The Boston Celtics (26-6) improved on their league-best report with a dominant street victory over the San Antonio Spurs (5-27). Any likelihood of a Spurs comeback was executed in by a putrid third quarter (outscored 23-40), and the Celtics owned the hosts on the boards (56 to 39) and from the sector (54% to 43%).
San Antonio, absent rotation gamers Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson, received its predominant manufacturing from Victor Wembanyama (21 factors and seven rebounds) and Devin Vassell (22 factors, 5 rebounds, and a pair of steals).
Boston, lacking Jrue Vacation, introduced Al Horford into the beginning line-up to protect Wembanyama, and acquired its greatest manufacturing unsurprisingly from Jayson Tatum (25 factors and 6 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (24 factors and 6 rebounds) with regular playmaking from Derrick White (17 factors and 5 assists).
Former Spur White shot out of the gate with 4 buckets within the first quarter, and the Celtics took benefit of a porous paint for early success. Wembanyama and Vassell have been the Spurs’ predominant reply all through the body, and went down eight after one quarter.
Boston took benefit of a determined rebound benefit to increase possessions, and Tatum discovered his taking pictures contact within the second interval. Wembanyama compiled 15 factors earlier than getting another statistic (2 assists), and Vassell was practically in a position to match his manufacturing with scant help elsewhere.
Brown awoke from a half-game slumber and detonated on any defender in his neighborhood within the third interval because the Celtics ran their lead as much as 28 at one level. Brown and White led a dunk and 3-pointer parade all through the body, whereas it appeared like Wembanyama was producing principally by himself.
Observations
Pounders – doing Last Scores is likely one of the issues that really brings me pleasure on this existence. Thanks and Blissful New Yr!
Victor Ease: Aspect-step three? He made it look very simple early in first half motion. There’s no manner that any participant might block the shot at its apex.
Devin’s Deeds: Close to the top of the primary interval, he took the dribble into the paint and did a two-footed cease for a pop-a-shot. It seems like he might common 4-6 extra factors if he pushed the ball in transition.
Blake Wesley, although not trying like he made a lot of a visual influence, dished out 4 assists in his handful of first half minutes!
Sequence of the Recreation: Sochan, late within the first half, discovered a streaking Malaki Branham for an electrifying dunk and-1.
One might begin a consuming recreation with what number of instances Sean Elliott has quipped “that’s not a move you’ll have seen a couple of weeks in the past” as San Antonio sought out Wemby extra typically on the assault.
White’s (8 factors) early offense allowed Boston to leap forward within the first. When he wasn’t getting buckets, he discovered simple offense for Luke Kornet. On a quick break, Vassell in some way threw a missile over Wembanyama by a great 10-12 toes. Kornet turned away two Spurs pictures on the tim, and the Celtics leapt forward by 9. Vassell and Wembanyama did their greatest to counter on the different finish, however regardless of Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis combining for one discipline purpose, Boston left the primary up by eight.
An offensive observe meet broke out to begin the second. Wembanyama impressed with buckets from all three ranges. A Branham and-1 in transition introduced the Spurs inside 4 briefly. The groups traded buckets liberally till the effectively dried up for San Antonio. Branham’s buzzer-beating three introduced the Spurs to inside 53-65.
San Antonio was victimized once more by its third quarter doldrums as Brown took over the Celtics’ manufacturing to assist push them forward by as a lot as 28. Wembanyama threw down a comical Nerf-like one-handed floating dunk over a clearly overmatched White. Dominick Barlow took benefit of enjoying time to be a pesky presence on the defensive finish. As soon as Brown sat, Tatum resumed the go-to man mantle and Boston left the third up 105-76.
The fourth quarter was principally the territory of the reserves. Kornet was the recipient of three good lobs. Payton Pritchard and Sam Houser virtually saved scoring tempo with the San Antonio bench by themselves. Devonte’ Graham discovered Barlow for a pleasant alley-oop. Barlow then rattled residence his first NBA three. Sidy Cissoko regarded ‘okayish’ in his recreation motion.
For the Celtics fan’s perspective, please go to Celtics Weblog.
The Spurs tackle Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night time at 7:00 PM CDT.
