Surprise Net #3 that could torch the Boston Celtics this postseason: Bruce Brown
The Cleveland Cavaliers learned the hard way on Tuesday night what happens when you leave Bruce Brown unchecked in the high post. Brown notched eight assists to go along with 18 points while owning a team-high net rating of +16. Deemed the third most important Net by TNT commentary of late, Brown had nine rebounds and three steals to supplement those stellar stats.
Given the praise heaped upon Brown on the NBA Play-in broadcast and his 40% 3-point conversion rate, it shouldn’t be surprising if/when the 25-year-old Boston native does some home cooking at the T.D. Garden. It still will be, though.
The Houdini will say this much, though. Brown shouldn’t have the same freedom to roam around the free-throw line as he did against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Especially after his post-game comments directed at Al Horford and Daniel Theis:
Bruce Brown: "Them not having Robert Williams is huge. We can attack Theis and Horford in the paint." #Celtics #Nets
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) April 13, 2022
Boston now has whiteboard material to motivate them not to let Brown stun them these playoffs.