tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83332402993025394212024-03-19T04:37:18.578-04:00Causeway StreetYour place for up-to-date Celtics news, rumors and opinionsJosue Pavonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749989937780116892noreply@blogger.comBlogger4058125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-80905421188206038332024-03-18T16:56:00.001-04:002024-03-18T16:57:17.185-04:00Jrue Holiday, Al Horford & Sam Hauser out against Pistons<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qomK3jRbs42-dtwmf9FxjouAIG3eOoi_fPcuqSq8bTAALG60vJZaVXfY9KpdgPpj9Lp0yAcFPPzpx_bJP6mvNiJ7emYgFGORjDXxlDF9luu2SQ-TLYs2e_Q_OHo0iR7ldbO-wvPQNHwVhyphenhyphenaQJoPEhyphenhyphenVLNUZYvca3lQ06cpwfTXQC8s9NNiPFD-_bY50/s1280/IMG_7535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qomK3jRbs42-dtwmf9FxjouAIG3eOoi_fPcuqSq8bTAALG60vJZaVXfY9KpdgPpj9Lp0yAcFPPzpx_bJP6mvNiJ7emYgFGORjDXxlDF9luu2SQ-TLYs2e_Q_OHo0iR7ldbO-wvPQNHwVhyphenhyphenaQJoPEhyphenhyphenVLNUZYvca3lQ06cpwfTXQC8s9NNiPFD-_bY50/w400-h225/IMG_7535.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics will be without Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Sam Hauser when they host the Detroit Pistons tonight, per the team's injury report.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a>Jaylen Brown, who sat out in Sunday night's <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-130-wizards-104-sam-hauser.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">130-104 win</span></b></a> over the Washington Wizards with an ankle sprain was listed as questionable along with Jayson Tatum (ankle impingement) after a 30-point performance in the nation's capital.</div></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEBHInjuryReport?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEBHInjuryReport</a> for tonight vs. DET (1/2):<br /><br />Jaylen Brown (right ankle sprain) - QUESTIONABLE<br />JD Davison (illness, non-Covid) - OUT<br />Sam Hauser (left ankle sprain) - OUT<br />Jrue Holiday (right shoulder contusion) - OUT<br />Al Horford (left big toe sprain) - OUT</p>— Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1769766526968586599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />Hauser was at least one made 3-pointer away from tying a franchise record of 11 set by Marcus Smart before leaving midway in the third quarter against the Wizards with a rolled left ankle and did not return. The sharpshooter did finish with 30 points on 10-of-13 from behind the arc, but was also four shy of the NBA all-time record of made 3s set by Klay Thompson.<div><br /></div><div>Horford is set to take his usual rest one night of a back-to-back off, as he's been filling for Kristaps Porzingis -- missed the last five straight with a hamstring injury. The veteran big man from the Dominican Republic has averaged 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, on 42.1% from deep over his last 10 outings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, speaking of Porzingis, it appears he may finally get to suit up against the Pistons. Holiday is sidelined with a right shoulder contusion, as Derrick White (hand sprain) returns from a one-game absence to most likely be paired in the backcourt with Payton Pritchard -- coming off his first double-double of the season with 14 points, 13 assists off the bench in D.C.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Horford out, Luke Kornet (14 points, six rebounds and two blocks against the Wizards) and Xavier Tillman will also get some more extended run in the frontcourt.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Celtics (53-14) look to improve to 31-3 at home, as tip-off against Detroit is at 7:30 pm ET.</div><div><br /></div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-23460858006509100892024-03-18T15:30:00.000-04:002024-03-18T16:20:15.760-04:00Celtics 130, Wizards 104: Sam Hauser drops a career-high 30 to cruise past Washington<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcvZXXeFCOZ_fPkynmXBgl_Uccn6X72HlrvoBrWxgygH4auDDgce4LzyGMl418JAj03TueXGCj9xDBTa9BwpcQDpjQWvdvsGKRJLDwgVnGWFGIdUYc_KXRCSwFXyIqqQudlSJOpj7QOXKgy6oeDxuFQoi-SoSdFsQUsjTq4v7I-UVrjzUhcU-atQemss/s2046/IMG_7534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2046" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcvZXXeFCOZ_fPkynmXBgl_Uccn6X72HlrvoBrWxgygH4auDDgce4LzyGMl418JAj03TueXGCj9xDBTa9BwpcQDpjQWvdvsGKRJLDwgVnGWFGIdUYc_KXRCSwFXyIqqQudlSJOpj7QOXKgy6oeDxuFQoi-SoSdFsQUsjTq4v7I-UVrjzUhcU-atQemss/w400-h225/IMG_7534.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics down three starters beat the Washington Wizards 130-104 at Capital One Arena Sunday night.