Jaylen Brown took it personal in his first game since not being named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December. The four-time All-Star lead the Celtics past the Los Angeles Clippers, a 146-115 blowout over the Los Angeles Clippers in the finale of their five-game road trip Saturday night at the Intuit Dome.
Brown notched a season-best, while also matching his career-high of 50 points, as he went 18-of-26 from the field, including 6-of-10 from deep to go along with five assists and three rebounds. It was the 10th time over the past 12 outings that Brown scored 30 or more points.
"I felt good as soon as I walked into the arena." Brown said during his postgame interview of his performance. "I knew it before the game started. In warmups, I could just feel every shot; the ball was coming off my hands super clean. My footwork felt great."
Prior to the contest, reigning Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for December Joe Mazzulla agreed that Brown was definitely snubbed for the East Player of the Month award.
"I hope he takes it out on our opponents for the next month," said Mazzulla in his pregame presser. "He's always had something to prove. That's something that he carries with him."
Derrick White finished with 29 points, seven assists, while Anfernee Simons added 15 points and Jordan Walsh had a double-double of 13 points, 13 rebounds off the bench for the Celtics -- who are now 22-12 and tied for the second best record in the lost column when it comes to the Eastern Conference standings.
Kawhi Leonard was held in check by Brown, scoring only 22 points on 6-of-17 from the field, while John Collins also scored 22 points, James Harden recorded a double-double of 18 points, 10 assists and Derrick Jones Jr. chipped in 19 points off the bench for the Clippers -- who fell to 12-22 after getting their sox-game win streak snapped.
Brown had 19 points in the third quarter, as the Celtics took a 113-99 advantage into the final frame where he would finish off the home team. Following a 9-0 personal run by Brown and a 128-107 Boston lead, it was safe to say that he had put the game out of reach and 6:15 left to play.
With mainly just Celtics fans still left in attendance at the area, Brown was showered with chants of 'MVP' and also received a standing ovation once he reached 50 points at the 3:53 mark and moments later was subbed out to a roar of cheers.
"You're not even thinking about it at all," Brown said of his memorable night. "You're just playing, and it's just like something takes over you, almost, in a sense -- like you just flowing. It's a flow state."
The Celtics went 4-1 on their trip and will return to TD Garden for a much needed home-stand. They host the Chicago Bulls (17-18) Monday night.
Boston went 53-of-96 from the field, including 24-of-51 (47%) from 3-point range, while the Clippers were 42-of-84 from the floor and 15-of-38 (39%) from behind the arc. The Celtics, who only turned the ball over six times to L.A.'s 10, out-rebounded the home team 46-30 while each scored 50 points in the paint respectively.
Joel Pavón
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