Marcus Morris, Jayson Tatum push Celtics to rout of weary Pacers

BOSTON — There’s no secret to the Boston Celtics recent roll.

The Celtics continued to share the offensive load, and the results showed again in a 135-113 rout of the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night for their fourth straight win.


“It’s not too often that we’re going to put up 135 points, but I feel like consistently over the last few games, we’ve done a great job of making shots,” said Kyrie Irving, who had 12 points in 24 minutes before getting to rest the entire fourth quarter.

“We’re making shots. We’re continuing to make each other better and make those plays that we weren’t making at the beginning of the season.”

The Celtics had 32 assists — their fifth straight game with 30 or more — and put together their highest scoring game this season. Boston (25-15) also ended a three-game skid against the Pacers, who entered the night third in the Eastern Conference having won seven of eight.

“It just looked like we were gassed tonight,” Indiana coach Nate McMillan said. “We knew they could come out fast and they did. They came out very aggressive, attacking us and just we weren’t able to establish anything defensively against this group.”

Marcus Morris had 22 points and eight rebounds, Jaylen Brown also scored 22 points and Jayson Tatum had 20 for the Celtics, who have won five of six.

Gordon Hayward had 14 points, Daniel Theis added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench, and Terry Rozier had 12 points and five assists.

Domantas Sabonis had 20 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers (27-14), who had won seven of eight. Thaddeus Young had 10 points and eight rebounds, and Victor Oladipo scored 17 points.

The Pacers never led and fell to 5-2 in the second of back-to-back games this season. They wilted in the second half after beating Cleveland 123-115 the previous night.

“They just beat us in every category today,” Oladipo said. “Everything you can imagine, they beat us in.”

Boston led 68-53 at halftime after shooting 56.5 percent (26 for 46) in the first half.

Indiana used a 10-2 run early in the third and cut the margin to 79-67 on Sabonis’ hook shot with 5:31 left in the period, but Boston took off again and topped 100 points before the quarter was over.

Theis converted a three-point play to start the Celtics on a 12-3 run, and Boston closed out the period with another surge, getting back-to-back 3-pointers by Rozier for a 100-74 lead with 1:27 left.

KEEP SHARING

The Celtics’ string of 30-plus assist games is their longest since a six-game run in March and April of 1987.

“We’re all understanding that we’re trying to play faster and the ball movement has been working for us,” said Al Horford, who led Boston with eight assists. “It keeps the defense on their toes, really makes the other team work. It’s kind of contagious.”

OUT-PACED

Boston’s point total was also the most allowed by Indiana this season — eight more points than Charlotte scored on the Pacers on Nov. 27.

“The fourth game of a five-game road trip and you’re playing Boston on a back-to-back,” McMillan said. “In a situation like that, you knew they were going to try to be aggressive, run us out of the building right from the start. And we just never could keep up with them.”

TIP-INS  


Pacers: Tyreke Evans scored 15 points and Kyle O’Quinn had 11. … Bojan Bogdanovic was called for a technical foul with 8:43 left in the first quarter. … Young was called for another technical for saying something from the Pacers’ bench with two minutes left in the third quarter, and coach Nate McMillan got one with 16 seconds left in the period. … C Myles Turner was out with a sore right shoulder.

Celtics: Scored 68 in the first half, one point shy of their season-high for points in a half. … Topped their previous high of 133 points scored against Chicago on Dec. 6. … Tatum scored nine of Boston’s first 11 points and had 11 in the first quarter, going 5 for 6.

UP NEXT

Pacers: At New York on Friday night.

Celtics: Open up a three-game road trip Thursday night at Miami.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Kyrie Irving’s 26 points lead Boston past Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS— Anthony Davis had just trimmed New Orleans’ deficit to a seemingly surmountable seven points when Boston’s Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum combined to quickly squash any notion of a comeback.

Irving closed out a 26-point, 10-assist performance with a 3-pointer and a tough baseline fade over Davis, and the Celtics pulled away late for a 124-107 victory over the Pelicans on Monday night.


Tatum, who scored 20, threw down a right-handed dunk while being fouled by Davis with 2:26 left, at which point Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry began subbing out starters and fans started filing out, resigned to just New Orleans’ second loss in 10 home games this season.

“It’s closing time at that point,” Irving said. “We knew that we had the game in control just based upon our defensive schemes that we had out there.



