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Boston Celtics: 3 reasons why last night’s loss was worst of the season

ByAndrew Hughes|
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 3: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets drives past Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics in the first half at TD Garden on March 3, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 3: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets drives past Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics in the first half at TD Garden on March 3, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
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In unfathomable fashion, the Boston Celtics blew their chance at taking the first game of a back-to-back against the Brooklyn Nets last night. Could it be their worst loss of the season?

Losing a game after trailing from the opening tip until the final buzzer stings, but losing the way the Boston Celtics did last night to the Brooklyn Nets is significantly worse. After holding a lead as high 17 points, the C’s allowed Caris LeVert of Brooklyn to go off in a wildly embarrassing fourth quarter route:

Playing without Jayson Tatum, and with Kemba Walker on a minutes restriction, the Celtics seemed poised to bounce back from Saturday’s heartbreaking overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. Marcus Smart ignited the C’s in his fill-in start with several huge plays, including several dimes to Daniel Theis and Grant Williams at the rim and a huge block on Jarrett Allen:

The game appeared to be in their hands by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, but LeVert’s outbreak and Boston’s inability to score shifted the momentum firmly in Brooklyn’s favor. Granted, Gordon Hayward left the game in the second quarter due to a knee contusion and Jaylen Brown left with hamstring issues. Smart was also suspended, certainly not helping matters.

That said, Brooklyn is without its two best players in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. This was a “gimme”. Now, the Houdini is sifting through the ashes to tell you why last night was the worst loss of the season:

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