NEW YORK (AP) – Kyrie Irving scored 40 points to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 121-109 win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday.
James Harden finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds for Brooklyn, which improved to 25-13 with its 12th win in 13 games. Landry Shamet had 18 points and backup Jeff Green had 11. Joe Harris had 12 points and the Nets won without Kevin Durant and newcomer Blake Griffin.
Jayson Tatum had 31 points for Boston, which had its four-game winning streak interrupted. Marcus Smart contributed 19 in his return from injury, Daniel Theis contributed 17 and Jaylen Brown, 13.
The first meeting between the two Atlantic Division rivals since Christmas served to accentuate the gulf between the two teams. Especially in the fast-paced Brooklyn attack.
The Nets started the fourth quarter with an 88-86 lead, but in just over three minutes they were 100-90 still with Irving on the bench.
After Boston reduced the distance to five points after a Tatum basket, Irving and Joe Harris jumped back onto the court and the Nets edged their rival 21-14 in the final stretch of the game.
