Halftime Hot Takes: The Celtics seem to care about this game against Brooklyn just as much as the rest of us

Through two quarters, the first Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets meeting of the season hasn’t panned out the way many would’ve expected. The Nets led for the entire half but Boston managed to cut it down to just two before the halftime buzzer.

Now, get ready for some Halftime Hot Takes, buddy.

I have seen better starts

Listen, I understand that it isn’t quite as easy to get up for a game against the Nets compared to one against the Golden State Warriors. But falling behind 12-0 to a team that, before the season, was a top contender to land Cooper Flagg (who I hear actually isn’t that good, it would be a reach if anyone picked him before, let’s say, pick 30), is unacceptable.

Brooklyn is a team that’s built an identity for itself by playing gritty basketball. Giving them confidence right off the rip isn’t going to make the night an easy one.

If I had to pinpoint the issue, I would say it has something to do with wearing “statement edition” black jerseys at home, instead of traditional home whites.

I have to give credit where credit is due, though. The Celtics cut the Nets’ lead to just four by the end of the first quarter. That’s a championship level response.

Jayson Tatum might have Hall-of-Fame “Corner Specialist”

A large part of Boston’s first-quarter push was Jayson Tatum’s 11 early points. Of those 11 points, nine came off of catch-and-shoot threes from the left corner. All three of the makes were super clean looks, and JT didn’t even have to work for them.

The more threes we see Tatum take off of the catch, the better (even though the numbers this year would tell you otherwise). These are shots that typically will come within the flow of an offensive possession, rather than having to be created by the man himself.

Just about anyone who has watched the Cs will tell you that they’re at their best when the ball is popping around, rather than when it is sticking.

Last season, it was pretty rare to see Tatum getting looks from deep unless it was off of the dribble. This year, it feels like Joe Mazzulla has made it an emphasis to have him playing without the ball on some possessions.

The Nets are not a tanking team

This isn’t necessarily a take that is specific to this single half of basketball, but it’s clear that the Nets are not a team in tank mode. They came into Friday’s game with a record of 4-4 and it’s not a mystery to why.

Do they have a ton of top-end talent?

No.

But these guys play hard.

They’ve put on one of the better defensive displays against the Cs so far this season, holding them to just 49 points at the break.

On top of that, they caused multiple tie-ups, after diving on the floor after loose balls.

This was a big-time “earn my respect” half from them, for sure.