NEW YORK (AP) — Isaiah Thomas scored 23 points, Avery Bradley had 22 and the Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets 111-92 on Wednesday night.
Al Horford added 17 points for the Celtics in their third straight victory. Jae Crowder had 15.
Sean Kilpatrick scored 23 points for the Nets, who have lost five in a row. Trevor Booker had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Bojan Bogdanovic added 14 points.
Boston raced to an 11-2 lead and was ahead 30-16 after one quarter, but the Nets answered with a 21-6 run and 12 points from Bogdanovic in the second quarter.
The Nets came all the way back to tie it at 60 in the third, but the Celtics then went on a 19-6 run to regain control.
Kilpatrick scored 13 points in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough for Brooklyn.
TIP-INS
Celtics: Guard Marcus Smart has made an effort to add the floater to his game. “He’s worked on it quite a bit,” coach Brad Stevens said. “It was a major focus going into his second year and he got better at it and then he’s continued that focus now going into his third year. The best part about a floater is it’s got a chance of going in, but it also leads to a shot block attempt so you’ve got a chance to get a rebound.” . Demetrius Jackson and Jordan Mickey were inactive.
Nets: Brook Lopez is now the only player in the league with 20 or more 3-pointers and blocks. . Booker has matched his single-season career high with his fifth double-double of the season. . Jeremy Lin (strained left hamstring) and Caris LeVert (left foot rehab) were inactive.
LIN UPDATE
Coach Kenny Atkinson said there was “no specific time frame” for Lin’s return after he missed his ninth straight game.
“He’s just progressing as scheduled,” Atkinson said. “He’s anxious to play. We’re anxious to get him back, but we also understand the big picture long-term and, definitely, I think in these situations I know collectively we’re airing on the side of being cautious and smart.”
UP NEXT
Celtics: Host San Antonio on Friday in an afternoon start.
Nets: Visit Indiana on Friday. The Nets beat the Pacers last month for their first victory under Atkinson.
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