Home/NBA

via Imago

via Imago

The Brooklyn Nets locked in a playoff series with Boston Celtics and lost the third game as well. The fans were expecting the star-studded lineup, led by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, to step their game up. However, that wasn’t to be. A celebrity, sitting courtside also had some advice for KAI.

Rapper Actress Mary J Blige took her chance to make most of the front row seats. She made her advice clear and direct to Kyrie Irving, as she wanted the Nets star to “step up” the game. The songwriter Blige is very much connected to the Basketball and attended the 2022 All-Star game in Cleveland where the famous intimate Hug with GOAT Michael Jordan grabbed many eyes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In her recent courtside visit, she couldn’t bear the fact that Brooklyn Nets were trailing in the Game 3, and challenged Kyrie Irving to “Step it up”

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant’s Struggle continues against Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics put on a great defensive display throughout the regular season. They were the top defending side with just 104.6 points per game allowed (bettering their last season by 7 points). They allowed just 43% of field goals to the opponents.

The trend continued in the postseason as they checked the dynamic duo of the Nets on a regular basis. They limited 4-time scoring champion, Durant, to just 22 points per game in 3 matchups. Kyrie Irving also had a tough time offensively against the Celtics as he too averaged just around 22 points in 3 meetings.

ALSO READMichael Jordan’s Hero Magic Johnson Got in “Trouble” With Kareem Abdul Jabbar Over the Type of Music They Listen To

Game 3 had more importance for the Nets, provided they were playing at home and trailing 0-2 in the series. So KD and Irving needed to play big to stay in the series. But great team defense led by reigning defensive player of the season Marcus Smart, Boston held the Net stars to just 16 points each.

This was Durant’s worst scoring production in the postseason and eventually handed The Nets their 3rd consecutive loss.

Boston Celtics looking for a clean sweep against the title contender Brooklyn Nets

Defensively strong Boston Celtics 1st round series against explosive scoring team Brooklyn Nets was an intriguing encounter right from the first tip-off. Boston targeted Slim Reaper right from game 1. Their high press defense and physicality in the game limited KD to just 24 points. Kyrie’s 39 points allowed the Nets to have some hope in the game but finally fell to Tatum’s game-winning buzzer-beater.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Celts pressured both Kyrie and Kevin Durant in the next game which made the situation even worse for TD Garden visitors. Celtics managed 115 points while the Nets lost with 107 points in Game 2.

WATCH THIS STORY – Is Shaquille ONeals Ex-Wife Shaunie Married to Someone else now?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Brooklyn team was expected to make it hard in the next encounter as they were playing at home. But Boston had balanced outputs from their big-3 closing out the game with a 103-109 scoreline.

If we look at the trends, the lowering impact of KD and Kyrie hampered the high-scoring Nets. Offensively the star duo was outscored by Jayson Tatum alone, while defensively Boston won the hustle game against the “soft” Nets.