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Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert’s breakout performance in Boston

By Sameer Kumar

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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Much like Michael Jordan, Caris LeVert of the Brooklyn Nets had a performance against the Boston Celtics that he can be proud of as well.

Although it feels like an eternity ago, it was only March 3rd when Caris LeVert led the Brooklyn Nets to a huge come from behind victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, as they won 129-120 in overtime.

The 6’6″ guard finished with a career-high 51 points on a very impressive 65.4 shooting percentage on the night, but those numbers definitely do justice on how impressive this performance truly was.

LeVert was only up to 14 points at the end of the third quarter, and the Nets looked all out of sorts, as they trailed the Celtics by as many as 21 points up to that point.

However, it was a whole new ballgame for the men in black (well, technically gray since they were sporting their statement edition jerseys that night) in the fourth quarter, as they outscored the green guys 51-34 led by none other than the former Michigan Wolverine.

LeVert demonstrated all of his capabilities on the offensive side of the ball, as the rising star was showing off his newfound confidence from the three-point line, converting four of his six attempts in the period, and was getting nice layups inside by driving his defenders and moving very well off the ball for his teammates to find him right in his sweet spots.

Furthermore, LeVert sank 8-of-11 free-throw attempts in the final period, with the most important ones coming with less than one second left in regulation.

This was made possible because of Rodions Kurucs‘ grit in diving for the loose ball against the much smaller Kemba Walker with 3.6 seconds left on the clock, as Kurucs won the jump ball, and then the head coach at the time, Kenny Atkinson, called a timeout with 1.4 seconds left.

The ball was inbounded to LeVert out of the timeout, and then got fouled from behind the three-point line with just 0.2 seconds left in the game.

It was literally a do-or-die situation, as the 72 percent free-throw shooter stepped to the line with the Nets down by three, and if he missed even one of them, the game would’ve been over, and Boston would’ve won.

The anxiety for Nets fans at that particular moment was real. Many hearts were pumping, and many prayers were sent, as we were all just hoping he can come through.

LeVert thankfully sank all three free-throws in, but he wasn’t done yet.

In the words of the great Ian Eagle, LeVert proved to be a one-man wrecking crew, as he scored all 11 of Brooklyn’s points in the extra period while displaying a confidence in isolation and on pick-and-rolls to get the looks necessary to help the Nets pull off this improbable victory.

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LeVert absolutely put his team on his back in the final 17 minutes of the game, and it was even sweeter that it led to a win over their bitter rivals in their own arena. Now only if we could air a video breaking down his performance with “I’m Bad” by LL Cool J playing in the background.