Jayson Tatum scored 34, Jaylen Brown added 29, nevertheless it was the bench presence of Malcolm Brogdon (23 factors on 8/12 capturing, 7 assists, and a team-high +10) and Robert Williams (10 factors, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 blocks) that sparked the Celtics and gave them a slender 121-116 victory to shut out their street journey.
The Celtics had a 112-101 lead with six minutes remaining, however the Spurs tied it within the ultimate minute. Some clutch defensive performs from Williams and Derrick White (11 assists and three blocks) sealed the sport. The Spurs completed with eight guys scoring double figures.
On the floor, this matchup featured a workforce with the NBA’s finest file and absolutely wholesome roster in opposition to one of many league’s worst groups enjoying with out its three finest gamers (Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Jacob Poeltl). However simply trying on the final 15 video games, these groups are shockingly comparable. The Spurs have a 7-8 file and 115.6 offensive ranking, whereas the Celtics are 8-7 with a 112.7 O-RTG. As we realized from Tuesday’s debacle in Oklahoma Metropolis, not respecting a much less proficient opponent is a simple system for a disappointing loss.
The Celtics performed stout protection from the tip, forcing seven San Antonio misses to open the sport. Romeo Langford, beginning his twelfth sport of the season, acquired them on the board with a slicing layup. In Derrick White’s first sport in opposition to his former workforce, he responded with an and-1, and the Celtics constructed an early double-digit lead. The Spurs honored him with this tribute video:
White had a robust first quarter, tallying 7 factors, 3 assists, and a pair of blocks. Malaki Branham and Stanley Johnson led a bench unit that scored 16 first-quarter factors, getting the Spurs again within the sport after they regarded overmatched at the start. The Celtics led 33-30 after twelve minutes.
Tatum scored 10 factors to open the second quarter, prompting Gregg Popovich to name two timeouts in 4 minutes. Pop’s well-known for his fast early-quarter timeouts, however tonight he appeared significantly dissatisfied along with his workforce’s effort. Zach Collins regarded like he acquired the message, as he scored 10 second-quarter factors on 4/4 capturing.
With a minute left within the half, Robert Williams made this play that briefly turned NBC Boston’s Brian Scalabrine right into a fan:
The Celtics led 68-57 at half. It ought to have been extra, however they missed a couple of free throws and had two turnovers within the ultimate minute. Nonetheless, the Celtics performed a powerful half of basketball, capturing 55 p.c from the sector and 53 p.c from three whereas gathering 17 assists. The Jays mixed for 35 and Malcolm Brogdon scored 11 factors on 4/5 capturing. For the Spurs, Josh Richardson scored 10 off the bench, and though they struggled from deep, they shot 53 p.c from two-point vary.
The Celtics might have made an announcement with a robust third-quarter begin, however as an alternative they opened capturing 1/6 with two turnovers. A Langford teardrop capped a 13-3 Spurs run, and the Celtics 11-point lead was minimize to at least one. San Antonio made it aggressive, however they may by no means take a lead.
Timelord checked in at 3:43 and instantly injected life into the sport. First, he had an impressive transition block on Branham, then discovered Tatum on a backdoor minimize, and completed the quarter with a baseline dunk off a Brogdon help. The Celtics took a 93-89 lead into the 4th quarter. Tre Jones led the Spurs with 11 third-quarter factors and Marcus Sensible went again to the locker room with a knee contusion.
Brodgon and Doug McDermott traded buckets to open the ultimate interval, then Sam Hauser rattled in a 3 to offer the Celtics a 103-95 lead. Following a timeout, Joe Mazzulla gave Brogdon the keys to the offense on each possession, and he proceeded to slice and cube no matter protection the Spurs had been throwing at him. He discovered Brown on a minimize to the rim then arrange Tatum for a 3, and Boston’s lead grew to 11.
Boston maintained their double digit lead till 5 minute mark when the Spurs got here roaring again. Jeremy Sochan scored on two straight possessions to chop the rating to 114-109, then Langford’s 17-footer with 1:42 remaining minimize the result in three. He got here again the subsequent possession and transformed on a layup, then Richardson hit a wing three to tie the sport at 116 with 37 seconds to play.
Tatum responded with an easy one-legged baseline jumper, and on the subsequent defensive possession, Timelord performed lockdown protection on Langford and Al Horford secured the rebound. It was a little bit of an journey inbounding the ball, and Tatum missed a free throw that may have put the sport out of attain, however Boston secured the offensive rebound and Brogdon hit two free throws to cap a 121-116 win.
The Celtics enhance to 28-12 and return residence on Monday to play the Bulls.