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>Sam Hauser went for a career-high 30 points on 10-of-13 from 3-point range to go along with six rebounds in a starting role for Jaylen Brown (ankle sprain), before an ankle injury midway through the third quarter sidelined him for the rest of the game.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>"I loved his confidence, I loved his aggressiveness," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Hauser. "I loved how guys looked for him. He got his shots within the flow of our execution. And that's the weapon that he is."</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Jayson Tatum also recorded 30 points on 8-of-17 from the field, including 6-of-12 from deep and six assists, while Payton Pritchard notched his first double-double of the season with 14 points, 13 assists off the bench. Al Horford started in place of Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) -- who missed his fifth straight -- to net 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting.</div><blockquote>"That's why we have that stay-ready group, frankly, for days like this," Tatum during his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqSK3NT5OAE" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame comments</span></b></a>. "We can just plug in certain guys in certain positions and moments. And the expectation is that we don't skip a beat."</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Luke Kornet also chipped in 14 points in extended minutes, as Derrick White (hand sprain) was the third player for Boston to sit out on the first night of a back-to-back.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 31 points and former Celtic Justin Champagnie added 14 points and eight rebounds. Washington dropped to a league-worst 11-57, as they were playing without Kyle Kuzma (shoulder).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics jumped out to a 45-27 lead after one (season-high for points in the first period) on 18 points by Tatum alone, which turned into a 81-53 advantage at the break on 17-of-28 from behind the arc -- seven of them came from Hauser on only nine attempts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston shot 56.8% from the floor in the first half, before going on a 11-3 spurt to start the third quarter, that included three more 3-pointers by Hauser to put the C's ahead by 36 (their largest margin) with 9:13 left to play in the frame.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hauser hit one more three prior to his exit and finished with 10, one-shy of the franchise record of 11 by Marcus Smart and four short of the all-time NBA record of 14 set by Klay Thompson.</div><blockquote>"I know Klay did it and it was pretty impressive," Al Horford said in his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faYSrttqSko" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame presser</span></b></a>. "Us shooters, we know those records. ... We're very aware of it and were pulling for Sam."</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics (53-14) never trailed in this one and they'll return home to host the Detroit Pistons (12-55) Tuesday at TD Garden. </div></div>
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Game Notes:
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<br />Boston was 49.4% from the field, including 24-of-50 (48%) from long distance, while the Wizards were 46.1% from the floor and 10-of-34 from 3-point range. The C's out-rebounded the home team 43-40 but were outscored in the paint 54-36. The Celtics had 30 assists (15 turnovers) on 43 baskets to the Wizards' 24 dimes (16 turnovers) on 41 made shots.<div><br /></div><div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-31434811183706448962024-03-17T09:43:00.139-04:002024-03-19T04:23:21.872-04:00Isaiah Thomas reportedly to sign 10-day contract with Suns<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk5xWqaa6dlviyWmo9LZ9eqrKm849ElvZ7zcr19Z_0JVaHdEGjmy55gXhsQTgzWfTpfRLDEQ1b5vnhz-kMbwkCwx5gtHW3e_loyZBPfkDzOIlNYZA8PzrnTrytPETSr8s1khSMwIWIP-HGv2R01IgTQ7CIP3TE2ef3HdN0GN7CoU7eTk6VVhtj9UhgYo/s4425/IMG_7540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2489" data-original-width="4425" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk5xWqaa6dlviyWmo9LZ9eqrKm849ElvZ7zcr19Z_0JVaHdEGjmy55gXhsQTgzWfTpfRLDEQ1b5vnhz-kMbwkCwx5gtHW3e_loyZBPfkDzOIlNYZA8PzrnTrytPETSr8s1khSMwIWIP-HGv2R01IgTQ7CIP3TE2ef3HdN0GN7CoU7eTk6VVhtj9UhgYo/w400-h225/IMG_7540.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Isaiah Thomas is back in the NBA, as he's set to sign a 10-day contract with the <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-127-suns-112-jaylen-browns-37.