The Boston Celtics have clinched their spot within the Japanese Convention semifinals after their 116-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets in Recreation 4 of their best-of-seven sequence. Jayson Tatum was incredible for Boston ending the win with 29 factors, 5 assists and three rebounds to paved the way for the Celtics. In the long run, Tatum’s effort coupled with the remainder of the contributions from the Celtics have been sufficient to carry off Kevin Durant’s monster sport for the Nets as he completed with 39 factors, 9 assists and 7 rebounds within the loss. 

Boston will now advance on to face the winner of the sequence between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls, which the Bucks at present lead by a 3-1 margin. There shall be loads of questions going through the Nets this offseason and it appears protected to say that they should take care of these questions a lot earlier than anybody had anticipated. 

Listed below are three main takeaways from Recreation 4.

1. A traditionally shut sweep

Let’s check out the margins of victory in every of the 4 video games inside this sweep:

Recreation 1: Celtics by 1

Recreation 2: Celtics by 7

Recreation 3: Celtics by 6

Recreation 4: Celtics by 4

That is 18 factors in 4 video games. Nic Claxton missed 18 free throws within the sequence. That is how small the hole was between these groups. A bit extra luck from the road, a few bounces for Brooklyn, and in one other world, the Nets may very well be the workforce sweeping the Celtics proper now.

None of that is meant to undermine the Celtics. If something, sweeping this particular Nets workforce in 4 shut video games is probably much more spectacular than doing it in 4 blowouts. Your complete benefit of getting Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is that your workforce ought to all the time be capable of generate a great shot within the half-court. It is among the finest shot-creating duos in NBA historical past, and with crunch-time so depending on half-court shot-creation, beating them within the clutch 4 instances is insanely spectacular.

However earlier than you fireplace off your jokes in regards to the Nets getting swept, simply bear in mind how shut this sequence actually was. The ultimate 18-point margin makes it the third-closest four-game sweep in NBA historical past, in response to ESPN Stats & Info. Solely the 2017 Cavaliers (over the Pacers) and the 1975 Warriors (over the Bullets) have been nearer, and each had only a 16-point margin.

There’s a probability, albeit a small one, that Boston wins the championship with out ever enjoying a sequence that’s this shut when it comes to level differential. They might not sweep each spherical they usually might not even attain the Finals. However what they did to a Nets workforce that was much better than it had any proper to be contemplating its accidents was one of many extra spectacular feats we’ll see this postseason. The Celtics are on their solution to one thing particular, and the Nets may very well be proper again there in a yr.

2. Too little, too Blake

Andre Drummond performed roughly 60 minutes on this sequence. Brooklyn misplaced these minutes by 25 factors. They received the rest of the sequence by seven. Nic Claxton proved a major improve on protection, however he shot 1-of-11 from the foul line. He was in any other case incredible, however these missed free throws have been the distinction within the sport. As such, the one massive man that proved dependable on each ends tonight was Blake Griffin.

The Nets hardly used Griffin all season. He did not make his sequence debut till Recreation 3. He performed 18 minutes in Recreation 4 and the Nets received these minutes by 10 factors. He was additionally predictably gassed by late within the fourth quarter and wanted to take a breather within the closing minutes. That is what occurs when somebody who’s exterior of your rotation turns into a key piece in the course of a playoff sequence.

It is arduous not to wonder if or not Griffin may have swung a sport or two had he been launched into the sequence earlier, or even when the Nets ought to have labored tougher to reintegrate him into the rotation within the common season in the event that they sensed he could be wanted within the playoffs. Griffin genuinely struggled for many of the season. Brooklyn relied on him to make open 3s final yr and he is capturing simply 26.2 p.c from behind the arc this season. He is not the identical bodily.

However if you’re counting on a middle rotation comprised solely of gamers making minimal cash, taking advantage of every of them might be vital. The Nets discovered Griffin too late, they usually paid the worth for it on this sequence.

3. With or with out Tatum

Within the grand scheme of issues, Boston surviving the ultimate 2:38 with out Jayson Tatum does not change the magnitude of their victory. With or with out him, they have been going to advance to the second spherical. However there are all the time a couple of invisible moments on the highway to a championship that make a workforce consider it may win a championship.

The Bucks wanted to win two video games with out Giannis Antetokounmpo a yr in the past. The 2000 Lakers famously received Recreation 4 of the 2000 Finals after Shaquille O’Neal fouled out as a result of Kobe Bryant took it over. It isn’t all the time an absence, however when groups win championships, it is not often simple or clear. There are moments of doubt, moments when it appears to be like just like the automotive would possibly skid off of the highway. Watching a 15-point lead crumble by the hands of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving may have been a type of moments.

However Boston fought again for the win and did in order a workforce. Tatum shall be simply effective. He’ll do his half. However profitable a championship requires everyone to do their half, and Boston’s function gamers simply bought an enormous dose of confidence as they try to do theirs.