Complete history of the Brooklyn Nets playing on Christmas Day

Dec. 25, 2012

After not playing on Christmas Day in 10 years, the recently-relocated Brooklyn Nets played for the first time in their new arena, the Barclays Center, on Dec. 25, 2012. While there was a lot for the 17,732 fans that attended the game to look forward to, they were left deeply disappointed.

The Nets’ woes started early as they turned the ball over six times in the first quarter, but still managed to hold the 24-22 heading into the second after shooting 53% from the floor. However, things began to turn ugly over the next 12 minutes as Brooklyn committed 10 additional turnovers. The Celtics went on a 15-2 run in the middle of the second and went into the half with the 56-42 lead.

That narrative continued in the second half. Brooklyn cut Boston’s lead down to eight points in the third quarter, but after that the Celtics went on a 7-0 run to enter the final quarter of play. Double-technicals against Gerald Wallace and Kevin Garnett at least provided a bit of excitement in the fourth, but Boston went on to cruise to a 93-76 win.

The Nets’ poor shooting, coupled with their 20 turnovers, were the main storyline. Brooklyn shot 40.6% from the field (26-of-64), 58.6% from the free throw line (17-of-29) and 35% from the 3-point line (7-of-20).

Four starters scored in double-digits, but the Nets’ bench struggled. Wallace scored 15 points (4-of-7), Brook Lopez 15 (5-of-12), Joe Johnson 12 (4-of-14), Deron Williams 10 (3-of-7). Jerry Stackhouse was the team’s highest scorer off the bench with 7 points. Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 19 points.

After this one, the Nets and Celtics both sat at 14-13. Brooklyn went on to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season, but lost in seven games to the Chicago Bulls.