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Phoenix Suns</span></b></a> -- per Shams Charania of <b><i>The Athletic</i></b>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>The veteran point guard makes his return to Phoenix, where he played during the 2014-15 campaign before being dealt to Boston at the <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2015/02/celtics-deadline-surprise-isiah-thomas.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">trade deadline</span></b></a> for </span>Marcus Thornton and a 2016 first-round pick.</div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">IT is back: 11-year vet and two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a>. Thomas averaged 33 points on 45 percent 3-point shooting for Salt Lake City in the NBA G League, scoring 30 in four games. <a href="https://t.co/4XrKEINKut">pic.twitter.com/4XrKEINKut</a></p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1769147257755254810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />Thomas would go on to win the hearts of Celtics' fans for the next two and a half years, becoming a two-time All-Star and finishing fifth in voting for <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2017/06/isaiah-thomas-finishes-5th-in-mvp-voting.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">league MVP</span></b></a> in the 2016-17 season, where he averaged 28.9 points on 46.3% shooting, and 5.9 assist per contest while winning <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2017/05/isaiah-thomas-earns-all-nba-second-team.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">All-NBA honors</span></b></a>.<div><br /></div><div>Following that historic year, which ended in injury, Thomas was moved yet again -- ending his brief but successful time in Boston -- to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving, marking the first time ever that the first overall pick was traded for the last pick from the same draft class (2011).</div><div><br /></div><div>Since then, the ll-year vet has bounced around the NBA mixed with stints in the G League, which was his latest attempt at a comeback via the Salt Lake City Stars (thanks to old friend Danny Ainge). Thomas, who last played for the Charlotte Hornets back in 2022, has an opportunity to possibly stick with a Suns roster that will look to make a deep postseason run.</div><div><br /></div><div>The man known as "The King of the Fourth" during his time in Boston, is now 35-years old and was putting up 33 points on 45% 3-point shooting in four games with the Stars in the G League. Thomas' "slow grind" approach to never giving up on his dreams has paid off for now.</div><div><br /></div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of USA Today </i></b></span></div><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-69038492498271848922024-03-15T11:55:00.004-04:002024-03-15T12:00:09.835-04:00Celtics 127, Suns 112: Jaylen Brown's 37 points, 3-point shooting lead C's past Phoenix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXblviOnnAqir1F4ePlloNu18uxAN8TWu2Sr9SdbOIsr4gpkL_jQ0877C_rmQXGLb0eDT91PZST9EKvpqr3Db4yhJM8wkzbqJCert85tAVsVeIqlTDlP6W7C0S7KtJwneiB9LHRqHCjUqU8L_Uw18FwyXi24pHTlIZ6ag2j23OkYqeeF1H335Pqqbz7hI/s1492/IMG_7488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1492" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXblviOnnAqir1F4ePlloNu18uxAN8TWu2Sr9SdbOIsr4gpkL_jQ0877C_rmQXGLb0eDT91PZST9EKvpqr3Db4yhJM8wkzbqJCert85tAVsVeIqlTDlP6W7C0S7KtJwneiB9LHRqHCjUqU8L_Uw18FwyXi24pHTlIZ6ag2j23OkYqeeF1H335Pqqbz7hI/w400-h225/IMG_7488.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Despite being short handed, Boston's 25 made three-pointers fueled the Celtics' 127-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns Thursday night at TD Garden to stretch their win streak to four.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span>Starting in place of the injured Kristaps Porzingis (<a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/jaylen-brown-kristaps-porzingis-al.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">hamstring strain</span></b></a>), Al Horford's six three-pointers contributed to a dominant effort on both ends against one of the league's top trios. Coming off a back injury and missing the <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-123-jazz-107-jayson-tatum-leads.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">team's win over the Jazz</span></b></a> on Tuesday, Brown showed no rust in his 37-point effort on 14-of-23 from the field and 5-of-9 from deep. </div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"I don't know how we did it. He torched us" said Horford during his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBwmTW0tGRg" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame comments</span></b></a>, giving props to the C's defense on Kevin Durant after <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-117-suns-107-jayson-tatum.