This was a frustrating one. The Celtics - as a team and as individuals - just had long stretches of time where they were just off. The officials also took some key plays off.
Jayson Tatum shot 4 for 8 from the line. From the line. Also 1 of 8 from three. He had some great drives and scored 23 points anyway, but if he has a decent shooting night this is a different game.
Jaylen Brown came into the 4th quater with just 3 points. He got fouled, hit his free throws, and then went on to score 10 in the quarter. Important needed offense when he provided it, but he was MIA for 3 quarters. Shot 5-16 overall.
Marcus Smart was off for much of the game, locked in during a key run late in the third. Shot 1 of 7, 1 of 5 from 3 including a couple of ill-advised ones.
While they were mostly playing poorly in the first half (which ended with them down 10), Dennis Schroder kept them in it with a 17 point half. He also hit a big three pointer late in the 4th. But until that 3 he scored only 2 points in the second half, finishing with just 22, also 6 assists. When Tatum was resting early in 4th, Ime had Schroder out there, and he basically did nothing. Pounded the ball a lot, didn't create much offwnse for himself or his teammates.
Parker came off the bench and gave instand first half offense.
Rob and Horford both had double doubles, all adding 4 assists, Rob adding 4 blocks. AL was on a minutes restriction but he was a beast out there. I'm convinced that Al is so happy to be back in Boston with Jayson, Jaylen, Marcus, and Rob, along with his Atlanta teammate Schoder and his Philly assistant Udoka, that he is just full of energy. His 2/3 of a season off last year probably helped.
Grant was a non-presence in the first half, but he contributed a key 6 points late in the 3rd quater, all on free throws.
Last in the game with the Celtics trying to come back and having the lead down to three, the Celtics got absolutely screwed by the officials on back to back Washinging possessions. First, Horford had a phenomenal clean block of Harrell but was whistled for the foul. Next Washington possession, the ball deflects out of bounds and Horford and Brown both chase to save it. Brown, hanging in the air, saves it cleanly. Horford, behind Brown, lands out of bounds right before Brown taps it back into play. Ref must have seen Horford's foot down or thought they were touching each other.
Jabari gave them instead first half offense - 7 points in 9 minutes.
Richardson was invisible. Nesmith and Pritchard were DNPs.
Washington lost Gafford early to an injury. In the second half, Ime went small (either one big or just Grant) when Harrell was out and that keyed the comeback in the third.
Jayson picked up a T bitching at the refs. If he keeps doing this (or anyone else), he's essentially thumbing his nose at the coach.
Jayson Tatum shot 4 for 8 from the line. From the line. Also 1 of 8 from three. He had some great drives and scored 23 points anyway, but if he has a decent shooting night this is a different game.
Jaylen Brown came into the 4th quater with just 3 points. He got fouled, hit his free throws, and then went on to score 10 in the quarter. Important needed offense when he provided it, but he was MIA for 3 quarters. Shot 5-16 overall.
Marcus Smart was off for much of the game, locked in during a key run late in the third. Shot 1 of 7, 1 of 5 from 3 including a couple of ill-advised ones.
While they were mostly playing poorly in the first half (which ended with them down 10), Dennis Schroder kept them in it with a 17 point half. He also hit a big three pointer late in the 4th. But until that 3 he scored only 2 points in the second half, finishing with just 22, also 6 assists. When Tatum was resting early in 4th, Ime had Schroder out there, and he basically did nothing. Pounded the ball a lot, didn't create much offwnse for himself or his teammates.
Parker came off the bench and gave instand first half offense.
Rob and Horford both had double doubles, all adding 4 assists, Rob adding 4 blocks. AL was on a minutes restriction but he was a beast out there. I'm convinced that Al is so happy to be back in Boston with Jayson, Jaylen, Marcus, and Rob, along with his Atlanta teammate Schoder and his Philly assistant Udoka, that he is just full of energy. His 2/3 of a season off last year probably helped.
Grant was a non-presence in the first half, but he contributed a key 6 points late in the 3rd quater, all on free throws.
Last in the game with the Celtics trying to come back and having the lead down to three, the Celtics got absolutely screwed by the officials on back to back Washinging possessions. First, Horford had a phenomenal clean block of Harrell but was whistled for the foul. Next Washington possession, the ball deflects out of bounds and Horford and Brown both chase to save it. Brown, hanging in the air, saves it cleanly. Horford, behind Brown, lands out of bounds right before Brown taps it back into play. Ref must have seen Horford's foot down or thought they were touching each other.
Jabari gave them instead first half offense - 7 points in 9 minutes.
Richardson was invisible. Nesmith and Pritchard were DNPs.
Washington lost Gafford early to an injury. In the second half, Ime went small (either one big or just Grant) when Harrell was out and that keyed the comeback in the third.
Jayson picked up a T bitching at the refs. If he keeps doing this (or anyone else), he's essentially thumbing his nose at the coach.