We had two exciting games played on 13 June 2016.  The first game was played between the Celtics and Nets.  This was the game both teams were waiting for because one team represented the defending championship/legacy of the league and the other represented the future/new legacy.  They are both the leaders of their respective divisions.  The Nets represent the Western Division and the Celtics represent the Eastern Division.  The Celtics entered the gym 10 - 3 and the Nets reported with a record of 11 - 4.  With this type of buildup, we all expected a very competitive game and that is what we got.

The starting lineup, for the Celtics, consisted of:  #23 Tim Sanks, #24 Jerel Jackson, #1 Al Wilson, #00 Ralph Mathews, and #8 Jerald Mahone.  The starting lineup, for the Nets, consisted of:  #21 Keith LaFavor, #32 Willie Walker, #42 Tony Reese, #40 Willie Filmore, and #45 Lamont Shuford.

The Nets received the first possession and created a turnover by stepping out-of-bounds.  The Celtics', Al Wilson, took advantage of the turnover with a 3-point shot to start the team's 13 - 2 run at the opening of the game.  The Celtics scored on three 3-pointers and two 2-pointers to capture the lead before the Nets scored their fifth point from a 3-pointer.  From that point, it was time to trade baskets as the Nets', Lamont Shuford, began to dominate the boards for points.  The Nets responded with a run of their own to capture their first lead at 20 - 19.  The Celtics responded, immediately, with a 3-pointer to regain the lead 22 - 20.  They were tied for the first time at 29.  The Celtics requested their first timeout with 4:57 remaining in the first half.  The Nets were in the lead 31 - 29.  With 55.6 seconds remaining in the first half, the Nets had extended their lead to 43 - 32.  Six players, from both teams, added points to their team's score.  Willie Walker (#32) led the Nets with 14 points (12 points coming from four 3-pointers).  Lamont Shuford (#45) added 11 points, #21 Keith LaFavor scored on two 3-pointers for 6 points, #42 Tony Reese scored 6 points, #25 Trea Tells scored 7 points, and Santonio Howard (#19) scored two points.  The Celtics were led by Al Wilson (#1) with 12 points (all from 3-point range).  Jerald Jackson (#24) added 9 from three 3-pointers, Tim Sanks (#23) chipped in with 6 points.  The Nets took the first half 46 - 37.

The second half got heated with the teams' reputations on the line.  The Celtics' Christopher None (#0), Tim Sanks (#23), and Jerel Jackson (#24) combined 33 of the team's 44 second half points.  Jerel Jackson hit on four consecutive 3-point shots.  Christopher None added 11 points and Tim Sanks scored on 10 points.  With 10:18 remaining in the second half, the Celtics closed the lead to 56 - 59.  Both teams let it all go until the buzzer sounded.  The Nets were led by Lamont Shuford with 14 points.  Tony Reese (#42) worked in 10 points and Keith LaFavor (#21) hurled in three more 3-pointers for 9 points.  At 1:29, the Celtics were trailing the Nets 77 - 79.  The Nets used their final timeout with 25.2 seconds remaining to assess their 81 - 83 point lead.  The Nets reentered the court and scored on a free throw and the Celtics were off running to attempt an overtime shot when Jerald Mahone (#8) turned the ball over with a soft pass that was stolen by the Nets and the victory buzzer sounded giving the Nets a 12 - 4 record.

The scorers, for the Nets, were:  #45 Lamont Shuford with 25 points, #42 Tony Reese with 16 points, #21 Keith LaFavor with 15 points, #32 Willie Walker with 15 points, #25 Trea Tells with 11 points, and #19 Santonio Howard with 2 points.

The scorers, for the Celtics, were:  #24 Jerel Jackson with 21 points, #23 Tim Sanks with 16 points, #1 Al Wilson with 12 points, #15 Christopher None with 11 points, #00 Ralph Mathews with 8 points, #22 Juan Vasquez with 8 points, and #8 Jerald Mahone with 5 points.