CELTICS HOLD OFF NETS FOR 30TH WIN OF SEASON

LOS ANGELES: The Boston Celtics rang in a new year on Sunday (Monday in Manila) with a 108-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets that recalled glorious years gone by.

The hard-fought victory over a deHe was fouled on the inbounds termined Nets team saw the Celtics play and sealed Boston’s seventh improve to 30-10—the earliest date straight win over the Nets with two since the 1964-65 season that Bosfree throws as chants of “M-V-P” ton have piled up 30 victories. rained on him.

It was the third-earliest arrival at Irving posted his 11th straight 30 victories in Celtics history. The 20-point game, scoring 28 and 1959-60 team got there on Decempulling down eight rebounds. ber 28, the 1964-65 squad on DeThe Celtics appeared to be in cember 30. control of the contest after two sec

Both of those teams went on to ond- half spurts, but Brooklyn win the NBA title. wouldn’t go away.

The Eastern Conference-leading CelThe Nets twice got as close as five tics had to work for win number 30. in the last two minutes. Boston

Brooklyn, trailing by 14 points with made no shots from the floor over 5:59 remaining, trimmed the deficit the final 4:27, but made seven of to three and had the ball after a timeout 10 free throws. with 14.5 seconds remaining. Next up for the Celtics is a mar

But Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie quee matchup with the Cleveland let loose a long-range effort off the Cavaliers on Wednesday. inbounds pass that missed by a mile. The Cavs traded Irving to the

“I think it was open, I think he Celtics prior to the season in a deal could’ve gotten closer,” Brooklyn that brought point guard Isaiah coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I think Thomas to Cleveland. if he curled it tighter, that was the Thomas has been sidelined all play for him to come off that screen. season with a hip injury incurred ... I think they botched a switch or playing for Boston last season, and whatever and he came off. Even so, it’s not clear if he’ll take the floor it was longer than we wanted but it against his old team. was an open catch and shoot.” But Celtics coach Brad Stevens said

Boston guard Kyrie Irving the Cavs team led by four-time NBA chased down the rebound and Most Valuable Player LeBron James called timeout. will be a formidable test.