Despite a few turnovers, 5 to be exact, Boston had a decent 1st quarter. They were aggressive for the most part, but Utah’s bigs were up to the challenge. Derrick Favors led a rim-protecting Utah defense that let Boston know it meant business early. But the C’s persisted, and were tied with the Jazz 17-17 after 1Q.
Led by Tayshaun Princem& Marcus Smart, the Boston bench (and Bradley) played exceptionally well in tonight’s 2nd quarter. Prince has been nothing but solid since the veteran joined the C’s. He led Boston to a 38-point quarter on the offensive end. Defensively, the Celts had their best quarter of the year, holding Utah to just 14 points. Things clicked on all cylinders as Prince had 10 points and Avery Bradley put in 10 of his own. Boston went into the half up 55-31. Other than a few minutes of the 1st quarter, Boston was waxing the Jazz in their own building. Boston’s bench had 25 of the Celts’ first half points.
And then..the 3rd quarter happened. Utah looked like a completely different team and overwhelmed the C’s with an 18-0 run. The Jazz were “super aggressive” as Mike Gorman said and just opened up a can of whoop ass. After going into the half up 24, the Celtics’ lead was down to just six points. It was 62-56 Utah with 2:55 to go in the 3rd. Boston did manage to hang in there, as they held a 71-66 lead heading into the final quarter. Hats off to Marcus Thornton who’s heady play late in the 3rd kept Utah from totally taking things over.
Like the two previous games, the Celtics showed plenty of fight going down the stretch. Just when it looked like Boston would fold late, the C’s played some consistent ball in the 4th. This time it was Tyler Zeller & Marcus Thornton making the big plays. Zeller & Thornton each put in 6 points in the quarter and Boston avoids a total meltdown. The Celtics played some great defense in the final quarter and also hit their free-throws, shooting 10 of 12 from the line in the 4th. Boston wins 99-90 tonight in Utah. Brad Stevens has this group playing with purpose and a lot of heart. Kudos to the coach-this was the squad’s 4th game in 5 nights on the road. Gordon Hayward led all scorers with 26 points. The team now heads to Minny where they face the Wolves on Wednesday night to wrap up this trip.
Looking very nasty outside here in Boston tonight-be safe out there east coast. Get some food, drink & hunker down….
The Green:
- Who else-Tayshaun Prince did it all again tonight. In 30 minutes, Prince had 19 points, 5 assists & 2 rebounds. Not to mention his strong veteran play/savvy all night.
- Tyler Zeller had 14 & 7 tonight to go with 2 blocks. He shot 75% from the floor
- Somewhat quiet but solid night again from Sully & Bass the two combined for 20 points & 16 boards. Marcus Smart’s numbers don’t leap off the page, but he played good defense, drew a charge and had 9 points, 5 assists & 3 boards in 28 minutes.
The Gross:
- C’s were outscored 35-16 in the 3rd, where they also had 6 turnovers
The Greenlights:
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The Grid: ( quick stats)
- The Jazz had 10 blocks
- Boston went 21 of 23 from the line
- Celtics held their own with one of the NBA’s best rebounding teams: 39 boards for Utah & 37 for Boston.
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