Five games, five victories and a consolidated first place in the Eastern Conference: this is the situation of the Celtics this morning, after their victory at Brooklyn It front of Nets (124-114).
Opposed to a team which had won three games in a row but which was in “back-to-back” after a victory the day before in Chicago, the players of Bostonwith the exception of a gap in attack in the third quarter (18 points at 40% shooting), once again impressed in attack (124 points at 48% shooting).
Unsurprisingly, it is Jayson Tatum who led the charge (32 points and 11 rebounds), while Jaylen Brown (23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists), Kristaps Porzingis (22 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks) and a Jrue Holiday almost a triple-double (18 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists!) also followed in his wake.
Although they went from -14 to -1 at the start of the last act, the Nets simply collapsed at the end of the game against the firepower of the Celtics in attack. A final act during which the Celtics defense also did damage, forcing complicated shots in a poorly constructed game. All this without even resorting too much to “switches”, but simply by relying on their physical domination in this area.
After two difficult last matches, Cam Thomas was once again the most prominent Net with his offensive qualities (27 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists), while Mikal Bridges (19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists) and Spencer Dinwiddie (19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists) were not unworthy either.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Boston at the top of the Eastern Conference. Best attack in the league (127 points on average per game) and above all holder of the best “Net Rating”, with an impressive +20.4, the Celtics once again confirmed this formula against the Nets: their offensive volume can in sequences reach ‘indefensible while, on the other side of the field, their defense is solid to the point of being able to kill a match alone.
– 10,000 points for Jayson Tatum! It was in the second quarter that Jayson Tatum scored his 10,000th career point. At 25, the All-Star winger becomes the youngest Celtic to reach this milestone, and he erases Antoine Walker, who was 26, from the books.
– DIY in Brooklyn. Six matches, four different starting fives! Jacque Vaughn is forced to juggle his rotation due to everyone’s absences. For this “back-to-back”, he presented himself with Spencer Dinwiddie, Cam Thomas, Mikal Bridges, Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith. A very “small ball” five.
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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.