Recap: Avery Bradley’s first-half show isn’t enough, C’s fall to Nets

The Celtics fell to Paul Pierce and the  Nets 114-98 tonight in Brooklyn.

I commend your loyalty if you decided to tune in to the current Celtics instead of the future ones; if you chose the latter, I don’t blame you. That said, watching Avery Bradley put on a show was a nice to see, especially since it comes only a day after Danny Ainge reiterated his intentions to keep him around long-term.

The first quarter was a quick one, as neither team seemed interested in slowing their offense down. Despite leading only 34-28, Brooklyn shot 68% from the field, led mostly by Joe Johnson and Mason Plumlee, who combined to shoot 6-7 from the field for 16 points. With 10 points, Jeff Green kept the C’s in striking distance until Avery Bradley took over.

And take over he did. Bradley, after spending a few minutes in the locker room with an ankle injury, poured in 18 points in the second quarter alone and (23 total in the first half). He shot 10-13 from the field and 3-5 from deep. If we’re talking about the future, the Rondo-Bradley backcourt is looking better everyday. If you asked me an hour before the game, I’d have told you to draft Marcus Smart and let Bradley walk this summer. So yeah, don’t listen to me.

With that said, the Nets managed to hold their own and put up 30 more points in the second quarter to keep their distance, and a 64-54 lead.

Brooklyn kept their collective foot on the throttle through the third and into the fourth. Rookie Mason Plumlee stayed efficient, scoring 16 points on 6-7 shooting. Joe Johnson proved why he’s the League’s highest paid spot up shooter: He dropped 27 easy points and finished the night +20.

Sidenote: Has Jared Sullinger officially landed himself in some sort of a doghouse? He had only played about 11 minutes through the first three-quarters, before playing a bunch of borderline garbage time in the fourth. His Ohio State Buckeyes did get upset by Dayton yesterday, maybe he’s just in Sad Sully mode.

The Nets closed things out without much of a second half fight from the C’s. Avery Bradley finished with only five second half points, but you can’t blame the loss on him — he was great. Even though his defense on Joe Johnson wasn’t great, Johnson presents a tough matchup for Bradley, he’s got a ton of size on AB. I’d say Bradley made up for it with his own shooting.

The C’s have lost seven straight road games.

The Green

• Avery Bradley’s first half: Bad ankle and all, the kid’s offense has come a long way. 23 points on 10-13 shooting.
• Rondo put up another double-double: 12 points and 12 assists. Although he did shoot only 3-10 from the field.
• This is the last time we have to play Paul Pierce before he resigns with the Celtics this summer…Right!?

The Gross

• About three minutes into the game, Avery Bradley came down awkwardly on his right ankle, although it didn’t appear to be a big deal.
• 62 points in the paint for the Nets. 62! Let’s get some size this summer.
• The Nets shot 52.9% from deep (9-17). For comparison: C’s shot 9-27.

The Greenlights

Wiggins with the strong finish earlier today. Still dreamin’.

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The grid

• Brookyln had 30 assists to the C’s 20.
• Both teams had 11 turnovers.
• Brooklyn barely out-rebounded the C’s 39-37.

Boxscore.