“At winning time like that, I have the confidence in my teammates and confidence in my coaching staff to make the right plays and seek out the mismatches that we want,” Irving added.

Davis finished with 27 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks, Nikola Mirotic hit six 3s as part of his 25 points, and Julius Randle added 15 points from the bench, but that wasn’t enough to end what is now a four-game losing streak for New Orleans.

Al Horford scored 20 points, and Marcus Morris had 19 points and 11 rebounds for Boston, which punished the Pelicans for their 22 turnovers, converting them into 32 points.



“That’s how we’re used to playing. That’s the team we know,” Boston guard Marcus Smart said. “We had different guys diving on the floor and doing multiple things on the defensive end.”

Irving had five steals, while Tatum and Horford each had three.

“We knew most of their plays and contested and used our length to our advantage,” Irving said. “When we’re playing at that type of level, then we’re tough to beat, because offensively it’ll take care of itself. … It felt good tonight to win like that because that’s who we are.”

The Celtics put up 39 3s, hitting 19, a statistic that Gentry thought was as telling as his team’s turnovers.

“It started with turnovers, but we gave up too many uncontested 3s,” Gentry said. “This team is a great 3-point shooting team anyway, so their bigs can shoot them, their perimeter guys can shoot them, and every time we got it within a workable distance, it was either a turnover or they made a 3.”

TIP-INS

Celtics: Terry Rozier scored 14 points. He also was assessed a technical foul in the second quarter after he tossed the ball away during a stoppage. … Boston outscored New Orleans 42-34 in the paint. … The Celtics improved to 6-7 on the road.

Pelicans: Jrue Holiday scored 13 points but also finished with eight turnovers. … Forward Solomon Hill saw action for the first time since Nov. 1. He saw no playing time in 12 straight games before his 20 minutes against Boston. He had four rebounds, two points and an assist. … New Orleans was 27 of 29 on three throws, but went 12 of 32 from 3.

SETTING THE TONE

New Orleans trailed nearly the entire game, falling behind early because of eight first-quarter turnovers that led to 11 Celtics points. Holiday, playing point guard instead of shooting guard while Elfrid Payton sits out with a broken finger, turned ball over five times in the opening period.

The Celtics opened up their largest lead with an 11-0 run that began with three straight three-point possessions: Irving’s floater in the lane as he was fouled, Irving’s 3-pointer and Tatum’s driving layup while being fouled.


Rozier’s layup capped the burst and made it 80-60 midway through the third quarter.

Soon after, Randle’s free throws and Darius Miller’s 3 ignited an 11-2 Pelicans run to close the period, trimming Boston’s lead to 10 heading to the fourth.

Davis scored five straight points on a short fade as he was fouled and a pair of free throws to cut it to 93-87 with nearly nine minutes to play.

But Boston never let it get closer than that.

UP NEXT

Celtics host Cleveland on Friday night.

Pelicans host Washington on Wednesday night.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Healthy Celtics set to make noise in NBA Eastern Conference

The Boston Celtics — with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back from injury and youngsters Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum maturing all the time — are tipped for big things in an NBA Eastern Conference now devoid of LeBron James.

James and the Cavaliers denied the injury-hit Celtics in game seven of the Eastern Conference finals last season, but a full-strength Boston squad has caught the attention of many — including Klay Thompson of the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors.


“I like the team out East in Boston,” Thompson said in pre-season musings on who might pose the biggest threat to a Warriors title three-peat. “I think that they are going to be a team to reckon with.”

Celtics guard Irving thinks so, too.

“Can we beat Golden State in a seven-game series? Yes,” says Irving. “Because of who we have and what we’re establishing here, not just for this season but hopefully for the next few years — something that’s pretty special.”

Irving missed the last 15 games of the regular season and the playoffs, but the former Cavaliers star says now that he’s healthy, his prior experience against the Warriors could help put the Celtics over the top if they come up against the reigning champs.

He admits that “the whole league is on notice” when it comes to the Warriors’ aim of achieving a fourth title in five years.

“But there’s one factor that they’re aware of and I’m aware of and that’s that I’ve seen them up close. I know what it takes.”

As the season approached, Irving indicated he didn’t want his impending free agency in 2019 to detract from the Celtics’ more immediate goals.

“I believe Boston is the place for me,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge this year.”

