Before the night began, the Boston Celtics were already viewed as the best team in the NBA. Then, on Wednesday night, they erased all doubts anyone may have had left.
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It all took place at TD Garden, where the Celtics routed the Brooklyn Nets 136-86, with Boston outscoring their opponent 68-32 in the first half of play. This defeat not only was one of Boston’s most convincing wins of the season, it also etched their name in the NBA history books.
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Joe Mazzulla’s Boston Celtics become first team with two 50-point wins in NBA history
Not only did Joe Mazzulla record his 100th win as an NBA head coach while his Boston Celtics handed the Brooklyn Nets their second-worst loss in franchise history, he also did something no other coach has ever done.
Payton Pritchard scored 28 points, with Derrick White chipping in 27, along with Jayson Tatum scoring 20, but the real story was the score. How often do we see teams outscore their opponent by 50 points? Keep in mind that the Nets aren’t exactly bottom-feeders; they’re still fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, even if they’re not viewed as top contenders.
Yet, the Celtics’ win makes them the only team in NBA history ever to have two 50-point wins in a single season, and it’s only the fifth time in franchise history they’ve toppled an opponent by 50. At one point, the Nets even trailed by 56.
As one might imagine, Nets players were not happy with the way they lost, in embarrassing fashion.
Mikal Bridges: “We got best by 50. It's not just let it go. A lot of sh1t is not right. And you got to fix it.” #nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) February 15, 2024
Dennis Schroder, who recently arrived in Brooklyn via trade, said, “They kicked our ass tonight.” Just from looking at the scoreboard, it’s hard to argue with either takes. The Celtics really did kick ass, and now they’re in the history book.
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