Nets Take Season Series: Nets 101, Celtics 93 (Game Grades)

Deron-Williams69

Deron Williams POINT GUARD

Superstar mode: engaged. Quick, made good decisions, shot well, drove into the lane with purpose, and played like a great player who’s not in pain. Put opposing defender Avery Bradley — arguably the best perimeter defender in the NBA — on the bench with foul trouble all game. Other than a couple of well-deserved heat checks, not really much to complain about tonight.

Joe Johnson SHOOTING GUARD

I don’t know if he’s fully healthy — only he can really answer that question — but the way he’s shooting, in spot-ups, isolations, and attacking in the post, he looks it.

Gerald Wallace SMALL FORWARD

Left the game in the first half with a left heel contusion and wouldn’t return. Injury aside, some painful struggles to watch early — he had issues even catching the ball in the first quarter — but did hit a field goal, a putback two-hand slam.

Brook Lopez CENTER

A few things about Brook Lopez I enjoyed tonight: The Tyson Chandler-esque backtaps; tapping a loose ball out to the perimeter to the point guard to reset the offense; his help attempt to stop Brandon Bass, even if it didn’t work; his soft touch around the rim throughout the game; his left-handed dunk in traffic, his dunk to put the Nets up 99-82 in the fourth quarter. All-Star game from an All-Star player.

Andray Blatche POWER FORWARD

My stomach hurts, but I’m cool with it.

Reggie Evans POWER FORWARD

Somehow, a one-point game with 14 rebounds is almost more comforting.

C.J. Watson POINT GUARD

Was most successful when he didn’t play like a point guard, but roamed off the ball and snuck open spot-up looks.