Aiding that challenge will be Hayward, who missed 81 games after frightening ankle and leg injuries in last year’s season-opener.


“It’s scary to think about some of the opportunities we’re going to have going forward,” Irving said.

Hayward says last season’s adversity strengthened the Celtics, with Tatum, Brown and Terry Rozier rising to the occasion.

“There’s going to be situations where somebody is going to get hurt again, somebody’s going to be sick, somebody’s going to be having a bad game as it happens every year for every team,” he said. “To have so many guys that we can rely on, that can go get a bucket, that can go get a big-time stop — that’s huge for us as a team.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Cavs All-Star Love sustains head injury in Game 6

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love will miss the remainder of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals after banging heads with Boston’s Jayson Tatum.

Love and Tatum inadvertently collided midway through the opening quarter and both dropped to the floor. Love, who missed a March 28 game at Charlotte with a concussion, immediately raised his left arm as if to signal he needed help.

He stayed down for several minutes before he was pulled to his feet. Love walked unsteadily to the bench with guard George Hill holding one of his arms. Love sat briefly before heading to the locker room for further evaluation.


The Cavs said Love is being evaluated for a concussion and being kept out as a precaution.

Love was replaced by Jeff Green, who sparked the Cavs to a 54-43 halftime lead.

Tatum stayed in the game.

Love, who is in his fourth season with Cleveland and is the club’s second-best player, is averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds in the series.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Brown sets playoff career-best as Celtics roll to a 2-0 edge over Bucks

BOSTON — The Celtics knew they’d need their younger players to step up this postseason with Kyrie Irving sidelined for the postseason.

They have, and it’s added up to 2-0 lead in Boston’s first-round matchup with Milwaukee.

Jaylen Brown had a playoff career-high 30 points and the Celtics pulled away into second half to earn a 120-106 win over the Bucks on Tuesday night.

Terry Rozier added 23 points. Game 3 is Friday in Milwaukee.The Celtics led by as many as 20 in the fourth quarter as their ball movement overwhelmed the Bucks.

Brown, who is in his second year, said right now the Celtics are feeling “confident as ever.”

“People have been writing us off all year. And we just keep proving people wrong. So that’s what we’re gonna do,” he said.

Milwaukee got as close as 107-97 with 4:13 to play. But the Celtics responded with an 11-2 run, capped by a banked in 3-pointer by Brown to push their lead back up to 118-99.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Khris Middleton added 25 points.

“I think as a team we didn’t show up tonight,” Antetokounmpo said.

Turnovers were an issue for the second straight game for Milwaukee. The Bucks finished with 15, leading to 21 Boston points. They also shot just 41 percent from the free-throw line (7 of 17).

“They were just the more desperate team tonight again,” Middleton said. “We started off poorly again. … We’ve just got to more into it, got to be the more desperate, hungry team.”

Boston had just three turnovers through three quarters and only seven on the night. Rozier finished no turnovers for the second straight game

“I’ve just got that confidence,” Rozier said. “My teammates, my coach, they trust in me to get everybody in their spots to run the plays. … I’m gonna do what I can to protect the ball and get my guys open.”

The Celtics’ bench also came up big, outscoring their Milwaukee counterparts 41-25. Marcus Morris led Boston’s reserves with 18 points. Shane Larkin chipped in 11 points, scoring in double-digits for the first time in a playoff game.

He also had a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter that gave Boston a 15-point cushion entering the final period.

Brown said he is expecting to see a much different Bucks team as the series shifts to Milwaukee.

“We not taking anybody lightly,” he said. “I know they’re going to come out and make adjustments.”

TIP-INS

Bucks: Have been outscored 42-13 in second-chance points through two games. … Shot 62 percent in the first half (23 of 37).

Celtics: At age 21, Brown is the youngest player in Celtics history to score 30 or more points in a playoff game. … Boston went 13 of 31 from the 3-point line.

QUOTABLE

“I had a chip on my shoulder since I got drafted. I had a chip on my shoulder since forever. It’s all carry over. This year I got the opportunity to start in the playoffs. That chip on my should is gonna remain, no matter how deep we go.” — Rozier

FREAK’S STREAK

Tuesday marked the ninth straight game that Antetokounmpo has scored at least 20 points against the Celtics.

HEAVY HEART

Celtics guard Marcus Smart has a heavy heart as he continues to work his way back from right thumb surgery.