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">dropping 45 against them</span></b></a> last Saturday. Credit to JT, JB, Jrue, the guys that were guarding him made it tough on him."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/causeway-street-podcast-is-jayson-tatum.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jayson Tatum</span></b></a> added 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-8 from 3-point territory with Horford tallying a season-high 24 points on 6-of-10 from behind the arc. Holiday (nine points) led the team with 10 assists to help Boston become the first team in the league to clinch a playoff berth this season.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Devin Booker led Phoenix with 23 points on 20 shot attempts and seven assists. Bradley Beal finished with 22 points, seven assists, while Kevin Durant scored 20 on 9-of-19 from the floor and Grayson Allen also recorded 20 points for the Suns -- who dropped to 38-28 out west.</div><div><br /></div><div>As expected, there was plenty of scoring from both teams early on, as neither were able to create much separation. With another strong start by Durant (15 points), the Suns' offense got rolling, but Boston responded. Stealing the ball from Durant at the top of the key, Horford went coast-to-coast, finishing a layup at the other end to jump start the Celtics' offense.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tatum answered the call, scoring nine straight points, as the Celtics' defense picked up late, fueling the team's 12-4 run in the final three minutes of the opening quarter. With a big steal late, Pritchard dished it out to Tatum for an easy transition dunk, and knocked down a three at the top of the key on the next possession.</div><div><br /></div><div>Boston wasted no time to build off their momentum, with Jaylen Brown driving to the basket and finishing a tough left hand layup in traffic for an and-one. Despite Durant being on the bench, Phoenix's second unit put together a 10-2 run at the start of the second quarter to neutralize Boston's offense with threes from Bol Bol and Grayson Allen.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although the Celtics stayed ahead a majority of the second, Bol Bol's 10 points in the quarter, paired with Phoenix's offensive rebounding, led to Boston having difficulty making stops. Luckily Brown was on a mission in the second quarter, scoring 15 points alone in the period. Tatum (23 points) capped off the first half with a series of pull up threes over Durant in the final minute on consecutive possessions -- that got the Garden to erupt.</div><div><br /></div><div>With a 65-60 advantage at the break, Boston went on a quick 11-0 run to start the third frame, only for the Suns to match it with a 7-0 spurt of their own, before the C's responded with a series of plays to extend their lead to 13. After Brown drained a three in the corner, Holiday on the other end stripped Beal, sprinted up the court and knocked down a pull up three.</div><div><br /></div><div>Behind Horford's eight third quarter points, the Celtics continued to pour it on from three -- connecting on eight of them and sparking a 17-3 run to take a 17-point lead into the fourth while limiting Durant to just three points since the first period.</div><div><br /></div><div>Brown scored another seven points in the final frame, including an electric on-handed slam dunk on a lazy inbound pass from Allen that put the Celtics up 124-106 with 2:58 left to play, as the Garden faithful got on its feet, and both teams emptied their benches following a Phoenix timeout.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>After improving to an NBA-best 52-14, Brown gave credit to the coaching staff for keeping the team focused on achieving their ultimate goal this season -- winning a championship.</div></div><blockquote><div>"We've been very well coached, we've been disciplined. We haven't had so many lapses this season," said Brown in his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFzQ98kS3gs" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame presser</span></b></a>. "I feel like we've been a focused team, a smarter team."</div></blockquote><div>Boston hopes to carry their recent success Sunday night on the road against the Washington Wizards (11-55), in a 6:00 pm ET tip-off. </div></div>
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<b>Game Notes:</b>
