BOSTON – The Boston Celtics were in control most of the first half, but the Brooklyn Nets managed to stay within striking distance most of the first half which ended with the Celtics ahead, 64-58.
It was a high-scoring first half, the kind that one of the league’s top defenses shouldn’t experience.
But it is the first game of the season and the Celtics clearly have some kinks defensively to work out.
The Celtics led by as many as 13 points in the first half with contributions coming from several players in the starting unit as well as off the bench.
Boston has spent a good chunk of the preseason preaching the importance of good ball movement.
It was indeed on full display as Boston had 19 assists in the first half on 23 made baskets.
As for the Nets, Bogan Bogdanovic kept Brooklyn within striking distance most of the first half as he tallied 10 points through the first two quarters of play. Brooklyn also got a nice lift from Justin Hamilton who had 14 first-half points off the Brooklyn bench.
Boston Celtics
Here are our halftime Stars, Studs and Duds
STARS
Isaiah Thomas
Thomas was a more assertive player in the second quarter and it paid off for the him and the Celtics. He finished the half with a team-high 11 points in addition to doling out a game-high seven assists.
Jae Crowder
Boston displayed some crisp ball movement in the first half, and Crowder seemed to benefit from this more than any other Celtic. Through two quarters of play, Crowder has a team-high 10 points which included him making his first four shots from the floor.
STUDS
Sean Kilpatrick
The Nets only have five players on their roster from last season’s disastrous 21-win club, and Kilpatrick showed why he’s one of the few holdovers. At the half, he had nine points off the bench to go with three rebounds.
DUDS
Brook Lopez
He’s supposed to be the Nets’ best player, but you would not have known this by his play in the first half, The 7-foot Lopez was a non-factor through the first two quarters of lay, missing four of his five field goal attempts to go into the half with just three points.