Nets put on Christmas Day show in rout of Celtics

The only thing the Nets proved in their opener was they could beat up a bad team at home. But this? Friday’s Christmas present to their fans was an impressive 123-95 road rout of Boston, thrashing one of their top rivals in the East.

Kyrie Irving made his first regular-season return to TD Garden since bolting Boston for Brooklyn a year and a half ago. And despite there not being any fans in the building to see it, he and Kevin Durant led the way in a nationally televised masterclass performance against the Celtics.

“We can’t exceed our own expectations. We know this is a long journey ahead. Another great sparring session,” Irving said in an on-air TV interview. “We were just happy to put on a show.”

Irving had a game-high 37 points, eight assists and six rebounds, shooting 7 of 10 from deep. Durant added 29 points on 9 of 16 shooting, four rebounds and two steals. And when the Durant found Irving for a 3-pointer with 2:39 left, it was fitting. The Nets lead was 24, and it was that pair that built it.

The Nets (2-0) became the first team since the 2008-09 Lakers to win its first two games by at least 20 points. And they’re still growing.

“They’ve got a couple of guys who aren’t in their rotation who were starters last year. That tells you all you need to know,” Boston coach Brad Stevens had warned beforehand.

The Nets showed his concerns weren’t unfounded.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant celebrate during today’s win. Getty Images

“Their two lineups and the way that they play and complement each other, 48 minutes of really good play in the center spot surrounded by versatile skill players all around the court that complement their best players. It’s a really good team,” Stevens said. “All it took was a couple of minutes watching them to tell that they were special. Everybody that plays them will have their hands full, us included.”

The Nets proved more than Boston could handle. Brooklyn allowed just 38.1 percent shooting and 29.6 percent from deep.

“I don’t know [if it means extra to Irving],” Steve Nash had said before the game. “He’s been playing great, and been unbelievable in camp and so I haven’t got a read on him. We’ve been here obviously a week ago for a preseason game, so I don’t think I can answer that question.”