Jayson Tatum scores 29 as Boston Celtics complete sweep of Brooklyn Nets

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The Boston Celtics became the first team to reach the second round of the playoffs with a 116- 112 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

The Celtics made easy work of what was thought to be a tough series, as Marcus Smart added 20 points and 11 assists. The winner of the series between Milwaukee and Chicago will be waiting for Boston. The Bucks hold a commanding lead in that series.

After the Celtics had defended him well in the first three games, Kevin Durant broke free and scored 39 points. The Nets failed to win the game they needed to extend their season.

The Nets needed a strong finish to get the No. 7 seed.

Curry scored 23 points. The Nets have performed so far below expectations because of the absence of Irving, who is not immune to the coronaviruses, who had 20 points.

At the halfway point of the season, the Celtics were under.500 but went on to win 31 of their last 40 games.

Even as he finally got more shots to drop Monday, the defense made it difficult for him, as he was limited to 19-for-50 shooting with 17 turnovers through the first three games. He was only 13 of 31 from the field.

He lost in the first round for the first time since 2010 when he was with Oklahoma City. He had won the first-round series nine times in a row.

The Celtics opened a 90-75 lead in the closing seconds of the third quarter on the strength of 12 points from Tatum. The Nets made a push that got them within three points about three minutes later after he went to the bench with a fifth foul.

The Celtics were leading by six with 2:48 to play. Irving made a 3-pointer to help the Warriors get back in the game. After a basket by Brown, the Celtics rushed down the floor, with Al Horford putting back Smart's miss to make it a three-point game with 13 seconds left.

The Nets were hoping to have Ben Simmons make his debut for them in Game 4, but he was ruled out with more pain in his back.

In the first quarter, Tatum didn't have a basket, but he got going in the second with two 3-pointers and a jumper. The Nets were down only 45-44 after Curry hit a 3-pointer in the corner with 3:29 to play. Grant Williams made three 3-pointers, the last one giving Boston a 58-50 lead at the end of the half.