BOSTON _ During their remarkable midseason turnaround, the Nets relied on a deep well of talent and teamwork to help them overcome injuries and string together improbable victories. But with a roster down to 10 healthy bodies, two of which spent most of the season in the G League, they finally hit the bottom of the well in a 112-104 loss to the Celtics that ended their six-game winning streak Monday night at TD Garden.
Because of their dire injury situation, the Nets found themselves playing a fourth-quarter lineup that included Theo Pinson and Mitch Creek from their Long Island Nets G League team. Pinson scored 19 points in their previous win over the Knicks but managed only three points against the Celtics, while Creek came into the game with one NBA point to his credit and scored six more.
Despite their makeshift lineup, the Nets managed to lead by three in the third quarter and still trailed by only one point early in the fourth period. But that's when they hit the wall, committing five turnovers and missing two shots as the Celtics put together an 11-0 run to take control at 102-90. The Nets never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.
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