Celtics maintain on for 116-110 win over Clippers, lengthen successful streak to 4 video games

Within the “battle of one of the best wing duos,” the Celtics emerged victorious with a six-point win in a sport that was aggressive from begin to end. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown every scored 29, Marcus Sensible completed with 17 factors and 9 assists, however Derrick White was the unsung hero, ending with 15 factors on 6/8 taking pictures and getting a clutch block within the closing minute to seal the 116-110 victory.

The Clippers gained by 20 when these groups met two weeks in the past in Los Angeles. With Kawhi Leonard’s accidents, they hadn’t lived as much as their preseason championship expectations and began the season 14-13. However coming into tonight’s sport they’d gained seven of their final 9, posting a report of 11-3 with Kawhi within the lineup. This was simply the fourth time all season that they had a completely wholesome lineup. Boston was with out head coach Joe Mazzulla for the second straight sport and Malcolm Brogdon was out with a non-covid associated sickness.

The Celtics opened the sport taking pictures 1/7 however Sensible sparked the turnaround. I might clip any variety of performs, however essentially the most spectacular was this block on 7-footer Ivica Zubac that led to a Derrick White transition end:

The Celtics jumped out to a 24-15 lead after scoring 14 first-quarter factors within the paint, however the Clippers clawed again (pun meant) with Kawhi and John Wall hitting back-to-back threes. Norman Powell nailed a contested fadeaway three on the buzzer, and the Celtics led 27-26 after one quarter.

The groups traded baskets to open the second, however they later confirmed why they’re every top-10 in defensive effectivity, as no person might purchase a bucket for a five-minute stretch. Jaylen discovered a seam and threw down a fastbreak dunk then hit a double-clutch elbow jumper to present Boston a 50-37 lead with 3:14 remaining. Tatum, Brown, Leonard, and George every took turns attending to the rim, then a Robert Williams buzzer-beating layup made the rating 60-49 at halftime.

The Celtics solely shot 5/20 from three however hit a scorching 19/29 of their two-point makes an attempt. Tatum scored 20, Brown added 15, Sensible had 7 factors and 6 assists, whereas Timelord had 6 factors and 4 offensive rebounds. Kawhi and Powell led the Clippers with 15 and 12 respectively.

Los Angeles opened the second half on an 11-3 run, then a Marcus Morris three minimize Boston’s result in 67-65 on the 8:14 mark. A couple of minutes later, George drilled a 3 to present the Clippers a lead, however Sensible responded with a deep ball of his personal. With 4:50 left within the quarter, Grant Williams sacrificed his physique and snatched a free ball, then Sam Hauser completed the play by splashing an open transition three:

Within the closing minute of the quarter, Timelord made an athletic steal on a cross court docket go, and the Celtics might have taken a lead with a fastbreak bucket, however as a substitute he turned it over making an attempt to deal with the ball, and the Clippers led 85-84 on the finish of three. It was shaping as much as be a legendary fourth quarter.

With Tatum and Kawhi sitting to open the ultimate interval, Brown and George took turns initiating offense, and the sport stayed inside one possession. On the 8:38 mark, White drove in for a floater — a shot he’s mastered — to present Boston a 98-92 lead.

Tatum and Kawhi checked in at 7:01, then a number of possessions later, Jaylen obtained known as for a cost, prompting Damon Stoudamire to wave the problem finger. The refs took a very long time to evaluate the play, however caught with the decision on the ground, as Jaylen picked up his fifth foul with 5:32 remaining and the Celtics main by 5.

With Ty Lue opting to double Tatum each time he touched the ball, it opened up driving lanes for White, who first hit a 10-foot floater over Kawhi, then drove-and-dished to an open Grant for a 3 pointer that gave Boston a 110-102 lead. They took a 10-point lead with 3:36 remaining on a Sensible steal and transition dunk, however the Clippers proceeded to go on an 8-1 run, profiting from some sloppiness and complacency on Boston’s half.

George discovered an open driving lane that might have minimize the result in one, however Derrick White had an excellent weakside block. Then Horford had a equally spectacular block on Morris, and the Celtics held on for a 116-110 win.

That is the final time these groups are scheduled to play, however possibly, simply possibly, they’ll be enjoying later this spring. The Celtics open 2023 by touring to Denver to tackle Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets this Sunday at 8:00 pm EST.