Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Complete history of the Brooklyn Nets playing on Christmas Day

By Jordanna Clark

Dec 25, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots a three point jump shot against Boston Celtics center Tristan Thompson (13) defending during the third quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots a three point jump shot against Boston Celtics center Tristan Thompson (13) defending during the third quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec. 25, 2002

For the first time in nearly two decades, New Jersey played a Christmas Day game in 2002. The Nets hosted the Boston Celtics at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. during a snowstorm. Although it was a sellout, the weather impacted the number of fans that showed up.

New Jersey had won 11 consecutive games at home and held an NBA best 16-1 record on its home court ahead of the Dec. 25, 2002 game against Boston. It was the first time the Nets had played the Celtics during the 2002-03 season after sweeping them the year before in the Eastern Conference Finals.

New Jersey got out to a hot start and hit its first nine shots that resulted in a season-high 65% shooting from the field in the first half. The Nets went into the half with a double-digit lead, 65-40.

Things didn’t improve much for the Celtics after halftime, even though they went on a 11-0 run. New Jersey extended its lead to 38 with over three minutes left to play in the third quarter that helped to seal the 117-81 victory. The Nets shot 54.2% from the field compared to Boston’s dismal 34.2%.

All five of New Jersey’s starters scored in double-digits. Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 22 points (6-of-11) and 8 rebounds; Lucious Harris added 17 (7-of-12); Kenyon Martin scored 16 points (7-of-11) along with a team-high 13 rebounds; Jason Kidd netted 16 (7-of-11); and Jason Collins chipped in 10 (2-of-8). Rodney Rogers had 13 points (5-of-11) off the bench for New Jersey. Paul Pierce scored a game-high 27 points for the Celtics.

The Nets improved to 20-9 while Boston fell to 18-10. New Jersey went on to make it to the NBA Finals for the second year in a row, but fell to San Antonio in six games.