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<br />The Suns dominated Boston on the offensive boards, with a 19-6 advantage. Phoenix won the overall rebound battle 51-33 and outscored the home team 50-40 in the paint. Boston was 25-of-50 (50%) from long distance, while the Suns were 11-of-31 (35.5%) on 3-pointers. The Celtics also finished with 12 steals -- forcing 14 total turnovers compared to the Suns' four, while turning the ball over 14 times.<div>
<div><br /></div><b><i>Ian </i></b><i><b>Carrano</b></i><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-62110076288796565632024-03-14T16:32:00.033-04:002024-03-15T06:56:09.677-04:00Causeway Street Podcast - Is Jayson Tatum a Top-5 player?<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3rFi2uRCusleWPlzGcbP43g1tBK4payKmf3tf_jjLLgRmMEaLXIl1ZlLHP4iYZLyTp_cnbhYp2TSGBNBeb6N2VMzK1RIj7e5J1T-i2Z0eStlwecdvT8YW4_XPK4L6NW-wiko0Np-PYvr2AAgyconAOnbNTvzhpmbaTAjRMwNwKHITA_1wrSS4bSd0Cc/s1400/IMG_7390.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3rFi2uRCusleWPlzGcbP43g1tBK4payKmf3tf_jjLLgRmMEaLXIl1ZlLHP4iYZLyTp_cnbhYp2TSGBNBeb6N2VMzK1RIj7e5J1T-i2Z0eStlwecdvT8YW4_XPK4L6NW-wiko0Np-PYvr2AAgyconAOnbNTvzhpmbaTAjRMwNwKHITA_1wrSS4bSd0Cc/w400-h225/IMG_7390.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We countdown the bottom half of our yearly Top-25 list and discuss if Jayson Tatum is considered one of the five best players in the NBA. Plus, we talk the Celtics recent run and news from around the league. Tune in below to Episode 334 of the Causeway Street Podcast!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a><iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=NSM5589297499" width="100%"></iframe></span></div>
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Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-11444752638722211242024-03-13T15:15:00.000-04:002024-03-13T15:15:12.194-04:00Celtics 123, Jazz 107: Jayson Tatum leads C's in Utah to close out five-game road trip<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF1vy7fvfp6WP2EqJMeGlo300t2gIyN3vpsV9r5JN1NKxUoqre2MJQAySyP6qxYEA2bSGzx99cd48ru9iW1KWa5nzI4p7JpMloMg-WlDKjpQR9gpvC0OdislcM3b4gHilYLJUKssh0x7HrfUfjfu86OOqUJ1jpgMg8F30SsE6_zkmIy388S3UgXqKKXw/s1520/IMG_7385.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF1vy7fvfp6WP2EqJMeGlo300t2gIyN3vpsV9r5JN1NKxUoqre2MJQAySyP6qxYEA2bSGzx99cd48ru9iW1KWa5nzI4p7JpMloMg-WlDKjpQR9gpvC0OdislcM3b4gHilYLJUKssh0x7HrfUfjfu86OOqUJ1jpgMg8F30SsE6_zkmIy388S3UgXqKKXw/w400-h225/IMG_7385.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics didn't skip a beat on a second night of a back-to-back, getting past the Utah Jazz 123-107 at the Delta Center Tuesday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>Jayson Tatum was the game's leading scorer with 38 points on 13-of-25 from the field and 4-of-10 from deep, while Derrick White added 24 points and connected on a season-high 7-of-11 from 3-point range to help the C's improve to 51-14 on the season.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>"The law of averages, you play so many games you won't be perfect every night. You have to stick with it and trust that you're going to have more good days than bad," said Tatum postgame on his shooting performance to wrap up a five-game road trip.</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Jrue Holiday, who returned from a <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-will-be-without-kristaps.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">one-game absence</span></b></a>, netted 16 points and handed out eight assists and Sam Hauser was 4-of-11 from long distance to chip in 14 points as a starter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston, playing without <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/jaylen-brown-kristaps-porzingis-al.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">three rotation players</span></b></a> Jaylen Brown (sacroiliac strain), Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring sprain), and Al Horford (toe sprain), concluded their mid-west swing at 3-2.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Rookie Keyonte George had 26 points, six assists, while Jordan Clarkson scored 21 points off the bench and Collin Sexton recorded 20 points and five assists to lead the Jazz without their star Lauri Markkanen (thigh) -- which fell to a 28-37 record.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics notched 44-first quarter points (tying a season-high), to take a double-digit lead into the second -- despite 14 points from George to open the game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Jazz cut a 17-point deficit down to four with 6:07 remaining in the first half, before Boston used an 18-7 run to close the period and take a 72-57 advantage into the break and Tatum had 18 points.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Utah, still hanging around, went on a 16-6 spurt to once again get within four (90-86) with 1:57 left in the third quarter and then eventually to two in the last 36 seconds. