The Celtics won at Portland on Tuesday night, 116-115, and is there any doubt that they would’ve lost this game if it had been played a few weeks ago? After being the league’s worst fourth-quarter team for at least half the season, they’ve turned it around. The Cs have won six of their last seven, largely by out-executing their opponents in crunch time.
Boston had 30 assists, made 15 threes and got to the free throw line more than Portland – all that being usually the right recipe for success.
Jayson Friggin’ Tatum
Last night at halftime, Tatum had just 7 points after attempting only 5 shots – not much involvement for the player with a 29.4 usage rate (19th in the league). He made up for that by scoring 17 in the third quarter on 6 of 8 shooting.
In the fourth, with a one-point lead that was in no way secure against the Blazers’ shooters, Tatum gave Boston just enough cushion to survive the final seconds, when Portland’s Norman Powell hit a desperation three to cut the margin back to one.
JAYSON TATUM FOR THREE pic.twitter.com/vDfV7eBa65
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 14, 2021
That shot was drilled, and it’s the type of clutch play the Celtics rely on from their best baller. Tatum has been in such a groove lately:
Jayson Tatum is averaging 29.6 points on 50.2% shooting (40.4% 3-PT, 91.8% FT), 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steal over his last 11 games
He's reached the 20-point mark in all 11 contests
— Celtics Stats (@celtics_stats) April 14, 2021
JT finished with a game-high 32 points on 10 of 17 shots (4 of 7 threes) and 8 of 10 at the line (another aggressive night attacking the rim). He added 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Smart’s grit and balls
Chuck featured Marcus Smart’s classic hustle sequence in this morning’s Dump, but it’s so good we must look at it again.
The hustle… Marcus Smart doesn't stop! 🙌
57-51 BOS lead on TNT pic.twitter.com/J639USR9sn
— NBA (@NBA) April 14, 2021
Smart was a defensive demon against Portland, especially his hounding of Damian Lillard. Chris Forsberg tweeted the results of the defense against Dame:
When defended by Marcus Smart, Lillard shot 1 of 5 for 3 points and committed 2 turnovers. When guarded by anybody else: 8 of 16 FGs, 25 points, 1 TO.
Meanwhile, Marcus was 4 of 9 (and 3 of 5 on threes) for 13 points, and he added 7 assists. Smart also made the right play to deny Portland a reasonable chance to win the game. Even Dame doesn’t have full-court range.
Brad Stevens told Marcus Smart to intentionally miss a free throw up 1 to win the game for the Boston Celtics – Quick Breakdown: pic.twitter.com/RWftM1AfwT
— Coach Gibson Pyper (@HalfCourtHoops) April 14, 2021
You might recall that Smart had tried an intentional miss at the end of the Dallas game two weeks ago. He failed to hit the rim that time. Last night was perfect; it’s a good bet he practiced.
An enigma
Kemba Walker has had a perplexing season. We don’t know what to expect from him from one game to the next, or even one quarter to the next.
Last night he was on fire early, draining 3 triples and posting 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 10 minutes. But for the rest of the way, his shot deserted him (1 of 7 from the arc in quarters 2-4). He finished with 21/8/7 and shot 7 of 17 (4 of 11 on threes)., which is a fine stat line. He knee appears to be okay, so more consistency from him would be a huge lift for this team.
Kanter
Whatever you thought of Enes Kanter as a Celtic, you have to admit he must be a good teammate. He may not play any defense, but in the bubble last year, he kept things loose by challenging Smart to fake wrestling matches and generally being a goofball. He and his bros miss each other.
Jaylen Brown and @EnesKanter reunited 🥺 pic.twitter.com/VW4PcYEOIJ
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 14, 2021
Kanter finished with 9 points and 10 rebounds, way below his recent outing of 24 and 30, but his former teammates were entertained.
Enes Kanter is on a clear charm offensive with his former Celtics teammates. Everyone is smiling like it's a cocktail party.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) April 14, 2021
Standings
With this one win, the Celtics moved from 7th in the East to 5th place, one game behind Atlanta. The Hawks hold the head-to-head tie-breaker. There are only 17 games remaining, so we’re into scoreboard watching and trying to avoid the play-in tournament (involving 7th through 10th place).
Nine games are at home, including a two-game visit from the Heat. Eight are on the road, including the last three of the season (Cavs, Wolves and Knicks).
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