A Game 3 victory gave Boston the formula for success in its first round series with the Nets. Though not an easy plan to execute against an opponent that offers little margin for error, the continuous heroics of Jayson Tatum, who scored 50 in the Game 3 win, along with several others stepping up to the challenge, would, in theory, be enough to change the outlook of a series that had seemingly been written through the first two games.
Well, Tatum finished with 40 points in Game 4 on a perfect 17-of-17 from the free throw line. In the absence of Kemba Walker and Robert Williams, two late scratches dealing with respective ailments, Marcus Smart went for 16 points and nine assists.