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With the Celtics up 98-91 and Tatum on the bench to start the final frame, the visiting team put away the Jazz by scoring 20 straight unanswered points that concluded with back-to-back 3-pointers by Holiday to give them a 24-point margin (the largest of the night) with 6:28 left to play.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston forced 12 consecutive empty possessions by the Jazz during that 20-0 span to take control for good in less than six minutes to begin the fourth.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"We have a lot of elite defenders and a lot of guys that are competing on both sides of the ball. When you have guys doing things like that, it just drives you to compete more defensively it's just a lot of fun," White said in his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xCvfXUPDzo" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame comments</span></b></a>.</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics are 9-2 on second nights of back-to-backs and a league-best 22-11 on the road, as they return to TD Garden -- where they're 29-3 -- to host the Phoenix Suns (38-27) Thursday night. <b><i>TNT</i></b> has the tip-off at 7:30 pm ET. </div></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kmjaqvcf5OI?si=6Ogt6FnHdRkkOO8J" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<b>Game Notes:</b>
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<br />Boston hit 46.7% from the field and 20-of-49 (40.8%) from behind the arc, while the Jazz were 47.7% from the floor and 15-of-32 (46.9%) from 3. The Celtics out-rebounded (46-38) and outscored the home team in the paint 44-40. The C's had 25 assists (nine turnovers) on 43 baskets and Utah dished out 23 dimes (10 turnovers) on 41 made shots.<div><br /></div><div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of USA Today </i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-61930100440388375612024-03-12T18:23:00.107-04:002024-03-13T13:47:24.969-04:00Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis & Al Horford to sit out against Utah<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3RuJha0kDRKDVi9xwk5jzKzhHR0BHSaQQCSs5SITIXkjg7h5m6PReUT8eoOLYcXTq712x7PH84THApq_2eS1GIlp4DHUifoOe0ikY8CFiH7OmB9GkvgGQ9AlGh9LWND7A4chdeZgQjnZ9Ce8qOMA8Y361FhODfbod20uYx5fTCd33OZ5Gx1DkalGmNM/s1120/IMG_7386.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1120" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3RuJha0kDRKDVi9xwk5jzKzhHR0BHSaQQCSs5SITIXkjg7h5m6PReUT8eoOLYcXTq712x7PH84THApq_2eS1GIlp4DHUifoOe0ikY8CFiH7OmB9GkvgGQ9AlGh9LWND7A4chdeZgQjnZ9Ce8qOMA8Y361FhODfbod20uYx5fTCd33OZ5Gx1DkalGmNM/w400-h225/IMG_7386.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics will be shorthanded once again on the second night of a back-to-back when they face the Utah Jazz Tuesday to close out their five-game road trip.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /><a name='more'></a>Jaylen Brown (</span>sacroiliac strain), Kristaps Porzingis (<a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-will-be-without-kristaps.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">right hamstring strain</span></b></a>), and Al Horford (left big toe sprain) are all listed as out, per the team's injury report.</div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEBHInjuryReport?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEBHInjuryReport</a> for tonight at Utah:<br /><br />Jaylen Brown (sacroiliac strain) - OUT<br />Al Horford (left big toe sprain) - OUT<br />Svi Mykhailiuk (personal reasons) - QUESTIONABLE<br />Kristaps Porzingis (right hamstring strain) - OUT</p>— Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1767629115778371793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />Porzingis is set to miss his third straight game following the <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/nuggets-115-celtics-109-jaylen-browns.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">loss in Denver</span></b></a> where he had to chase around Nikola Jokic, while sitting out against the <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-117-suns-107-jayson-tatum.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Suns</span></b></a> and the <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-121-trail-blazers-99-jaylen.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Trail Blazers</span></b></a>, in which both games were wins for the C's.<div><br /></div><div>Horford, who hasn't played in any back-to-backs this season is taking his scheduled day off to rest after starting in place of Porzinigis on Monday and finishing with 11 points on 4-of-4 from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from deep, to go along with four rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 30 minutes of action in Portland.