The NBA might be a little more nervous on a team-by-team basis after seeing the Boston Celtics extend their winning streak to a league-best eight games with the Celtics’ bench chipping in a total of 44 points on top of a well-balanced effort from top to bottom with seven players scoring in double figures.
That alone coupled with the blistering offense Boston is deploying should be enough to make opposing ball clubs uncomfortable, but the Celtics did it without 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, veteran floor general Malcolm Brogdon, and starting center Robert Williams III, all out for Wednesday’s tilt.
When one considers that the team is trending towards health on top of all that, the early going of this season hints that the Celtics are even more formidable than Boston was at the end of last season; let’s see what NBA and Celtics Twitter had to say about the team’s statement win.
First quarter
They brought JD Davison down to Atlanta, maybe we’ll get to see the 🦁
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) November 17, 2022
This Atlanta PA guy is annoying “say it with me defense”… pathetic
— Brian Barrett (@itsbrianbarrett) November 17, 2022
#Celtics trainer working to close up a cut on Al Horford's right palm. He told Coach Mazzulla he was fine.
— Abby Chin (@tvabby) November 17, 2022
Back-to-back missed dunks. You don't see that too often in the NBA.
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@ASherrodblakely) November 17, 2022
Griffin and Kornet on the floor at the same time. Let's see how this works out. #Celtics #Hawks
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) November 17, 2022
have we mentioned how pretty Hauser's shot is? because it is
— CelticsBlog (@celticsblog) November 17, 2022
Justin Jackson sighting!
— Abby Chin (@tvabby) November 17, 2022
Second quarter
Jayson Tatum's 6 assists in the first quarter were the most he's ever had in a single frame.
He's already halfway to his career-high of 12 with three quarters left to play. pic.twitter.com/CKXqGQr3Sm
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) November 17, 2022
JT already on triple-double watch
— Ryan Bernardoni (@dangercart) November 17, 2022
Brad Stevens really tried to tell everyone that Kornet's the one and people kind of rolled their eyes lol
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) November 17, 2022
The Grant side-step three is becoming near automatic
— Lance Legere (@lancelegere) November 17, 2022
Charge
— Richard White (@RamblinWreck34) November 17, 2022
Pritchard with great minutes again
— Evan Valenti (@EvanValenti) November 17, 2022
Third quarter
Jaylen Brown to the bench with 10:38 to go in the 3rd after a quick whistle for his 4th foul. Sam Hauser gets the call. #Celtics
— Abby Chin (@tvabby) November 17, 2022
Hauser, wowzer.
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) November 17, 2022
For years, the Celtics didn't have adequate floor spacing around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
They've found it this year.
Grant Williams, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard have combined to shoot 11-of-14 from three so far tonight.
— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) November 17, 2022
BIG BOY GRANT SAYS GET OUT THE WAY
— Dr. Justin Quinn (@justinquinnn) November 17, 2022
Denim Dan(ilo) pic.twitter.com/CtJ707TexJ
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) November 17, 2022
Murray is just too small for Tatum… that ain’t gonna work
— Brian Barrett (@itsbrianbarrett) November 17, 2022
Jaylen Brown is in foul trouble and Jayson Tatum needed a break, but this lineup is pretty rough for the Celtics right now
Kornet
Grant
Hauser
White
PritchardThese are some "Just keep it level" minutes here
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 17, 2022
Fourth quarter
This team, man. Tatum still ice cold, JB sits entire quarter in foul trouble. Missing 3 of top 7 players. Freaking Wagon.
— John Zannis (@John_Zannis) November 17, 2022
#Celtics on a 42-24 run since early 3Q. Answered every #Hawks run on a night when Tatum and Brown are a combined 11 for 31 FG.
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) November 17, 2022
Thus far, Brad Stevens has been right on the money with Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet, but it's a long season.
— Matt John (@MattJohnNBA) November 17, 2022
How are you supposed to feel if you’re the Hawks? This is a beat down
— Evan Valenti (@EvanValenti) November 17, 2022
Time to rest 'em, Joe. #Celtics
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) November 17, 2022
The only real drama left:
Will JD Davison get his first NBA points?
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 17, 2022
Honey you got to slow down pic.twitter.com/fNYcJMfEMe
— Little Red Kornet (@LmtdBreadsticks) November 12, 2022
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