After a brutal loss to the Lakers, The Celtics needed a win to close out the road trip on a high note, and keep pace with the rest of the pack in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Like we’ve seen before, the Celtics started off hot, but went cold in the second half as the Suns quickly erased a 17 point halftime lead and were within one possession late in fourth. However, led by Isaiah Thomas late in the fourth, the Celtics were able to get by the Suns 115-110. Lets get into some of the things we liked and didn’t like.
UP
1. The Tacoma Tandem
A night after being ejected, Isaiah Thomas kept his composure, with 6 of his 7 assists coming in the first half when the Suns were hell-bent on not allowing him to get hot (he still managed 10 points, though). Then, he scored 8 of his 11 second half points in the final two minutes of the game highlighted by a 4 point play after big Eric Bledsoe’s 3. Then driving by Bledsoe and making a ridiculous Iverson-like layup while letting the Suns bench know about it. For the second straight night, Isaiah put up big scoring numbers while still not having a full grasp of the playbook, and showed he knows how to close out games. His hometown mate Avery Bradley was not to be out done himself scoring 23 points, including some big baskets down the stretch. He also played tenacious defense all night, racking up 6 steals in the process. The two combined for 44 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 7 steals. They’ve also shown the capability to elevate their game when the score gets tight, and I’d be shocked if they aren’t in at the end of every game from here on out.
2. Jae Crowder doing it all
For a guy who couldn’t even break the Mavericks rotation, Jae Crowder is playing above and beyond any expectations most fans had for him. He had a rough shooting night going 4/13, but he made his presence known on the boards grabbing 7 rebounds, and he found open teammates dishing out four assists. But the most important thing he did for the Celtics wasn’t something you can find on the stat sheet. Crowder has had the task of playing and defending both forward positions, and his done a fantastic job of that while still contributing on the offense end at the same level he’s always been. I’ve been saying this for a few weeks now, but it’s worth saying again, he does a lot of the same things that Draymond Green is doing.
3. Lived by the 3
After shooting a horrendous 8/33 from three against the Lakers, Boston had much better luck against the Suns going 14/29, a blistering 48%. A lot of that was due to some lackadaisical defense on the Suns part, but you still have to make the shots, and Boston certainly did.
4. Brandon Bass
It’s still a shock that he’s in a Celtics uniform, but man I’m going to have a hard time watching him play for another team next season. Without bringing any bigs off the bench, the Celtics were forced to rely on Bass and Zeller for big minutes with the two combining for 67.7% of all available frontcourt minutes. Bass made the most of his time scoring 18 points to go along with 6 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting an efficient 7/11 from the field. With a young team like us, the Celtics are going to need the stabilizing effort Bass brings to table if they have any playoff aspirations.
Down
1. Blowing big leads
I know I should be used be used to it, but it’s still infuriating. Just once I want to go into halftime with a big lead, and be more confident. At this point most of us feel a lot safer being down 5, then being up 20.
2. Man handled down low
When you play small like the Celtics were forced to, the punishment for it can be brutal. The Suns collected 15 offensive rebounds, had 7 blocks, and scored 62 points in the paint. Not something you want to write home about.
3. Getting out in transition
The Suns used their patent non-stop up and down basketball to get back in the game when they were down big. They were +15 in Fastbreak points, out scoring the Celtics 29-14.
4. Big win, but not much movement in standings
Because the Heat and Nets each won their games last night, the Celtics are still two games back of the Nets for the last spot playoff spot. But they are now a game behind the 9th seed which is currently a 3 way tie between Detroit, Indiana, and Charlotte. The Pacers are going up against the Thunder, and the Pistons are going up against the Cavaliers tonight. Charlotte has Chicago Wednesday while Boston plays the Knicks. On Friday night the Celtics will play the Hornets at the Garden in a game that will have huge playoff implications, so this week will be big for the Celtics to say the least.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
