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Things might eventually get better for the Nets, but first, they're getting worse. They were already down three starters when they tipped off in Boston on Wednesday, and then lost two more, MarShon Brooks and Damion James, in an 89-70 Celtics victory.
James left the game in the second quarter with a sore right foot and did not return, while Brooks suffered a twisted left ankle early in the fourth. After the game, both said they were fine. Brooks had an X-ray that proved negative. James didn't need an X-ray. The Nets practice in Toronto Thursday and play the Raptors Friday night.
Led by Brooks, the Nets actually led the game by four early in the third quarter. But the Celtics then took control with a 21-6 run and led by as many as 24 in the fourth.
The Nets shot 41 percent from the field, hitting on just four of their 20 3-point attempts. Brooks scored 15 points in the first half, but the Celtics swarmed him after halftime and he finished with 17 points on 7-for-16 shooting. Jordan Farmar added 11 points and six assists, Anthony Morrow finally shot well (4-for-7), and Jordan Williams scored his first career points (4) and grabbed his first career rebounds (5) in seven minutes of play.
- Boxscore - NBA.com
- First Half Highlights (Video) - NBA.com
- Pierce triggers run, helps Celtics beat Nets 89-70 - AP
- Post Game Plus (Video) - Nancy Newman - YES Network
- From The Booth (Video) - Ian Eagle & Mike Fratello - YES Network
- Avery Johnson Press Conference (Video) - YES Network
- Mehmet Okur Interview (Video) - YES Network
- MarShon Brooks Interview (Video) - YES Network
- Celtics pound undermanned Nets - Fred Kerber - New York Post
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Rookie Brooks solid in his first NBA start - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Nets lose to Celtics, 89-70, as MarShon Brooks, Damion James suffer injuries - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
- Kris Humphries expects to return to Nets to play Toronto Raptors - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
- Nets, without injured Deron Williams, falter on the road, lose sixth straight against Celtics - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
- Short-handed Nets play tough, fall to Celtics, 89-70 - Andy Vasquez - The Record
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Wins and losses take back seat for Nets - Andy Vasquez - The Record
- Depleted Nets No Match Against Celtics - Peter May - New York Times
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MarShon Brooks Learning On The Fly With New Jersey Nets - Gethin Coolbaugh - SB Nation Boston
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Deron Williams upbeat after latest loss - Gregory Hrinya - Examiner
- Rapid Reaction: Celtics 89, Nets 70 - Chris Forsberg - ESPN Boston
- Rivers downplays Brooks chatter - Chris Forsberg & Greg Payne - ESPN Boston
- Five with 5: KG breaks down win - Chris Forsberg & Greg Payne - ESPN Boston
- Final: Celtics explode in second half to beat Nets, 89-70 - Lenny Nislin - Boston Globe
- Paul Pierce enjoying his new role - Lenny Nislin - Boston Globe
- Pierce puts Nets to rest - Mark Murphy - Boston Herald
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Marshon Brooks learns big lesson - Dan Duggan - Boston Herald
- Kris Humphries bears brunt of fans’ wrath - Dan Duggan - Boston Herald
- Brandon Bass in no passing zone - Steve Bulpett - Boston Herald
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PC’s Brooks making most of opportunity with Nets - Jim Fenton - Quincy Patriot-Ledger
- Celtics, with Pierce, rip shredded Nets - Bill Doyle - Worcester Telegram
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Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass Go on Scoring Sprees to Knock Down Nets 89-70 - Ben Watanabe - NESN