Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Mazzulla Calls Celtics ‘Grateful’ for How Warriors Guarded Jaylen Brown
The Boston Celtics have now won 11 consecutive games, becoming the first team in NBA history to win by 50 points three times in a season. They defeated the Golden State Warriors 140-88. It was the Celtics third-largest victory in franchise history.
The game was tied 21-21, and then Boston went on a 58-13 run. Steve Kerr made the decision to shut down his starters after halftime, down 82-38. It was never close, as the Celtics' run got all the way to 100-46, with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum's combined 56 scoring more than half of the Warriors total points. The duo recorded more than 20 than the Warriors' starting five.
Steph Curry had four points and was 0-9 from three, the most missed in as many attempts as a player.
Jaylen Brown had 19 first quarter points, on 6-10 from the field to continue his scorching play since the All-Star break. Golden State continued to give him open looks from the perimeter and midrange in the opening period, making it seem as if that was their game plan. Brown was even getting emotional, firing up the crowd when the game broke open, making many assume it was due to that scheme along with the memory of Boston's Finals' loss in 2022 to the Warriors.
Joe Mazzulla summed up Golden State's game plan, with the All-NBA forward cooking to open up the game.
"Teams are gonna guard us in different ways, and we just got to stay open-minded to what gives us the best chance to win," Mazzulla said, per Inside The Celtics. "There's a game plan, but then when the game starts, the game will tell us what we need to do. I just kept saying thank you, kept empowering Jaylen. Credit to his teammates for empowering him to just continue to play."
Kerr also talked about the Warriors deciding to sag off of Brown.
"You try different things; you have to pick your matchups; we wanted Draymond (Green) to be able to help on drives, and make sure that we weren't giving up easy stuff in the paint," Kerr said. "The killer was the transition from the beginning all the way to the end. They got 42 transition points. You're not winning a game with that kind of defensive, or lack of defensive ways."
Brown has given glimpses of his superstar self from last season since coming out of the All-Star break.
The Celtics, now top-two in offensive and defensive efficiency, with the most efficient offense of all time with a top point differential and NET rating in NBA history, continue to amaze with their ways of attacking each and every game.
Boston will keep being put to the test on Tuesday and Thursday, facing both a hot Cleveland Cavaliers team and the reigning champion Denver Nuggets.
Further Reading
Warriors' 'Disrespect' Only One Source of Fuel for Jaylen Brown Sunday
'The Best Team in the NBA': Luka Doncic Struck by Celtics' Balance
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'
