The second game of the evening (19 May 2016) was played between the Celtics and Nets.  We all knew this would be a tough game because Keith LaFavor has made it his mission to show that the Nets is the team to replace the Celtics and 76ers.  He has taunted the Celtics for months and we all sat and waited for the tip-off between these two powerhouses.

The starting lineup for the Celtics consisted of:  #23 Tim Sanks, #2 Steve Woodson, #1 Al Wilson, #15 Christopher None, and #8 Jerald Mahone.

The starting lineup for the Nets consisted of: #21 Keith LaFavor, #32 Willie Walker, #45 Lamont Shuford, #42 Tony Reese, and #30 Rodney Patrick.

The tipoff was won by the Celtics.  It was evident, from the start, that we were in for a treat because Tim Sanks was ready to rumble and so was Lamont Shuford and Tony Reese.  The first score came from #45 Lamont Shuford racing down the court to catch a pass for an easy layup.  Then Tony Reese chimed in to keep pressure on the Celtics with his amazing speed and hustle.  With Steve Woodson being the only true center, for the Celtics, the Nets used every big man they had to challenge him for rebounds.  That was a tall order for Woodson, but he was up for the challenge.  Woodson's interior defense kept the Nets at-bay along with his 7 points.  Tim Sanks led the Celtics with 13 first half points.  The Nets', Lamont Shuford (#45), snatched rebounds - on both ends of the court - and hit the Celtics with 16 first half points.  Tony Reese added 11 first half points to give the Nets a 39 - 37 edge.

The second half started with the Celtics making every attempt to handle the Nets, but the Nets were not willing to cooperate.  Though Shuford was held to 2 second half points, Keith LaFavor (#45), Trea Tells (#25), Tony Reese (#42), and Rodney Patrick (#30) picked up the slack.  Keith LaFavor scored on three 3-pointers and one 2-point shot for 11 points.  Trea Tells scored all 8 of his critical points in the second half.  The Celtics worked their way back into the game and tied the score, at 41, with 16:16 remaining in the game.  Both teams battled back and forth until they were tied, again, at 68.  That would be the last tied score as the Nets battled forward to seal the deal and defeated the Celtics 72 - 68.  This win gave the Nets the confidence they have been working for to feel that they are the team to beat. 

Closing observation:  One player cannot win/defeat a team by himself, but he can will a team into victory or discourage a team into defeat.  Though the game was close, it brought out the worst in some players.  Those players became distractors.  Teams are built on individuals who are willing to share responsibilities with others in an effort to win.  Every scorer is not a defender or rebounder and neither is every rebounder or defender a scorer.  You have to know your individual strengths and those of your teammates. 

The Nets' scorers were:  #45 Lamont Shuford with 18 points, #42 Tony Reese with 18, #21 Keith LaFavor with 14, #30 Rodney Patrick with 11, #25 Trea Tells with 8, and #32 Willie Walker with 3 points.

The Celtics' scorers were:  #23 Tim Sanks with 28 points, #30 Ralph Mathews with 13, #2 Steve Woodson with 11, #15 Christopher None with 6, #8 Jerald Mahone with 5, #4 Lorenzo Johnson with 3, and #22 Johnny Vasquez with 2 points.