The Celtics had been driving excessive after throttling Atlanta this previous Wednesday. In tonight’s recreation, they performed a New Orleans staff that received three straight regardless of lacking Zion Williamson. As the sport tipped off, shade commentator Brian Scalabrine mentioned, “I’m fearful about his recreation, I’m simply being trustworthy.” However as we’ve realized from his final 5 seasons on the printed, Scal is improper most of the time, and Boston would win tonight’s recreation 117-109 as they welcomed again Malcom Brogdon.
The Celtics hit 10 first-quarter three pointers and led 40-25 in entrance of a packed Smoothie King Enviornment. It was one shy of the file for threes in 1 / 4. Tatum, Brown, and Horford scored 30 of the staff’s first 32 factors as Boston shot 62.5 p.c and picked up 12 assists.
The Celtics scored on their opening two possessions of the 2nd quarter however proceeded to go chilly. The defensive depth waned, then a CJ McCollum three on the 7:14 mark capped a 15-2 run, and the Celtics led 47-42 after beforehand main by 18. They ultimately acquired it again as much as a double digits on the again of Derrick White’s 14 first-half factors and a pair of athletic finishes from Jaylen.
McCollum hit a floater to beat the buzzer and the Celtics led 67-57 at half. The Pelicans shot 67 p.c within the second quarter and had been led by Brandon Ingram’s 16 first-half factors and Jose Alvarado’s usually pesky two-way presence. Tatum and Brown mixed for 27 factors and 9 assists and the Celtics performed impeccable basketball other than the 4 minute stretch the place they allowed New Orleans again into the sport. They hit 14 threes however relinquished 34 factors within the paint.
The excessive scoring first half was a brick fest to open the second. Every staff missed their first 4 pictures, however the Celtics went forward by 16 after Horford up-faked Jonas Valanciunas and hit a one-dribble pull-up. The staff performed sloppy, turning the ball over a ghastly 9 instances within the quarter after solely having 3 within the first half. However Sam Hauser and Derrick White hit back-to-back threes and so they led by 19 on the 3:00 mark.
Larry Nance jr. was disruptive at any time when he acquired enjoying time, and after changing on a fastbreak dunk with two minutes remaining, Ingram compelled a steal, Devonte Graham hit a quick break three, then Naji Marshall hit a large open three to chop the Celtics result in 9. The rating was 89-78 going into the ultimate body. Tatum went scoreless within the quarter whereas White scored 10 factors on 3/6 taking pictures.
After an uneventful begin to the fourth, defensive ace Herb Jones compelled two straight turnovers that led to 2 finishes on the rim, then Ingram hit a 3 to chop Boston’s result in six — the closest margin since early within the 2nd quarter. However on the subsequent possession, Grant Williams hit an enormous nook three and Horford transformed on a quick break dunk the subsequent play to place Boston again up 11.
Jaylen hit an elbow jumper, then after lacking a layup in heavy visitors, he acquired two consecutive offensive rebounds and completed over three Pelicans defenders. A couple of minutes later, he acquired stripped by Herb, then Nance transformed on an open dunk and the rating was 107-100 with 2:29 to play. The following possession, Tatum seemingly misplaced the ball whereas driving by way of the paint, however it discovered Grant Williams for an open layup.
The Celtics might have ended the sport with a cease and a rating, however the smallest man on the ground – Alvardo – grabbed an offensive rebound, acquired fouled, then hit two free throws. Nance acquired referred to as for an offensive foul with 39 seconds to play, primarily sealing it for Boston, who received the sport 117-109.
Derrick White completed with 27 factors on 9 of 12 taking pictures whereas including 2 steals and a pair of blocks. Jaylen Brown veered into triple double territory, scoring 27 factors with 10 rebounds and seven assists. Tatum struggled from the sphere, taking pictures 6 of 18, however he dished out a season excessive 10 assists. Brandon Ingram led the best way with 25 for the Pelicans, whereas Nance and McCollum added 16 and 18 respectively.
Subsequent up, the Celtics journey to Chicago to tackle the Bulls at 8:00 on Monday.
