firepower.

Box Score Nuggets

• Three Nets scored at least 20 points, led by Brook Lopez's 25.
• Marquis Daniels scored 16 points filling in for Paul Pierce in the starting lineup
• Boston recorded more points in the paint, more second chance points and more fast break points, but still lost the game.
• New Jersey made twice as many 3-pointers as Boston (six compared to three) while taking six less attempts from downtown.
• Boston shot only 3-of-19 from 3-point range.
• Rajon Rondo tied a season high with 17 assists.
• The Celtics shot 50 percent from the field, compared to only 44.4 percent from New Jersey.
• The Nets took 41 free throws (34 were made), while Boston took only 11 (nine were made).
• Kendrick Perkins finished with only two points and two rebounds.
• Kris Humphries scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench for the Nets. He also took 10 free throws, making seven.
• Two Nets reserves scored 11 points (Humphries and Keyon Dooling).
• The Celtics racked up 32 assists on 42 made field goals.
• New Jersey recorded only 15 assists, but committed 16 turnovers.
• Boston outrebounded New Jersey 41-35.

Quote of the Night

Doc Rivers on the difference between the first and second halves for both teams: "We got out, I think it was 12-2, and then I thought that the turnover right after that [and] the three-point play got them back to 12-6, changed the game early. But then after that, you know, you get a team that's desperate and has a chance to win and beat us, they came to life."