Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Circumvent Tatum and Brown's Low Scoring to Beat Rockets
The Boston Celtics bounced back from Friday's 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets, earning a 116-107 win against the Houston Rockets on Sunday, completing their sweep of the two's regular-season series.
Ime Udoka instructed the hosts, who are in the top ten in defensive rating, to load up on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but the former put 18 points on the board and grabbed seven rebounds.
The latter notched his third-career triple-double, putting 13 points on the board, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out ten assists. He was at the center of the visitors' pushing the pace and creating quality shots for much of a matchup that they finished with 31 assists on 43 field goals.
And with the Celtics' stars asked to defer, Kristaps Porzingis picked up the scoring slack, manufacturing a game-high 32 points. The seven-foot-three center buried 6/11 threes, punished smaller defenders in the mid and low post, snagged six rebounds, and had five of Boston's 12 blocks.
The C's also got 21 points, a career-high 11 rebounds, and two blocks from Derrick White, who had more uncharacteristic mistakes than usual but stepped up offensively while making an all-around impact.
Now for a deep dive into what stood out as the Celtics improved to 33-10, including crucial contributions from the second unit, another concerning third quarter, and a 23-10 advantage in second-chance scoring that helped propel Boston back into the win column.
1. After getting only six shots in the final three-quarters of Friday's 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Celtics repeatedly fed Kristaps Porzingis in the first frame on Sunday.
The best part was that, while intentional, Boston didn't stray from the structure of its offense to do so. It was often getting him the ball on pick-and-pops or delivering it to the seven-foot-three center in the low post against undersized opponents.
Like Friday, the Latvian native produced 15 points. He was the only player on either side to score in double-figures in the first 12 minutes.
2. Porzingis, who drilled 3/5 shots from beyond the arc, also grabbed two offensive rebounds, helping the visitors manufacture a 10-0 advantage in second-chance scoring.
That aided a 13-3 run that allowed the Celtics to seize control in the early going, propelling them to a 35-25 lead entering the second quarter.
3. Forcing five Houston turnovers in the second frame helped the C's continue to push the pace, fueling outstanding ball movement that consistently created quality looks, often from three-point range.
Boston buried 10/24 (41.7 percent) of its attempts from behind the arc in the first half, with Payton Pritchard's swish from 28 feet as the shot clock expired, exemplifying the rhythm the visitors were in.
4. And while Ime Udoka had the Rockets load up to slow down Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who combined for 14 points in the first 24 minutes, by keeping their foot on the gas, making the extra pass, staying well spaced and moving the ball side to side, the Celtics assisted on 19 of 26 field goals -- five of which belonged to Brown -- keying a 70-55 advantage at intermission.
5. Derrick White, who had two of the visitors' six blocks in the first two frames, entered the break with 20 points, pacing all participants.
Boston also got a terrific first-half performance from Sam Hauser. The third-year veteran, starting in place of Jrue Holiday, knocked down three shots from beyond the arc, putting nine points on the board, and distributed three assists.
Oshae Brissett also stepped up for the short-handed Celtics, who were without Holiday and Al Horford, scoring from the mid-range, euro-stepping his way to two points, dishing out two assists, and contributing to his team's 19-0 advantage in second-chance scoring.
He continues to make a strong case for internally filling Boston's search for a big wing.
6. While the Celtics have been better in the third quarter this season, there's something about halftime that throws them out of rhythm. It's paramount they figure it out by the playoffs. But at this point, it seems more likely that they'll have to do their best to overcome it.
Failing to match the hosts' energy, the Rockets ripped off an 11-0 run, storming back into the game and pulling within six, 83-77, with just under four minutes left in the period after an errant pass by Hauser led to a Jae'Sean Tate bucket.
While both teams committed five turnovers in the first 12 minutes after the break, Houston parlayed Boston's giveaways into an 8-2 edge in points off those mistakes, helping them stay within ten, 90-80, entering the final frame.
7. But credit to the visitors, they regained their groove in the last 12 minutes, with Porzingis leading the charge offensively, generating six points, punishing Houston from the mid-post.
Boston also got a spark off the bench from Luke Kornet, who twice rotated to register a rejection, grabbed two offensive rebounds, and had a second-chance bucket to help get his team back in the win column with a 116-107 victory.
8. The Celtics are on to Dallas for the second half of this back-to-back. Monday night's matchup against the Mavericks will tip off at 8:30 EST.
Further Reading
JD Davison Shares Message to Jordan Walsh Before Rookie's NBA Debut
Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'
Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'
Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'
Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So
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'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
