The Celtics were keen to redeem themselves and succeeded in their mission quite well. The reigning champions thus won on Wednesday against the Nets (114-139) to avoid two defeats in a row against mid-table teams in the Eastern Conference after their setback against Atlanta. The expected reaction took place, even if it took some time to arrive.
This is not the first time this season: the Boston starters were a little late in starting. Derrick White is on the inside (three fouls and three lost balls in the first quarter alone) and with the exception of Jayson Tatum, Joe Mazzulla’s five seriously lacks bite. The Nets take advantage, with a very good Ziaire Williams (11 points out of his 23 in the evening) and lead 26-13.
The entries of Payton Prichard and Sam Hauser give a boost to the Celtics, the first taking care of everything in the second act to support Jaylen Brown, in turn in rhythm. This is a lot for Brooklyn, who is struggling to keep up with the pace. Having passed in front at rest (60-65), Boston will no longer loosen its grip. Even the sequence of two matches in two evenings does not seem to give heavy legs to the visitors, who find their identity.
3-point shots are falling everywhere and Jayson Tatum leads the way in one of his best games of the start of the season with 15 points in the third quarter.
Above all, the stray bullets which had been costly against the Hawks the day before disappeared and offered more ammunition to Joe Mazzulla’s men. This gives 76 points in the second period, helped by the Nets who gave up, and an ultimately comfortable success before three days of rest.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Jayson Tatum MVP style. In an evening where enormous performances have multiplied, the evening of “JT” risks going a little unnoticed. The Celtics winger nevertheless delivered a magnificent performance, a boss’s game to revive his team in the first quarter, then make them take off in the third. “JT” misses the triple-double for a rebound, and confirms that his outside shot is better with a nice 5/6 at 3-points.
– The Celtics replacements did the job. In back-to-back, Joe Mazzulla has chosen a rotation reduced to eight players. A profitable idea. Little in sight against the Hawks, Payton Pritchard rebounded superbly, becoming a third offensive option (23 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) in the evening without Derrick White. Sam Hauser hit four times from distance, and even Luke Kornet chipped in in the absence of Al Horford.
