The Celtics start the game with a simple scheme: target Grayson Allen on defense. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum try to push him in the post, and it works…intermittently. The Suns, for their part, rely on an already very offensive Kevin Durant, in line with his 45 pts match, despite a few poorly assured passes. Boston finished the quarter better, with a 10-2 lead, and took control (35-32).
Thanks to offensive rebounds and second chance points, from Bol Bol in particular, the Suns remain in the rhythm. After a winning basket in the latter's corner, the Arizona players even went ahead. Jayson Tatum sends two winning shots in a row on the head of Kevin Durant to give the Celtics some air before the break (65-60).
A fatal 11-0
Returning from the locker room is very complicated for the Suns. Boston's defense is well in place, they miss shots, lose balls (stolen by the opponent) and Joe Mazzulla's troops run a lot.
It's going too fast and the baskets are coming one after another. After an 11-0, we are very close to the fifteen point difference. She was overtaken a few moments later, as 3-point spaces were so important for Al Horford and his teammates. There are then twenty points difference. The Suns sank in this third quarter (102-85).
And even if Bradley Beal and company still had hope, it was quickly snuffed out by an impeccable Jaylen Brown, from near and far. Then by the award-winning baskets of Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Derrick White. Logical victory for Boston 127-112, which ends this meeting with a superb 25/50 at 3-pts.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The third quarter demonstration. Until halftime, even dominated, the Suns were in the game. Then, like so many other teams before them, they exploded against the offensive power of the league leaders. Kevin Durant and his teammates were not clumsy in this third quarter, far from it, but they lost balls because of Boston's defense, and in transition, the Celtics did poorly. And even more so at 3-point, where the shooters had a lot (much too much) freedom. The waves broke and the difference was made in those minutes.
– The Jay's assisted by Al Horford. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum had their match. The former often played with a hammer to hammer his opponents. He was skillful from afar too, finishing with 37 points. The second was more discreet, although his two shots on the head of Kevin Durant at the end of the second quarter were a highlight of this match. He scored 26 points, and the two posted a very clean 9/17 at 3-pts. Above all, they were helped by Al Horford, still as valuable in attack (24 points) as in defense (3 interceptions), and who showed himself to his advantage against his friend from the 2007 Draft, Kevin Durant, who was in much more difficulty after his successful first quarter.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
