The Boston Celtics defeated the host Brooklyn Nets, 98 - 95, at Barclays Center on Friday evening. The Celtics led 45 - 37 after a low - scoring first half but the Nets came out strong in the second half and were able to gain the lead for a few minutes in the fourth. The Celtics quickly took the advantage once more, leading by eight with 2:9 left in the game. However, the Celtics would not get away easy, as the Nets brought it back to a one - possession game, with a chance to inbound the ball with nine seconds remaining. They got two three - point attempts within that final nine seconds that could have tied it up, yet thankfully for Boston, neither of them fell, allowing the Celtics to escape with the win. Five players scored in double digits for the Celtics (44 - 25), led by Jae Crowder, who double - doubled with 24 points and 12 rebounds, in 35 minutes. Avery Bradley followed up with 16 points and five rebounds, while Al Horford chipped in 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal. The Celtics were without their all star, Isaiah Thomas (knee), but Marcus Smart stepped in to run the point, contributing 12 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals. The Celtics look ahead to their next contest on Sunday in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Brook Lopez led the way for the Nets (13 - 55) with 23 points on 8 - of - 18 shooting, to go along with five rebounds, four assists and two blocks, in 31 minutes. Five other players scored in double digits for Brooklyn, including Randy Foye, who added 14 points and Andrew Nicholson, who chipped in 11 off the bench. The Nets go on to host the Mavericks on Sunday.
["PlayerStat(G,'Jae Crowder') has 35 Assists ,has 24 Blocks ,has 12 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Al Horford') has 4 Assists ,has 4 Blocks ,has 8 Field goals attempted ,has 1 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Avery Bradley') has 16 Assists ,has 5 Blocks ,has 1 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Marcus Smart') has 5 Assists ,has 12 Blocks ,has 3 Field goals attempted ,has 3 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Brook Lopez') has 4 Assists ,has 2 Blocks ,has 18 Field goals attempted ,has 8 Field goals made ,has 31 Minutes played ,has 23 Points ,has 5 Total rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Randy Foye') has 14 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Andrew Nicholson') has 11 Assists ."]