Boston won in Brooklyn for the seventh time in a row to maintain their perfect record.

Following a 124-114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, the Boston Celtics improve to 5-0 on the season, eliminating another team. Fans like us are used to blowout victories these days, but this was anything but that. The tenacious Nets didn’t give up easily. But when it mattered most in the fourth quarter, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford made clutch plays to help the Celtics establish their dominance.

With Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton sidelined for the Nets, it was obvious from the outset of the game that the strategy would be to attack the paint. Kristaps Porzingis scored in the post on the C’s first two possessions, and Horford—starting in place of Derrick White—clenched the offensive board and added a basket. The Celtics controlled the glass and attempted to score in the paint while Horford and Porzingis were both on the court.

Brooklyn intended to force Boston to guard them while they attempted three-pointers. The Nets pushed Horford and Porzingis outside the paint on offense. The Nets used drive and kicks to attack the mismatch once the big men were outside. In the first, the Nets made five of their fourteen three-point shots.

The Nets would end the quarter with a 21-12 run, despite the Celtics getting off to a quick lead of 22-13 early on.

Tatum began to dominate the second quarter. Tatum was unstoppable in the second quarter, showcasing his signature step-back three and using his strength to get to the rim. After the free throw, Tatum scored a and-1 to reach 10,000 career points halfway through the second quarter, making the score 52-48 with 5:05 remaining. Tatum is the newest member of the Celtics to score ten thousand points.

With 3:16 remaining in the half and a six-point lead (56-50), the Celtics finished the quarter on a 14-8 run, capped by a buzzer-beating three from Tatum to win 70-58 at the half.

At the half, Tatum led the C’s with 21 points on 50% shooting, while Cam Thomas was leading Brooklyn with 14 points.

The Nets started the third quarter on a good note, going on an 11-2 run that continued for four minutes, or 76-73.

To keep Brooklyn in the game, the Nets responded to each run by the Celtics with a bucket from Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie, or Thomas. They led 91-88 going into the fourth quarter after outscoring the Celtics 30-21 in the third.

With the exception of turnovers, both teams’ stats heading into the fourth quarter were comparable, which is why Brooklyn managed to stay in the game. Boston committed nine turnovers, while the Nets only committed three.

With Brissett, Pritchard, Tatum, Hauser, and Kornet at the start of the fourth, Boston was able to hold their own and rest the rest of their starters. Kornet played well for Boston, finishing a pick-and-roll nicely.

With 7:45 remaining, a Dennis Smith Jr. three-pointer had Brooklyn within one, but Tatum quickly answered with a three-pointer after Brissett had maintained possession with an offensive rebound.

With 5:10 left, Holiday and Tatum’s consecutive baskets gave the Celtics a 110-99 lead, capping a 14-4 run that gave Boston the upper hand. Holiday finished with a season-high 18 points and 10 assists. Tatum had 32 points and 11 rebounds in the end.

Despite just scoring eight points on the night, Al Horford was the club’s unsung hero because he made crucial plays in the closing minutes and led the team in +/- with (+29).

With less than two minutes remaining, a tip-in by Porzingis gave Boston a 117-105 lead and all but guaranteed the victory. In the end, the big man had seven rebounds and 22 points.

The next game for Boston is slated to tip off at 8 p.m. on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2).