Irving played unparalleled aggression on the offensive end, but failed to help the team get off to the playoffs, trailing the Boston Celtics in a 0-1 series. Durant took the initiative to take responsibility after the game, once saying that he deviated from the original rhythm under the tight defense of his opponent and would return to G2. In fact, the Boston Celtics' roster is not bad, they also sit on a double probe combination, and smart starters like Smart and Horford can stand up for the team's difficult moments.
The Nets' first playoff game of the season, they suffered from Tatum's kill, and it was indeed a bit embarrassing. However, the more powerful the opponent, the more the Nets can recognize their shortcomings and develop in a better direction. A loss in one game doesn't mean everything, and the Nets have another chance to take back the initiative in the next game of the series. So, this G2 showdown that ushered in the first round of the playoffs, what kind of posture should Irving and Durant take to face the Green Army's double probe flower?
At the beginning of the game, the Nets, who were playing away from home, quickly entered the state and got the initiative to lead the score. Although Irving's form is not very good, Durant has shown his extraordinary side, giving 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in the 12 minutes of the first quarter. Bruce Brown also stepped forward, sending 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block to help the team take a 9-point lead with a 33-24 score.
At the same time, the Green shirts side of the tanding flower combination has been dudded, before the completion of the whistle kill, Tatum, 5 shots in a single quarter, Jaylen Brown is only a single quarter 2 shots 1, sending 3 points and 1 steal. After achieving a feat of domination at the beginning, the Nets, who entered the second quarter of the showdown, were able to follow the trend and further widen the point difference between the two teams. Dragic, who came off the bench, showed his might, delivering 13 points and 1 rebound at the cost of three fouls in a single quarter, once again helping the team to play a 32-31 score, successfully expanding the point difference to double digits.
At the end of the first half, the Nets led the Greenshirts by a crucial 10-pointer at 65-55. Durant delivered on his promise, playing the stats that a superstar player should have, making seven shots at halftime and delivering a full statistic of 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Nash no longer seems obsessed with putting eggs in one basket, giving the other role players in the team plenty of opportunities in the first half. Brown's 12-point performance in a single quarter is undoubtedly one of the highlights, and Dragic's 13-point contribution in the second quarter on the bench confirms this.
As the starting point guard for the Heat that year, Dragic's playoff performance has been stable, and if it were not for his age, the Heat would never have sent him away as a chip. Halfway through the game, the Nets had a double-digit lead with the concerted efforts of the players on the team, and winning the game should be a foregone conclusion.