Smart revealed prior to Tuesday’s game that his mother, Camellia Smart, was recently diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. He was able to visit her briefly in Texas last week. But he said she wants him to be with the team because seeing him play would “put a smile on her face.”

“She told me she’d rather me be here than back there,” Smart said. “Doing what I love to do.”

HAYWARD UPDATE

Gordon Hayward has hit a new milestone in his left ankle rehab. He is currently at St. Vincent Sports Performance in Indianapolis, Indiana, working with a running mechanics specialist.

“We’re just trying to get him ready for Friday’s game. And we’re hopeful he can play,” Stevens joked before the game.

He then quickly made it clear it’s simply the “logical next step” in what remains a long rehab process.

“He’s not gonna join us in Milwaukee,” Stevens said. “He’s still a long, long, long way away.”

SPECIAL GUEST

Boston Marathon winner Desiree Linden was honored during a timeout in the first quarter. On Monday Linden became the first American woman to win the race since 1985.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Celtics missing 6 players for Wizards game

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics were without six players for their game against the Washington Wizards.

The team said Wednesday that Kyrie Irving will sit out with a sore left knee. Al Horford will miss his second straight game with an illness. Jaylen Brown remains in the concussion protocol. Marcus Smart sprained his right thumb and is listed as out. Daniel Theis tore a ligament in his left knee and is out for the rest of the season.

That’s on top of Gordon Hayward, who has been out since opening night with a broken ankle.

Jayson Tatum, who was listed as probable with tightness in his lower back, was able to play and started for the short-handed Celtics.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Kyrie Irving helps Celtics pull away to beat Grizzlies

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Kyrie Irving scored 20 points, Jayson Tatum had 19 points and nine rebounds and the Boston Celtics pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-93 on Saturday night.

Al Horford added 15 points for Boston. The Celtics shot 49 percent, including 14 of 30 (46.7 percent) from outside the arc.

Marc Gasol led Memphis with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Tyreke Evans added 25 points, and Dillon Brooks had with 14 points, hitting a season-best four 3-pointers.

After Memphis used a 21-point third quarter by Gasol to take a 73-71 lead after three, the Celtics opened the final frame with the first 16 points for an 87-73 lead. That put the game out of reach as Memphis lost its 17th in the last 19.

Gasol got untracked in the early part of the third, scoring 10 points before the midway point of the frame. That pulled Memphis even with the Celtics.

And then Gasol kept scoring, converting 8 of 10 shots and tallying 21 points in the frame.

That helped Memphis take a 73-71 lead heading to the fourth. But the Grizzlies couldn’t maintain the momentum missing its first seven shots as Boston rebuilt the lead to double digits.

The Celtics shot well early, hanging around 60 percent through the early stages of the second quarter. That, combined with missing only two of their first seven shots from outside the arc, helped the Boston margin swell to 21 points.

Memphis would make a bit of a dent in the lead, mainly behind its reserves. The Celtics still maintained a 48-40 lead at intermission.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Rookie F Daniel Theis, who broke his nose in Friday’s loss to Utah, was back in action against the Grizzlies, wearing a mask. … Tatum, who entered the game, leading the league in 3-point shooting at 50 percent (48-96), made both of his shots from outside the arc in the game.

Grizzlies: The Celtics outscored Memphis 31-12 in the first quarter, marking the 14th time in the last 18 games that the Grizzlies were outscored in a quarter by at least nine points. … Gasol’s 21 points in the third were one shy of a Memphis record for points in a quarter.

UP NEXT

Celtics: At Indiana on Monday night

Grizzlies: At Golden State on Wednesday night.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Masked man: Irving returns as Celtics win 13th straight

NEW YORK—Kyrie Irving really dislikes having to play in a mask.

On the other hand, he loves what comes next: Boston putting its 13-game winning streak on the line against the NBA champions.

“It’s definitely an incredible streak we’re on, and now comes the whole media frenzy of will the streak end, and what’s going to happen on Thursday and the Golden State Warriors coming to Boston,” Irving said. “So I’m looking forward to all that hoopla.”

Irving returned to the lineup and scored 25 points while wearing the mask, and the Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets 109-102 on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten since an 0-2 start.

Marcus Morris added 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jayson Tatum scored 19 points for the Celtics, who have the NBA’s best record. Golden State is next at 11-3, and Boston got good preparation for the game against a persistent Brooklyn team.

