The Nets gave the Celtics all they could handle even with Cam Thomas being shutdown for the season with a hamstring strain, along with Trendon Watford and Noah Clowney out for Saturday.
Cam Johnson's potential game winning heave from near midcourt missed to the left and came just after the final buzzer sounded. Cam Johnson poured in 23, Keon Johnson 21, while Kristaps Porzingis had 24, Payton Pritchard 22 and Jayson Tatum 20.
Jordi Fernandez and crew have nothing to hang their heads about after putting a serious scare into the defending champs.