Boston has been physical and intense against Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, enabling the Celtics to build a 3-0 lead in their first-round series.

Jayson Tatum scores 14 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter, helping Boston take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series with a 109-103 victory.

Boston’s center has not played since tearing his menicus on March 27.

Boston completes its comeback from a 17-point first-half deficit by holding Brooklyn to 17 points in the final 12 minutes, earning a 114-107 win.

Cameras captured Irving flipping off fans after making a shot in the third quarter during Boston’s win in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.

Scrappy point guard Marcus Smart of the Celtics is the first guard since Gary Payton in 1996 to win the award.

Horford had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and made some big defensive plays in Boston’s 115-114 win over Brooklyn.

Jayson Tatum caps a 31-point game with a basket as time run out, allowing Boston to overcome Kyrie Irving’s 39 points.

Boston has been red-hot since the start of the new year but is still considered by some an underdog against Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Brooklyn.

With its No. 2 seed and a smothering defense, Boston should have a level of confidence, even facing the Nets with stars Kryie Irving and Kevin Durant.