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Celtics can't keep series going Posted: Tuesday May 13, 2003 12:39 AMBOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Celtics went into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals trying to extend the series. They did -- for 10 minutes. The New Jersey Nets needed double overtime, but they managed to finish off the Celtics on Monday night with a 110-101 victory over Boston. It was the first sweep in New Jersey's NBA history, and the first time the Celtics have been swept in a seven-game series in 20 years. "I'll be able to look back someday and tell my kids, 'You know, we were in the playoffs and played the Celtics and swept them, finishing them up on their home court,"' Nets guard Kerry Kittles said. "What a great game." The Celtics had their chances in the first two games, but they left New Jersey down 2-0. Back in Boston for Game 3, they posted a surprisingly lackluster effort to lose 94-76 and move to the brink of elimination. On Monday night, they played like the desperate team that they were, posting a 17-3 run to open an 86-78 lead with 4:10 left in regulation. But the Nets scored 12 of the next 15 points to take a one-point lead before Eric Williams hit one of two free throws with 17.2 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime. Already missing Tony Battie, who left with 5:59 left after bruising his right knee, the Celtics lost Antoine Walker when he picked up two fouls in 12 seconds two minutes into the first overtime and fouled out. The Nets trailed 95-93 at the time; they tied it up and forced another overtime, then ran away with it from there. "I don't think we really got discouraged when we lost Antoine or Tony," said Celtics guard Paul Pierce, who had 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. "We felt like we still had a chance and we felt like we still had momentum, but ... we just kind of ran out of firepower." No one turned things around more than Walker, who was heckled off the floor in Game 3 and spent the last few minutes on the bench, tears coming to his eyes. After averaging just 12 points on 29 percent shooting in the first three games, he had 20 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals on Monday. But it wasn't enough to force a fifth game. "It hurts, period," Williams said when asked whether it hurts more to lose in the minimum four games. "A loss is still a loss. It leaves a bitter taste in our mouths." |
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