The Boston Celtics could not hang for four quarters against Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets, losing 123-95. The Nets are contending to be the top team in the East as the NBA's third game on the Christmas Day slate wrapped up.In Kevin Durant's second game back after coming off of a season-long Achilles injury suffered in the 2018 NBA Finals, he is already one of the top three all-around players in the league.Kyrie Irving led the scoring with a game-high 37 points, followed by Kevin Durant's 29 on 75% shooting from 3-point land.Check out the complete 2020-21 NBA schedule right here.The Boston Celtics put up a good fight in the first half, but wore down in the second 24 minutes. Tatum finished with 20 points and Brown, the leading scorer for the Celtics, had 27 points on 11-for-25 shooting.Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics looked strong in the first halfBrooklyn Nets v Boston CelticsThe Boston Celtics went into halftime with a 54-51 lead thanks to Jayson Tatum's 12 points and nine rebounds.That boy @jaytatum0 say he get it done with one dribble 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/5Aa0DfnYf2— Famouslos32 (@famouslos32) December 25, 2020JAYSON TATUM. 🔥🔥Kyrie gives him the pat of approval pic.twitter.com/eYVO1lDxKR— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 25, 2020I don’t think this game would be too much different even if Kemba was playing lol.— NOEL (@Curlyy485) December 26, 2020The Boston Celtics were without Kemba Walker in this game. Walker is out because he received a stem cell injection in his knee in October. The rehab process is scheduled to take 12 weeks.Jaylen brown has arrived!— andrew (@andrew91875794) December 26, 2020Jaylen Brown is a bucket ‼️‼️— ☪️✡️ (@whoismolly1) December 26, 2020Jaylen Brown continues to grow and add to his game every year. Love to see it— Will Jepsen (@willjepsen11) December 26, 2020Right now, the Boston Celtics have a ceiling. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will need to continue developing and reach a new level in their game for the Boston Celtics to win the Eastern Conference.#Celtics lead the Nets 54-51 at halftime 🎄 Brown: 13 pts, 4 rebs, 2 astsTatum: 12 pts, 9 rebs Ojeleye: 8 pts, 3 rebsSmart: 6 pts, 2 asts Pritchard: 5 ptsGrant: 4 pts, 3 rebs, 4 astsThompson: 4 pts, 4 rebs— Blood Runs Green ☘ (@BloodRunsGreen_) December 25, 2020Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant reminds the world he is a two-time MVPWashington Wizards v Brooklyn NetsKevin Durant and Kyrie Irving took control of the game in the second half. The Brooklyn Nets outscored the Boston Celtics 72-41 in the last two quarters.Jayson Tatum is tremendous, but Kevin Durant in this second half is showing the difference between an All-Star and an MVP.— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) December 25, 2020Boston Celtics walking back to the bench #NBAXmas pic.twitter.com/uMLzocR4eN— Stadium (@Stadium) December 26, 2020KD and Kyrie are one of the best duos I've ever seen— Rob 🦔 (@hipvault) December 25, 2020Kd and kyrie this year pic.twitter.com/batIuoz9zi— Decimate (@PrimeBridges) December 26, 2020Let's not forget Kevin Durant chose to play with Kyrie Irving instead of staying another year at Golden State with Stephen Curry. It will be interesting to compare the two duos throughout the season. It is just game No. 2, but Kyrie looks to be equally as dangerous with Kevin Durant on pace to post MVP numbers.Celtics tryna guard KD rn pic.twitter.com/k3bH1JGc4j— Whole Lotta Cap (@WLR_CartiStan) December 26, 2020The doctors that did Durant's Achilles surgery rn: pic.twitter.com/hCeDq5CTGN— Frasier Fan (@FrasierFan_WTTJ) December 26, 2020Kyrie (37 PTS) & KD (29 PTS) combined for 66 Pts in their #NBAXmas matchup vs Celtics! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JkchBoYLKP— Deep Hoops Official (@deep_hoops) December 26, 2020Nets beating the Celtics tonite is a big deal! #NBAXmas pic.twitter.com/CH45aVuDid— mekintoş84 (@mekinto841) December 26, 2020It is just the second game, so we need to make sure we do not overreact. ut after seeing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving play two games together, it is hard to say they are not the early favorites to win the NBA Championship.