“The way that they converted on us in transition after our mistakes tonight, you can’t have that against Golden State. You just get blown out of the gym,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “We just have to play really solid on both ends and do what we do as well as we can and see where we stand.”

Irving missed one game with a minor facial fracture after he was hit by teammate Aron Baynes on Friday. He fiddled with the mask frequently, but it didn’t seem to affect his play much. He made a jumper with 3:40 left after the Nets had closed within four points and drove for another basket about 35 seconds later.

“Today, just finding his way and doing what he does, making big plays for us, coming through and sealing the game,” said Celtics center Al Horford, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Boston then finally put it away with Jaylen Brown’s alley-oop feed to Tatum before Irving hit two free throws to make it 106-96.

Joe Harris scored 19 points and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Nets, who are without leading scorer D’Angelo Russell because of a bruised left knee. Allen Crabbe and Caris LeVert added 15 points apiece.

Irving has had to play in a mask before, and he’s done it well. He scored a then career-high 41 points in a loss at New York on Dec. 15, 2012, while with Cleveland. But he described it like having foggy blinders, restricting his peripheral vision.

The Celtics started 7 of 9 from the field to lead 17-4, but the Nets jumped ahead in the second quarter and countered every time Boston threated to pull away until the final minutes.

“I thought guys competed,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We just have to do it in long stretches.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Irving gets hit in face, Celtics hold off Hornets

BOSTON — Another game, another injury, another win for the Boston Celtics.

Jayson Tatum had 16 points, Shane Larkin added 16 off the bench and the Celtics overcame an injury to Kyrie Irving and a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Charlotte Hornets 90-87 on Friday night.

Terry Rozier finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists, playing an increased role after Irving left the game in the first quarter after taking an elbow to the face. Jaylen Brown added 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The Celtics extended their win streak to 11 games. Charlotte has lost four straight.

“We just got a lot of fighters, a lot of resilient guys,” Larkin said of a team that’s now seen Gordon Hayward, Al Horford and now Irving beset by injuries.
He said his teammates’ misfortunes have underlined the necessity of staying ready.

“I’m always locked it. That’s my job. I don’t know when my opportunity’s gonna be there,” Larkin said. “Tonight I hit some shots early, coach kept rocking with me, so I tried to throw my best.”

Celtics center Aron Baynes’ elbow inadvertently struck Irving when Baynes was landing after a rebound attempt.

Irving fell to the floor and was bleeding from the nose as he was escorted back to the locker room. Irving was ruled out for the rest of the game while he was monitored for possible concussion symptoms.

Larkin said Irving spoke to the team at halftime and texted them all congratulations on the win.

Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 20 points and 11 assists.

Celtics trailed by 12 after three quarters, but opened the fourth on a 16-3 run and took the lead with 4:05 to play on a basket by Brown.

The lead grew to five before Walker’s three-point play got the Hornets back within 86-85. Marcus Morris connected on a jumper, but Walker responded with a driving layup to get it back to a point.
Boston called timeout, but Rozier accidently stepped out of bounds on the ensuing inbounds play. Walker dribbled the clock down, but his jumper bounced off the back of the rim and was rebounded by Rozier. He was fouled and sank two free throws with 3.6 seconds left.

Charlotte struggled throughout the final period, going 4 of 20 from the field and committing six turnovers.

“We’re giving up huge leads. We’re not maintaining our game,” Walker said. “We’ve got to be better as a whole.”

With Irving out, Charlotte took advantage against Boston’s reserves early, stretching its lead to as many as 18 in the second quarter and taking a 16-point lead into halftime.

BANGED UP

Irving’s injury is the latest stroke of bad luck for a Boston starter. Horford missed his second straight game with a concussion. And, of course, Hayward is out for the season after a gruesome leg injury on opening night.

SLOW START

The Celtics opened just 1 of 11 from the floor, and that first made field goal never made it through the hoop. Brown was credited with a basket when Howard was called for goaltending with 8:58 left in the first quarter, cutting Charlotte’s lead to 9-2.

Boston’s first field goal to actually fall through the basket came from Morris more than halfway through the quarter.

TIP-INS

Hornets: Charlotte’s 57 points in the first half were the second most the Celtics have allowed in the first half this season, one fewer than Milwaukee scored in the opening half of a 108-100 win on Oct. 18. … Nicolas Batum (sprained left elbow) and Treveon Graham (right quad contusion) both sat out.

