The Boston Celtics might be struggling for momentum as they head into Game 2 against the Brooklyn Nets, but they aren't scared of Brooklyn's “Big Three.”
Celtics big man Tristan Thompson defiantly stated Boston is not intimidated by the star power on the Nets roster:
“I mean, listen, if you have a team with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, you better step on the court feeling good about yourself,” Thompson said Monday, via ESPN's Tim Bontemps. “But we don't give a s— about that. At the end of the day, they put their socks on and their shoes on just like us. So, we're not intimidated or anything like that.”
The Celtics might at least have had more star power to match Brooklyn if not for Jaylen Brown being out after undergoing season-ending wrist surgery. Instead, they will have to grind to beat a Nets team that appears to have a pretty concrete edge in the talent department.
Boston hung tough with Brooklyn in the first half of Saturday's series opener, locking down on defense and actually heading into the break with a 53-47 lead. However, the Nets roared ahead with a 31-20 third quarter, putting the finishing touches on the contest by outscoring the Celtics 26-20 in the final period.
The Celtics are going to need to find more offense if they hope to win the series, particularly without Brown on the floor. Jayson Tatum cannot carry the load every night. Guys like Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier and even Thompson will likely need to get more involved.
It will be an uphill battle for Thompson and the Celtics, but the veteran big man says there's no quit in his team.
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