Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics Catch Fire from 3, Jaylen Brown Delivers 37-Point Masterpiece as Boston Bests Suns
The first half of Thursday's Celtics-Suns game felt like a track meet. Both teams relentlessly pushed the pace and produced at least 60 points.
Jayson Tatum, in rhythm from the opening tip, generated 14 points in the first frame and entered intermission with 23 points on 9/11 shooting. He buried 4/6 from attempts beyond the arc, including a pair over Kevin Durant as the second quarter neared its close.
And while Boston struggled to keep Phoenix off the boards, surrendering 13 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points, the hosts can trace their 65-60 halftime edge to how it ended the opening period.
Joe Mazzulla preaches the importance of closing quarters on a high note and how it sets the tone for what's to come in the ensuing frame. Thursday, a 10-2 finish to the first, in which the Celtics significantly raised their play defensively, finding increased energy that translated to walling off drives, challenging shots, and forcing turnovers, fueled their offense.
Feeding off a juiced-up crowd at TD Garden, Jaylen Brown took the baton from there, bullying his way through defenders' chests, including Bradley Beal's on multiple occasions, en route to putting 15 points on the board in the second period and 20 by halftime.
After the break, Boston did a much better job pairing impactful first-shot defense with limiting the visitors to one attempt per possession. The C's held their guests to two offensive rebounds and outscored them 6-2 on second-chance opportunities.
They also got eight points from Sam Hauser, saw the pairing of Xavier Tillman and Al Horford continue to work well without compromising spacing, and entered the final frame having parlayed 12 Suns giveaways into a 16-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
That helped them maintain an up-tempo operation, consistently create quality, in-rhythm shots, and grow their lead to 102-85 entering the last 12 minutes.
And with Phoenix having no answer for Brown, who finished with a game-high 37 points, and the hosts remaining red hot from three-point range, converting on 25/48 (52.1 percent) attempts from beyond the arc before emptying the bench while the Celtics held them to 1/4 shooting from long range before the extended rotation applied the finishing touches, Boston cruised to a 127-112 win.
Tatum, who enjoyed most of the fourth quarter from the bench, only playing 4:08 of the final 12 minutes, finished Thursday's victory with 26 points on 10/18 shooting.
The five-time All-Star drilled 4/8 attempts from beyond the arc and dished out five assists. He repeatedly made the visitors pay for guarding him well above the three-point line and trying to force the ball out of his hands, and he grabbed five rebounds.
The Celtics also got a phenomenal performance from Al Horford.
The 16-year veteran turned in a season-high 24 points, made 8/14 shots he hoisted, including 6/10 threes, swiped three steals, had a block, and performed exceptionally as a stand-alone center and in double-big lineups.
The hosts also got a terrific game from Jrue Holiday, who thrived as a decision-maker in transition, dishing out ten assists, the most in the matchup.
Derrick White stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block.
Boston finished 25/50 from beyond the arc, assisted on 31/47 field goals, held Phoenix to under 30 points in each of the final three periods, and limited the visitors to 11/31 (35.5 percent) from three-point range for the evening, bending the contest in its favor.
They also manufactured a 24-8 advantage in fast-break scoring and parlayed 14 Suns' turnovers into 18 points.
Those wins on the margins allowed them to control the pace of play, maintain an up-tempo approach, and consistently create quality, in-rhythm attempts as Phoenix failed to slow down their attack.
After their 15-point win at TD Garden, the Celtics head to the nation's capital for a Sunday showdown against the Washington Wizards. That game will tip off at 6:00 p.m. EST.
Further Reading
Celtics Cap Road Trip by Making Franchise History in Win vs. Jazz
'Always Ready': Celtics Second Unit Shines in Portland
Jayson Tatum Plays Entire Second Half vs. Suns: 'Don't Really Say That Many Times'
Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent
Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented
Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'
Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
