BROOKLYN N.Y.– Kyrie Irving scored 13 fourth quarter points and the Brooklyn Nets took a 1-0 series lead over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.
Irving, who grew up in West Orange and played high school basketball at Montclair Kimberley Academy and St. Patrick in Elizabeth, went on a late-game flurry to help his team notch the 104-93 victory.
The former Boston Celtic finished Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs with 29 points on 11-of-20 shooting against his old team. Irving also hit 2-of-8 from behind the arc, 5-of-5 from the free throw line and added six rebounds, an assist and a block.
Irving was quoted by the Associated Press after the victory. ''I felt like we put on a good show,'' Irving said. ''We've just got to do it three more times.''
The Barclays Center had a sellout crowd of 14,391 and the electric fans witnessed several highlight plays from Irving.
Midway through the first quarter, Irving put Boston Celtics defender Evan Fournier on skates before taking the ball to the rack for 2.
KYRIE PUT FOURNIER ON THE FLOOR.
WOW. pic.twitter.com/yUbr3DbJDc
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 23, 2021
Apparently, Fournier did not get the memo from Uncle Drew when he warned all young bloods not to reach.
Irving continued to dazzle the crowd with swift crossover moves and silky jump shots into the second half.
Feel bad for whoever is put on an island guarding Kyrie 🏝
Welcome to the playoffs, rook. pic.twitter.com/V7lfXLddN5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 23, 2021
However, the game was still close entering the fourth quarter with the Nets clinging to a 78-73 lead.
"I just think we needed a little separation, just to settle in for the rest of the game,” Irving told reporters after the game. “Anything can happen, especially against the Celtics. That lucky Irishman is always around the Celtics, so we've just got to be aware of anything against the Celtics. And I think we did a good job of kind of withstanding their runs down the stretch."
Once the fourth quarter began, Irving took over and showed once again why he is one of the best closers in the NBA by hitting several clutch baskets.
What's next for Irving and the Nets?
Irving and the Nets will look to continue their momentum when they play the Celtics in Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on TNT.
Here at Jersey Sporting News, we will be closely following Irving, the New Jersey native, throughout the NBA Playoffs.
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