Celtics’ blown 28-point lead to Nets largest in the NBA this season in embarrassing loss

BOSTON — The vibes couldn’t get better for the Celtics when they built up a 28-point lead on the Nets early in the second quarter. It seemed like a similar script as earlier this season when the C’s comfortably blew out the Nets on the TD Garden court.

But the Nets refused to lie down on what could’ve been a tough night. Instead, they rallied back to stun the Celtics in a 115-105 Boston loss on Friday. The 28-point Nets comeback was the largest in the NBA this season as the C’s lost one of their worst games of the season.

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The tide changed when the Celtics went up 51-23, more than doubling their opponents. But the Nets went on a quick 9-0 run, which allowed them to gain some confidence. The Nets kept whittling away at the Celtics’ lead from there, eventually taking the lead for good midway through the third quarter. Boston never regained its footing from there, and even fell behind by as many as 16 points in a stunning 44-point turnaround.

It was a team-wide failure Friday as the Celtics fell to 45-19 on the season. While the C’s still maintained their second-place standing to the Bucks, they’re falling behind a surging Milwaukee squad that has won 16 straight games.

But C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said he thinks Friday’s loss was a one-off. The Celtics will hope that’s the case as they host a hot Knicks squad that’s been winning plenty of games recently. But Boston has a chance to bounce back and avenge its loss from earlier in the week when it hosts New York on Sunday.