</div><div><br /></div><div>Brown was listed as questionable prior to Boston facing the Blazers with the sacroiliac strain, but it didn't seem to slow him down, recording 27 points in the victory. The All-Star wing gets some much-needed rest, as he's averaging 29 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in his last five games.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Jrue Holiday returning to the lineup from a one-game absence, look for Sam Hauser -- who shot 6-of-10 from the field to net a season-high 22 points off the bench in Monday's win -- to get a starting nod tonight against the Jazz over Payton Pritchard. Luke Kornet should also get starter minutes mixed with Xavier Tillman getting some extended run.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Celtics tip-off in Utah at 9:00 pm ET from the Delta Center.</div><div><br /></div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-44713180010813278252024-03-12T12:34:00.000-04:002024-03-12T12:34:44.641-04:00Celtics 121, Trail Blazers 99: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum lead short-handed C's past Portland<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhrY6BjbeFq-i-zRU7HZXyXKLTkVWMSjScHFxpEXZ-L_Rz8OSmyN1mVZaSxBtPX9MOdTkBa_IImToLjBYmIcdG24G5AmfsNGd9QFZOPoSkuHyY84Ka3xHC7q2LZQphDFIBsl_387eRtC_H8xqZSPSdQL46rlhsTKefNHhEbUlnZ4hqHohWxK88I29ltk/s2046/IMG_7367.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2046" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhrY6BjbeFq-i-zRU7HZXyXKLTkVWMSjScHFxpEXZ-L_Rz8OSmyN1mVZaSxBtPX9MOdTkBa_IImToLjBYmIcdG24G5AmfsNGd9QFZOPoSkuHyY84Ka3xHC7q2LZQphDFIBsl_387eRtC_H8xqZSPSdQL46rlhsTKefNHhEbUlnZ4hqHohWxK88I29ltk/w400-h225/IMG_7367.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics cruised past the Portland Trail Blazers 121-99 Monday night at Moda Center to become the first team in the league to reach 50 wins this season.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>Jaylen Brown had a game-high 27 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists, while Jayson Tatum added 26 points, five rebounds, and eight assists to lead the Cs, who have officially clinched a playoff berth with 18 games remaining.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>"At this point of the season, to have 50 wins, it means we're doing something right," Tatum said during <a href="https://x.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1767426870931296591?s=20" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame comments</span></b></a>. "The scary part is, we can get better."</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Boston, <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-will-be-without-kristaps.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">playing without two starters</span></b></a> Jrue Holiday (knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) on the first night of a back-to-back, finished with six players scoring in double-figures -- including Sam Hauser with 22 points on 6-of-10 from 3-point range off the bench -- to help reach the 50-win milestone for the third consecutive season.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"All the guys laugh because, around this time of year, I say the same thing -- how much of an honor it is to be on a team that's won, get into the playoffs and to not wanna take that for granted -- "I'm grateful to be on a team that's winning, that's been playing the right way and has as another opportunity to do something special. That's a blessing," Brown said in his <a href="https://x.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1767426870931296591?s=20" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">joint presser</span></b></a> with Tatum.</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">DeAndre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with 22 points, 15 rebounds while Anfernee Simons netted 17 points and Jerami Grant chipped in 14 points for Portland -- which dropped to 18-46.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics were ahead by as many as 17 in the first half, despite the Blazers getting within six points in the second frame, before the visiting team used a 10-2 spurt to close the quarter and take a 66-52 advantage into the break.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Portland kept hanging around in the third, cutting their deficit to single digits on a 15-5 run with 1:36 remaining in the period.