Celtics: Shot just 33 percent (14 of 43) in the first half. … Coach Brad Stevens said Horford is “doing way better” but wouldn’t speculate about his availability.

UP NEXT

Hornets: Host Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Celtics: Host Raptors on Sunday.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Irving takes charge, Celtics beat Hawks for 9th straight win

ATLANTA — Kyrie Irving took charge in a fashion only he can.

Dribbling and weaving through the lane and around the perimeter, Irving scored from all over and kept his teammates involved all night.

“It’s a beautiful game when it’s played the right way,” the four-time All-Star said. “It’s not going to look good every possession, but you’ve got to be able to move onto the next play. I understand that better than most.”

Irving scored 35 points, Jayson Tatum added 21 and the Boston Celtics held off the Atlanta Hawks 110-107 Monday night for their ninth straight victory.

Irving’s 3 from the right wing put the Celtics up 104-103 — the game’s 25th lead change — with 1:37 remaining, and Boston led the rest of the way.

Dennis Schroder had 23 points for the rebuilding Hawks, who dropped to 2-9 a night after a surprising two-point win at Cleveland.

“It would’ve been sweet to win two in a row against those kinds of teams,” Schroder said. “But we ended up
short.”

Boston improved to 9-2, best in the NBA, and has its longest winning streak in seven years.

Al Horford had 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in his best game against the Hawks. Horford spent his first nine seasons in Atlanta before leaving as a free agent ahead of last season and had totals of 20 points and 17 rebounds in three games against his former team.

Irving had his first 30-point game as a Celtic on a night packed with highlights. He dribbled between his legs and behind his back before hitting a floater off the glass from the left baseline to put Boston up 46-44. He had two impressive assists late in the third with long, one-handed passes that led to 3s by Marcus Smart and Tatum, the latter giving Boston a 72-71 lead.

Irving either scored or assisted on every basket of a 16-2 run in the third that put the Celtics up by seven. He finished with seven assists.

“He’s just very unique,” Horford said. “He has a good sense of how teams are playing him.”

The Celtics started to pull away and took their biggest lead at 10 on Semi Ojeleye’s 3 early in the fourth, but the Hawks came back to take a few brief leads in the final period.

“To compete the way we did and give ourselves a chance to win, we got better tonight and we can learn from it,” Atlanta coach Mike Budenhozler said.

THAT’S A DRAG

Boston coach Brad Stevens wasn’t pleased with the ball movement or defense early in the third, storming the floor to call timeout after Atlanta’s Luke Babbit hit a 3 to put the Hawks up 57-54.

“You could just tell mentally and physically we were dragging a little bit,” Irving said. “That’s going to happen sometimes considering how hard we play, but we don’t want to make that a habit for us. No excuse.”

RAINING DOWN

Budenholzer joked before the game that he regretted having his assistants work with the 6-foot-10 Horford a couple of years ago to develop a strong presence beyond the perimeter. Horford, who went just 1 for 5 on 3s, entered the game shooting nearly 52 percent on 33 attempts from the arc.

“I think there was just a real push from us and a credit to him that he could do it,” Budenholzer said.
“It’s part of the way the game is, and his passing just opens up the court even more for him to drive and attack. He’s such a good player, such a smart player.”

TIP-INS

Celtics: Irving has scored more points — 245 — than any player in his first 11 games with Boston. … With Marcus Morris getting the night off to rest his sore left knee, Aron Baynes started at center and finished with just two points and three rebounds in 15 minutes.

Hawks: Malcolm Delaney returned after missing two games with a sprained right ankle and had 13 points. Marco Belinelli scored 19 despite a sore left Achilles.

UP NEXT

Celtics: Host the Lakers on Wednesday night.
Hawks: Off until they visit Detroit on Friday night.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Irving’s big 2nd half leads Celtics past Thunder 101-94

OKLAHOMA CITY — Kyrie Irving scored 22 of his 25 points in the second half and the Boston Celtics rallied from 18 down to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-94 on Friday night for their seventh straight victory.

Al Horford scored 17 of his 20 points after halftime and Jaylen Brown added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics. Boston has allowed 94 or fewer points in every game during its winning streak.

