NEW YORK — While the Celtics usually downplay the importance of regular-season games, especially in December, they considered their Christmas Day matchup with the Brooklyn Nets as critical for several reasons.

They desperately needed a signature road win; they wanted to play well in front of a national television audience; they wanted to establish confidence as they began what could be a season-defining four-game road trip; and they wanted to exact revenge on the Nets after two frustrating losses to Brooklyn in November.