Today in Nets history: Nets slip against Celtics, fall behind in ’02 East Finals

As the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals moved to Boston, the New Jersey Nets found themselves in a slight hole after Game 3.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

After losing Game 2 in New Jersey, the Nets visited the Celtics in Boston on May 25, 2002 with the hope of retaking the lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. The game was trending in that direction until the fourth quarter.

The Nets held a 74-53 lead heading into the final 12 minutes. The deficit seemed insurmountable, but the Celtics somehow rallied for 41 points to the Nets’ 16 in the fourth, en route to a 94-90 loss for New Jersey and 2-1 Boston series lead (full box score).

Kerry Kittles led the Nets with 19 points and Jason Kidd had a double-double (12 points and 11 assists). Kenyon Martin also scored 12 points and Aaron Williams pitched in 18 off the bench — 11 of which came in the fourth.