White scored 13 of the Celtics’ 27 points in the third quarter, helping his team to a narrow 71-70 advantage entering the final frame. Ziaire Williams (12 points) and D’Angelo Russell (11 points) were Brooklyn’s top scorers through three quarters.

The Nets were one possession away from pulling off an improbable comeback during Saturday's matchup with the Celtics.

The Nets surrendered a 24-5 first-half Celtics run. Jalen Wilson (15 points) had hit a 3 to spot Brooklyn to an early 27-26 lead with 1:33 left in the first quarter. But they coughed up that extended run that stretched midway through the second.