The shorthanded Celtics had no bother dispatching the Warmth, 108-89, Monday evening at TD Backyard.
Listed here are 10 takeaways, as Boston moved to 17-4 on the season following a convincing effort.
1. Protection dominated
The Celtics held the Warmth to 34.9 p.c from the ground and 20.6 p.c from 3-point vary.
Each Warmth starter shot under 50 p.c on the evening, as Boston stored an opponent underneath 90 for the primary time within the common season since March of final yr.
A part of it was gamers like Bam Adebayo lacking photographs they typically make, however the Celtics deserve credit score for rotating effectively, closing out on shooters and constantly forcing the Warmth into robust twos.
2. Kornet about it
Luke Kornet was the catalyst defensively, tying his profession excessive with six blocks. He did not bust out the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag this time, however the Warmth actually acquired the message.
One in all his greatest blocks got here early within the third quarter when he helped on the final second and swatted Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s shot. The grand finale occurred moments later, as Kornet recovered to reject Tyler Herro and arrange a Jayson Tatum 3.
The Celtics are 10-0 when Kornet begins during the last two seasons. Coincidence? In all probability not.
3. Payton Pritchard can’t be stopped
Payton Pritchard contributed 25 factors on 10-of-17 taking pictures, to go along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, two steals and a block.
Per Celtics statistician Dick Lipe, Pritchard is the primary Celtic to string collectively 4 straight 20-point video games off bench since Isaiah Thomas in 2015. He continues to strengthen his Sixth Man of the Yr case and is the clear favourite in the meanwhile.
He scored from all three ranges, was fearless within the lane and was a pest defensively. And sure, he beat the buzzer once more (this one was a layup, nevertheless it was nonetheless spectacular).
4. Jaylen Brown residing on the line
Jaylen Brown entered Monday averaging a career-high 6.8 free-throw makes an attempt per sport and taking pictures a career-best 76.5 p.c from the stripe.
He upped each these totals in opposition to the Warmth, attacking the basket early and sometimes and ending 9 of 10. Brown is among the greatest transition gamers within the league, so there’s no cause he shouldn’t get to the road continuously.
When he’s enjoying downhill, and with poise within the paint, he’s nearly unguardable.
5. Depth on show
With Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Vacation and Al Horford sidelined, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla turned to a wide range of choices.
Derrick White, Brown, Tatum, Jordan Walsh and Kornet acquired the beginning. Drew Peterson performed 23 minutes, Baylor Scheierman 10 and each Celtic noticed the ground in some capability.
Peterson completed with 7 factors and seven rebounds, making a aware effort to do work on the glass. Scheierman didn’t hit a shot, however he was lively defensively and made a candy no-look cross to Brown for a nook 3.
The reserves have proven they’re prepared once they get their alternative.
The Warmth had been with out Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love, Nikola Jovic and previous pal Josh Richardson. Nobody performed significantly effectively.
6. A bit messy within the third
It was largely a easy and stress-free win for the Celtics, nevertheless it did get a bit sloppy early within the third quarter.
Tatum, who completed with six turnovers, coughed it up a number of instances early within the quarter. The Celtics had 4 turnovers within the first two minutes after ending with simply three within the first half.
After they’re at their greatest, they’re OK with occasional turnovers just like the prime Warriors had been a couple of years again. In the event that they’re transferring the ball with a function, and in search of the correct photographs, the occasional miscue is inevitable.
However these turnovers had been extra a results of miscommunication and what seemed to be complacency, which isn’t ultimate. They shortly cleaned it up, nonetheless, and returned to type.
7. A supremely assured Derrick White
Derrick White has at all times been a assured shooter, however he appears extra assured than ever in the meanwhile. White, who shot 5-of-12 from 3 en path to 19 factors, is losing no time when he catches the ball in rhythm.
It doesn’t matter the place he’s or who’s on him. If he has a sliver of area, he’s going to let it fly. That’s precisely what he ought to do. White has hit a minimum of 4 3-pointers in 4 straight video games and continues to power his All-Star resume.
He’s going to be checking his pockets an terrible lot if he retains this up.
8. The Peterson look-back
After splashing a nook 3, Peterson appeared again on the Warmth bench to allow them to know he meant enterprise.
Peterson, who shined within the Summer season League for the Warmth earlier than getting launched, reminded his previous friends that he’s been within the lab. He’s made essentially the most of his alternative over the previous two nights and deserves to see time transferring ahead.
9. Dominating the glass
The Celtics rebounded fairly effectively, corralling 54 boards to 44 for Miami. Tatum had 11, and Brown, Neemias Queta and Peterson added seven apiece to paved the way.
Boston isn’t a nasty rebounding workforce (14th coming into Monday), nevertheless it’s positively an space to tighten up general – significantly when Porzingis is out. This was a promising signal, because the Celtics exceeded their season common by 10.
10. One other fast turnaround
This was the opener in a four-game homestand, because the Celtics welcome the Pistons to city Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. After that, it’s the Bucks on Friday, then Marcus Sensible’s return with the Grizzlies on Saturday.
As of Monday, the Celtics sit one sport behind the Cavaliers and have the second-best file within the NBA.
