The Boston Celtics grabbed an emphatic win at home Friday night, defeating the visiting Indiana Pacers 120-95. The Celtics move to 51-23 on the year, matching last season’s win total. With just eight regular season games remaining, every victory counts, as the top seed in the East is still firmly within reach for Boston.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics. Tatum finished the game with 34 points to go with 7 rebounds on the night, while Brown had 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, including 15 points in the third quarter alone. As a whole, though, Boston grabbed the win on the defensive side of the action.
This win comes on the heels of a six-game road trip that saw the Celtics go 4-2 away from the Garden. Tonight also marked just the second game back from injury for Robert Williams III, an important part of the puzzle for Boston. Here’s what you may have missed from Friday’s tilt between the Celtics and the Pacers:
Celtics Lab 177: On Boston’s looming seeding battle with the Bucks and Jaylen Brown’s future with Dalton Sell https://t.co/D1GZSh7ky1
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 23, 2023
Brown and Tatum had it going on
Jayson Tatum was dialed in against the Pacers. He was scoring up and down the floor, opening up tremendous looks for the rest of the guys in green. Tatum’s 3-point shooting continues to be a little underwhelming. The former Duke Blue Devil shot a meager 3-for-9 from distance. For anyone in the mood to nitpick, there ya go.
Brown, meanwhile, looked equally comfortable scoring the ball. He simply took over during the third quarter, including a strong showing on the defensive end.
When Boston’s two All-Stars shared the floor, things really looked electric for the Celtics. This is especially true because each member of the home team was sharing the ball and making unselfish plays. More on that later.
Malcolm Brogdon: ‘I think we have a really good shot’ to win Banner 18 https://t.co/hqYGW2dsKM
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 24, 2023
Robert Williams III is BACK
Tatum and Brown may be the headliners for the Celtics, but big man Robert Williams is certainly the x-factor. Boston made full use of the springy big man against the under-sized Pacers. Just a quick peek at the box score highlights Williams’ unique impact on the game.
Williams ended the night with 4 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. On offense he provided a vertical threat, while his presence makes everyone’s job easier on defense.
Williams only played 16 minutes. Expect that trend to continue for some time, perhaps even in the early stages of the playoffs. Still, welcoming back such an athletic presence at the rim has been a very big deal as the postseason rapidly approaches.
Jaylen Brown’s Boston Celtics teammates react to his interviews https://t.co/PKMldyiFbe
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 24, 2023
This is the formula for Boston
Friday night was an exposé into how the Celtics can and should play if they intend to win deep in the playoffs. Boston’s defensive effort was particularly stellar.
On offense, the ball was humming. Boston finished with 28 assists on 44 made baskets with an acceptable 14 turnovers. That sort of offense maximizes this club’s depth and its affinity for 3-point shooting.
Indeed the battle was won on defense, however. The Celtics switched when needed and otherwise closed out plays with strong individual efforts. As a team, Boston had 6 blocks, holding Indiana to just 15.4% shooting from the field deep.
The Pacers are a tough opponent, and Boston has a loss and a gritty overtime win against Indiana to prove it. This was a nice win for the Celtics and perhaps a positive look at things to come.
When it comes to all-time great players, the Boston Celtics have had no shortage of them over their seven-plus decades of storied history. https://t.co/8LbmeSbyii
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 24, 2023
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