Another week, another set of good performances from the Boston Celtics. Boston won three of their four games this week, most of which were close throughout. Though the injury bug is starting to hit, for the most part it did not faze the Celtics, as they were able to maintain a high level of play.
Celtics Fly High in Atlanta
Final Score: Celtics beat the Hawks 123-93
The Celtics continued their dominant style of play against a gritty Hawks team. Though they did not shoot well from three (32.7%), the Celtics found other ways to score. They out-assisted Atlanta 27-23 and outrebounded Atlanta 50-43, both of which were big contributors to the opportunities Boston had to gain a lead.
With Jaylen Brown missing this contest with a hip pointer, center Neemias Queta got the start, becoming the first Portuguese-born player in NBA history to start an NBA game. Queta was great, doing exactly what the team needed from him. He rebounded well, while also providing elite rim protection and efficient scoring in the 23 minutes he played. As Queta's role is growing for Boston, you can't help but see shades of former Celtic Robert Williams when he plays. If Queta can play the role that Williams once played for Boston, it will not only add an entirely new dynamic to the team but also add much-needed depth to an injury-prone position.
As a team, the Celtics adapted very nicely throughout the game. They realized that they were not going to win the game by shooting threes, so they changed up the game plan and won the game with their defense. This was their best defensively played game of the season, holding Atlanta to under 100 points. Boston also locked down star guard Trae Young, holding him to just 2 points on 1/10 shooting (0/6 from three).
Celtics Fall Short Against Golden State
Final Score: Warriors beat Celtics 118-112
This game felt a little more important than it typically would have been. For those unfamiliar as to why that may be, during the Summer Olympics one of the biggest controversies was USA Men's Basketball coach Steve Kerr choosing not to include Jaylen Brown on the roster, while also benching Jayson Tatum and not playing him at all in two different games. So, you could say the J's, as well as many Celtics fans, had this date circled on their calendar, as Kerr is the Head Coach for the Golden State Warriors. With Brown out once again, it was up to Tatum to get the 'revenge' over Kerr and the Warriors, and to show the world why Kerr made a mistake by benching him on an international stage.
However, it was just not the Celtics' night. Though Tatum showed up, scoring 32 points on 10/20 shooting (5/10 from three), the Celtics could not find a way to stop the Warriors' high-powered offense. They left too many open players on the perimeter and were not taking quality shots throughout the game.
With that being said, there is only so much you can do when a team is having a good night. The Warriors shot 41.2% from three, while also outrebounding the Celtics 53-47. Steph Curry was fantastic, scoring 27 points on 8/17 shooting (4-9 from three), while receiving help from the likes of Andrew Wiggins and Buddy Hield, who both had 16 points.
Every team has off-nights, even teams like the Celtics. It was just unfortunate that it came during a very important game for the team.
Celtics Survive Against Brooklyn
Final Score: Celtics beat Nets in OT 108-104
This one was an absolute nail-biter. First and foremost, the Brooklyn Nets are a much better team than most thought. They might not be a legitimate playoff contender, but they definitely have some talent on the roster and know how to keep themselves in games, even against superior competition.
Neither team shot the ball well. Boston shot 43.3% from the field (26.4% from three), while Brooklyn shot 41% from the field (26.3% from three). Brooklyn won the rebounding battle 51-39, but it was not enough to hold off the Celtics in the end.
With no Brown once again, Tatum led the way with 33 points on 11 of 25 shooting (5/13 from three), while also receiving much-needed help from Jrue Holiday (17 points and elite defense) and Payton Pritchard (20 points). Al Horford and Neemias Queta each had 10 rebounds, while Derrick White shot 45% from three.
This was a hard-fought, much-earned win for the Celtics. They were tested all game long, but were never fazed by any attempt Brooklyn made to pull away.
Brown Returns; Celtics Beat Bucks
Final Score: Celtics beat Bucks 113-107
The Celtics handled business against a struggling Bucks team on the road. Though their shooting was not efficient, what won them the game was their defensive game plan. They let Giannis Antetokounmpo (43 points) do what he wanted, but shut down the supporting cast. No other player scored over 15 points, which was the story of the game.
Offensively, Tatum filled the stat sheet, scoring 31 points, along with 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Prichard also contributed effectively, scoring 18 points on 60% shooting. Having Brown back gave Boston a much-needed defensive boost, as he held Bucks' Guard Damian Lillard to just 14 points.
Boston did what they needed to do to finish out the week with a win. They played good team basketball, patched up their perimeter defense, and out-rebounded and out-assisted Milwaukee. Though the Bucks kept it close, Boston's late-game experience as a team was what ultimately helped them come out victorious.
Takeaway From The Week
Boston continues to show the league why they are among the best. Tatum has looked like a legit MVP contender so far, averaging 30 points a game on efficient shooting splits. Payton Pritchard has made a significant name for himself, as he's been one of the best bench players in the league. Brown (in the games he's played) and White look like All-Stars, providing the backbone of what it means to play Celtic basketball. The likes of Holiday, Horford, and Queta are also doing exactly what they need to do to help the team win. They've been providing great defense and will pick up wherever the team is slacking on. Boston is in great shape and will only get better moving forward.
Stay tuned for more Celtics content, and be sure to check out fansonlysportz.com for more sports media content posted daily.
Catch you next time!
-Matt Hylen
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