Paul George had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook added 19 points and 11 assists for the Thunder. Carmelo Anthony had 10 points and 14 rebounds but shot just 3 of 17.

In a play that seemingly summarized the first half, Irving drove hard to the hoop in the closing seconds of the second quarter and went for a layup before Andre Roberson emphatically swatted it to the ground as time expired with the Thunder leading 55-37. Irving was 1 of 9 from the field before the break.

Boston chipped away at Oklahoma City’s lead throughout the third quarter and cut it to a point. Irving had nine points in the period to help the Celtics shave their deficit to 71-67.

A 3-pointer by Semi Ojeleye with just under six minutes to play tied it at 79, and a 3-pointer by Horford put the Celtics ahead 82-79.

Irving made a 3 and was fouled by Westbrook. Irving missed the free throw, but came up with the rebound and made a layup to put the Celtics up 87-81 with 4:13 to play. Irving’s layup with 14.6 seconds remaining gave Boston a five-point lead.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Hayward vows to be ‘all right’ after broken left leg

 

Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward vowed he "will be all right" in a video message Wednesday after a gruesome left leg injury from which he is expected to make a full recovery.

Hayward appeared in a video message from his hospital bed before the Celtics' home opener against Milwaukee just a night after suffering the injury in a 102-99 loss at Cleveland.

"I'm going to be all right," Hayward said in a video shown on the arena scoreboard. "It's hurting me that I can't be there for the home opener.

"I want nothing more than to be with my teammates and walk out on that floor tonight. But I'll be supporting you guys from here and wishing you the best of luck."

Hayward was flown back to Boston and taken to New England Baptist Hospital, where doctors diagnosed Hayward with a dislocated left ankle and fractured left tibia.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Hayward is expected to fully recover but would not estimate a timetable for when he might return until after surgery, which ESPN reported would be conducted Wednesday night.

Stevens visited Hayward on Wednesday morning and spoke with him about the difficult recovery and rehabilitation period to come.

"He's feeling down," Stevens said. "Obviously there's a physical pain to it, but I think it's doubled by the emotional pain in that he put a lot of effort into trying to start his career out well in Boston."

Former Utah Jazz star Hayward, 27, signed a four-year deal worth $128 million with the Celtics in the off-season, expected to team with guard Kyrie Irving and big man Al Horford as an All-Star trio to make the Celtics title contenders.

But he lasted barely five minutes into the opener before making an awkward landing while attempting an alley-oop basket off a pass from Irving and his foot twisted at a horrific angle. Players from both teams were stunned as medical staff rushed onto the court to treat him.

"This is a setback," Stevens said. "But we're expecting a full recovery. We know there will be a lot of tough days ahead on that recovery, but at the same time, I think hopefully he'll improve day-to-day."

Stevens hopes playing well for Hayward can become a motivating factor for a young squad.

"They do want to play well for Gordon. I think the biggest thing is they really care about Gordon," Stevens said. "He has made a big impact on them.

"Certainly you miss that and that camaraderie, but one of the tasks that we have now is to pick up steam for him." — Agence France-Presse

Irving praises James, sought trade so he can take next step

Kyrie Irving admitted he has not spoken with LeBron James since being traded to the Boston Celtics but he praised his former teammate with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 25-year-old Irving called playing three seasons with James as "awesome" and told reporters at his introductory press conference in Boston on Friday that "I learned so much from that guy."

The blockbuster trade sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round pick and the Miami Heat's 2020 second-round pick in exchange for Irving, a four-time All-Star point guard.

Gordon Hayward also was introduced after the former Utah Jazz forward signed a four-year, $128 million free agent contract with the Celtics in July.

Irving had requested a trade in July.

"My intent, like I said, was for my best intentions," Irving said. "To look back at the amount of ground we covered in the last three-year span ... to really realize how special that was and how much stuff happened in that amount of time, I'd be sitting up here and telling you guys a lie if I didn't tell you I learned so much from that guy.

"I've had the unique opportunity to play with one of the greats and it was awesome. At times it was all over, just like it is in any other team, and when you look back and you're eternally grateful for the moments that you had and you shared, you're able to put peace with that journey and start anew."

Irving averaged a career-high 25.2 points and 5.8 assists last season. He has three years and $60 million remaining on his contract.

