NEW YORK — Point guard Avery Bradley scored nine of his 21 points in the third quarter when the Boston Celtics seized control en route to an 89-81 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Center Tyler Zeller added 18 points for the Celtics (12-21), who rallied from an 11-point deficit and won for the second time in their last nine games by outscoring the Nets 70-51 in the final 33 1/2 minutes.
Forward Joe Johnson scored 17 points for the Nets (16-19), who shot 40.5 percent from the field (30 of 74) and dropped their third straight game.
Center Mason Plumlee added 16 points and guard Jarrett Jack had 15, but the Nets lost point guard Deron Williams in the second quarter after he appeared to reinjure the left side that kept him out of Monday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Celtics never trailed after Bradley’s uncontested corner 3-pointer gave them a 53-50 lead with 7:54 remaining. That started a 13-5 spurt that gave Boston a 63-55 lead with 3:20 remaining. During the decisive run, Bradley had two more baskets.
Boston shot 60 percent from the field in the third quarter and took a 69-62 lead into the fourth. The Celtics expanded their lead to double digits with Bradley and Zeller on the bench but struggled to finish it off.
Brooklyn was within 83-74 after an 18-footer with Johnson with 3:45 remaining. About a minute later, Johnson missed a wide-open 3-pointer from the left wing and Boston regained its double-digit lead on a turnaround jumper by Green with 2:06 left, who added a driving baseline dunk on Boston’s next trip to seal the win.
Six straight points by forward Kevin Garnett gave the Nets a 39-33 lead with 3:08 left in the second quarter. The Celtics scored the final eight points of the first half and took a 40-39 lead into halftime on a layup by forward Evan Turner with 26.5 seconds remaining.
NOTES: Rookie G/F James Young was inactive, though Celtics coach Brad Stevens said it was a difficult decision to sit him, especially after he scored a season-high 13 points in Monday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets. … Boston was without G Jameer Nelson, who missed his third straight game with a sprained right ankle. … Brooklyn PG Deron Williams returned after a one-game absence because of a left side injury, although the team’s injury report listed him as doubtful. … Asked about getting to coach F Kevin Garnett in possibly the future Hall of Famer’s final season, Brooklyn coach Lionel Hollins said, “I’m honored to have an opportunity to have coached him. I wish I could have coached him when he was younger.” … The Nets have an open roster spot after waiving F Brandon Davies on Tuesday. One report stated they might have an interest in F Lance Thomas, who was waived by the Knicks after being acquired in Monday’s three-team deal.
Wizards 101, Knicks 91
WASHINGTON — The New York Knicks set a season franchise record with their 13th straight loss as forward Nene scored 20 points in the Washington Wizards’ 101-91 victory on Wednesday night.
Guard John Wall had 18 points, eight assists and three steals for the Wizards (24-11), who never trailed. They led by 20 points in the second half and then fended off the Knicks’ fourth-quarter rally for their second straight win.
Forward Rasual Butler scored 14 points, including four straight after New York rallied to 83-78 with 6:33 remaining. After a 2-3 Western Conference road trip, Washington played its first home game since Dec. 27.
The Knicks (5-33) have dropped 23 of 24 games with no end to the suffering in sight. All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony missed his fourth straight game with a sore left knee. His absence further depleted a roster left short-handed after Monday’s cost-cutting trade that sent guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
New York’s last victory came Dec. 12 at the Boston Celtics. The Knicks are seven losses shy of matching the overall franchise record of 20.
Guard Jose Calderon scored 13 of his 17 points during the second half and forward Jason Smith had 13 points for the Knicks.
New York only had 10 players available. The hodgepodge roster stumbled much of the game and trailed 75-57 with 2:21 remaining in the third quarter but only 77-67 by the end of the quarter.
Guard Shane Larkin’s layup pulled the Knicks within five, but the Wizards ended the drama with a 9-0 run. Butler scored seven points during that span, including a 3-pointer for a 92-78 lead.
Washington made 8 of 16 from beyond the arc and scored 48 points in the paint.