Avery Bradley scored 19 points in the first-through-third quarters, then Jared Sullinger finished things off with 15 4th quarter points as the Celtics out-lasted the Minnesota Timberwolves 101-97.
The Celtics started out hot, but they gave back all of an 8 point first quarter lead and more, trailing by 6 at one point. But Bradley was there through 3 quarters to pick up the Celtics. Sullinger’s tenacity paid off in the 4th. Not only did he hit 5 of 7 shots, he went to the line 6 times and outscored the rest of his C’s teammates in the quarter by 3.
The Celtics are now 12-14, which is good enough to lead the Craplantic division.
The Green:
Sullinger beast-mode 4th quarter was a sight. Kid was everywhere.
Avery Bradley is on an offensive tear. He was 8-12 from inside the arc (1-5 from 3).
Kelly Olynyk and Vitor Faverani had their positive moments in the game. Fav had a 3rd quarter stretch where he helped keep the C’s afloat and Olynyk hit two 3’s from the right wing when he was left un-guarded.
Phil Pressey enjoyed his matchup with JJ Barea. They’re a combined 6’6″, but they battle each other pretty hard.
The Gross:
Brandon Bass was n0n-existent, mostly because of foul trouble. He had 0 points and 3 rebounds.
Had the Celtics lost, this would have been a game where the officials got blamed. My disdain for ref-blaming is well documented, but occasionally I have to acquiesce and admit that the officiating at times in this game was brutal. Thanks Bill Kennedy and Eddie F. Rush.
Jeff Green had a rough shooting night. 3-11 for 8 points and 3 turnovers.
The Greenlights:
AB caps off an early 6-0 personal run with the dunk
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JicstYtxDhE]This kid moves just like Chuck did at high school dances
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXJTW0mkJ6w]Nikola Pekovic is NOT a point guard
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99cVRta_ogI]The Grid:
- Kevin Love was 9-26.
- Ricky Rubio was 2-12.
- Combined, they were 11 of 38.
- Sullinger & Bradley were a combined 16 of 31.
- Humphries: 8 pts (4-5 fg) 7 reb.
Solid win. The Celtics are now 12-14. By virtue of leading the Atlantic, the C’s are now the 4th seed. I know that freaks a lot of people out, but the Nets are only 2 games away, and the Knicks are four. The Celtics are closer to the bottom of the East (6 games) than they are to the top (9 games). It’s not even Christmas.
It’s early. Chill out. It’ll all work out fine.
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