"It was my time to do what was best for me in terms of my intentions, and that's going after something bigger than myself, and obviously being in an environment that was conducive for my potential," Irving said. "I think that statement is just self-explanatory, because it's pretty direct in terms of what my intent is -- it's to be happy and be with a group of individuals that I can grow with. That's not a knock on anything that has transpired in my six years (in Cleveland), because it was an unbelievable experience.

"Me leaving there wasn't about basketball, it was more or less about creating that foundation of me in Cleveland, and then now taking this next step as a 25-year-old evolving man and being the best basketball player I can be." — Reuters

Celtics end 4-game skid, down 76ers

PHILADELPHIA — The Boston Celtics were relieved to end their losing streak. Now, they want to get on a roll heading into the playoffs.

Isaiah Thomas led six Celtics players in double figures with 26 points to help Boston snap a four-game skid with a 120-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.

Jared Sullinger added 17 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, which swept the four-game season series against the 76ers to make it eight consecutive wins against Philadelphia. The Celtics avoided matching their longest losing streak of the season with the victory. They improved to 40-30.

“We still had some lulls, but for the most part we got some confidence back and got close to Boston Celtics basketball,” Thomas said. “Back to the winning ways as quick as you can to gain confidence and gain momentum going into the playoffs. We have to lock in these last 12 games.”

Carl Landry scored 26 points for the 76ers, who have lost five in a row and 18 of the last 19 to fall to 9-61.

“Losing is hard – period,” center Nerlens Noel said.

The possibility of Philadelphia matching the 1972-73 76ers for the worst record over an 82-game schedule is growing. Eight of Philadelphia’s 12 remaining games are against clubs who began Sunday with winning records. Seven of the 12 contests are on the road.

Their best chance for a victory may be during a four-game homestand April 2-10 that includes games against New Orleans, the Knicks and Milwaukee – all of which had losing records entering Sunday. Of the remaining opponents, the 76ers have defeated only Portland. Philadelphia routed the Trail Blazers 114-89 on Jan. 16 at home, a defeat they will try to avenge Saturday night in Portland.

Philadelphia managed to hang around for much of the third quarter, twice cutting the Celtics’ lead to six points. The final time came with 2.4 seconds left in the period on T.J. McConnell’s short, baseline jumper that made it 85-79. But Thomas raced the ball up the court and drained a 3-pointer as time expired to give Boston an 88-79 advantage entering the fourth quarter.

The 76ers got as close as four points in the final period on Landry’s dunk with 9:20 left that made it 91-87, but they wouldn’t get any closer.

“Our guys came out ready, came out focused,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “We knew it was an important game to play well. You can’t always control the results, but you can control your input into it. Guys played with good purpose.”

NOEL’S NIGHT

Philadelphia wasn’t helped by Noel fouling out with 4:49 remaining. Noel finished with four points, eight rebounds and five assists and was 2 for 8 from the field and 0 for 4 from the free-throw line.

0-FOR-17

The 76ers’ chances of beating the Celtics took a hit in the first quarter when they missed 17 straight shots on their way to a 28-16 first-quarter deficit.

“That’s hard to do,” Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said.

Philadelphia shot 19.2 percent (5-for-26) from the field in the period.

HEALTHY EATERS

The Celtics’ postgame spread for the players and staff featured a full table of fruits and vegetables, much more than normally seen for visiting teams in Philadelphia.

BALANCED SCORING

All five Celtics starters reached double-figures. Besides Thomas and Sullinger, Avery Bradley scored 20, Amir Johnson had 18 and Evan Turner netted 17. Marcus Smart came off the bench for 15 points.

TIP-INS

Celtics: A large contingent of Celtics fans was scattered throughout the Wells Fargo Center crowd of 15,103. … Boston also defeated the 76ers 112-92 on Jan. 24 in Philadelphia and twice in Boston, 84-80 on Nov. 26 and 112-95 on Oct. 28.

76ers: C Jahlil Okafor will have season-ending knee surgery on Monday. The rookie has missed the last 11 games. … C Joel Embiid returned to Qatar for treatment on his ankle. … Forwards Robert Covington (concussion) and Richaun Holmes (Achilles) each missed their fourth consecutive game. … Philadelphia opens a four-game road trip Monday night in Indiana. . Brown was issued a technical foul with 7:09 left in the second quarter.

UP NEXT

Celtics: Host Orlando Monday night.

76ers: At Indiana Monday night.

source: sports.inquirer.net