The Nets came out strong and led the Celtics by 12 early in the second quarter at the IZOD Center Friday night. But they went almost six minutes without a field goal and the Celtics shot 10-13 in the period to lead by as many as seven and take a three-point lead into the break. The Nets went up eight late in the third, but they scored just nine points in the fourth quarter (three of them coming on a meaningless three from Jason Kidd) and the Celtics put them away in the final minutes. Josh Boone recorded his fourth career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, but his 0-for-6 contributed to a pitiful 9-for-24 performance from the line for the Nets. They were equally atrocious from the field, shooting 37 percent for the game. Kidd finished an assist short of a triple-double and Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 17 points.
- Boxscore - NBA.com
- Garnett leads Celtics to an 86-77 win over the Nets - AP
- Game Highlights (Video) - NBA.com
- Lawrence Frank Press Conference (Video) - YES Network
- Courtside Chatter (Video) - Chris Carrino & Jim Spanarkel - YES Network
- Nets Fade in Fourth as Celtics Take Over - Dave Caldwell - New York Times
- Nets Wear Down Late Against Celtics - Matt McQueeny - New Jersey Nets
- Nets show heart but miss a beat in the 4th - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
- Pierce makes a prediction - Dave D'Alessandro and David Waldstein - Star-Ledger
- Scalabrine knows look of a winner - David Waldstein - Star-Ledger
- A Stomach Turner - Al Iannazzone - In the 'Zzone
- Nets collapse in crunch time - Al Iannazzone - YES Network
- No Jersey barrier - Steve Bulpett - Boston Herald
- Team knows no better alternative - Steve Buckley - Boston Herald
- Flat Fourth Buries Nets - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Jersey Gets 'A' For Effort - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Boston pops Nets with 4th-quarter rally - Roger Rubin - New York Daily News
- Nets give Celtics a scare before losing, 86-77 - Al Iannazzone - The Record
- Kidd No. 5 in assists - Al Iannazzone - The Record
- Cousy thrilled Boston's back in hunt - Adrian Wojnarowski - Yahoo! Sports
- Boston’s Defense Wallops Nets - Celtics247
- Photo Gallery: New Jersey Nets vs. Boston Celtics - Bill Kostroun - AP
- Celtics Avoid Another Trip - Marc J. Spears - Boston Globe
- Rondo wrenches back in fall - Marc J. Spears - Boston Globe
- LIVE from the Izod Center -- It's Nets-Celtics! - Ben Couch - NBA Blogs
- No Quarter - Joe - Joe Netsfan