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hauser hit his sixth 3-pointer (season-high) of the night at the two-minute mark in the final frame to put Boston up 20, which turned into 24 -- the largest margin of the night -- as part of a 17-8 run to close out the Trail Blazers in the wire-to-wire victory.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"We don't really look at a team's record," Hauser <a href="https://x.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1767416030891024490?s=20" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">said following the win</span></b></a>. "It's the NBA, everybody has talented players. You can lose any given night, so we just try to take it one day at a time, once game at a time, and find things that we can get better at each and every day."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics will wrap up their road trip on Tuesday night in Utah when they face the Jazz (28-36). </div></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xzuy793JDo4?si=COSvpiERIQKJgMHq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<b>Game Notes:</b>
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Boston hit 49% of their field goals, including 15-of-40 (37.5%) from deep, while the Trail Blazers were 44.8% from the floor and 10-of-28 (35.7%) from 3-point range. The Celtics won the rebound battle 45-38 and outscored the home team in the paint 60-44. The C's also dished out 34 assists (three turnovers) on 49 baskets and Portland had 23 dimes (11 turnovers) on 39 made shots.<div><br /></div><div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
<a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" href="https://twitter.com/Joel_CSP">Follow @Joe1_CSP</a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.x.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-75497876665168451482024-03-11T19:23:00.080-04:002024-03-11T21:53:39.890-04:00Celtics will be without Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday against Trail Blazers<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYQlMLBmFAHGZRg-htv2nKJsvCnrv0M0K6r8pvYWXvyXf1cPxBn1PYlHvF_xkyM5qFaED82QPDpaucRUdzIV4WXpamuTY4pnnfEeI22Ppd6JIVi3l4xiPVgAlw0wR-l536IbvxvYS68k916hfCFJXHKlTbzM3iEksKYhrAWsIn7pS1H8vXGNHieowteg/s1520/IMG_7363.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYQlMLBmFAHGZRg-htv2nKJsvCnrv0M0K6r8pvYWXvyXf1cPxBn1PYlHvF_xkyM5qFaED82QPDpaucRUdzIV4WXpamuTY4pnnfEeI22Ppd6JIVi3l4xiPVgAlw0wR-l536IbvxvYS68k916hfCFJXHKlTbzM3iEksKYhrAWsIn7pS1H8vXGNHieowteg/w400-h225/IMG_7363.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics will be without starters Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis when they face the Portland Trail Blazers tonight.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>Porzingis, who sat out Saturday's <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-117-suns-107-jayson-tatum.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">117-107 win</span></b></a> over the Phoenix Suns with right hamstring tightness, is set to miss his second straight game with the same ailment. Holiday is sidelined with </span>left knee tendinopathy, according to the C's and sharpshooter reserve Svi Mykhailiuk is also out for personal reasons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEBHInjuryReport?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEBHInjuryReport</a> update:<br /><br />Jaylen Brown - AVAILABLE<br />Jrue Holiday (left knee tendinopathy) - OUT<br />Jayson Tatum - AVAILABLE<br />Derrick White - AVAILABLE <a href="https://t.co/or1osUbnAm">https://t.co/or1osUbnAm</a></p>— Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1767277636378939684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />On Sunday, the Celtics listed the rest of their <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1766989542614347819" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">starting lineup as questionable</span></b></a>, but it turns out Jayson Tatum (right ankle impingement), Jaylen Brown (sacroiliac strain), and Derrick White (left-hand sprain) will all play Monday in Portland with Al Horford and Sam Hauser starting in place of Porzingis and Holiday (only missed five games).<div><br /></div><div>Horford has made 24 starts this season and Porzingis hasn't played in any back-to-backs, while Hauser has started six times so far. Look for the seven-footer to return Tuesday when Boston faces the Jazz in Utah and Horford is likely to sit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Payton Pritchard should get extended minutes against the Trail Blazers along with Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and possibly Jaden Springer, as the Celtics tip-off in Portland at 10:30 pm ET on <b><i>NBA TV</i></b>.</div><div><br /></div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-77155385683538140232024-03-10T13:10:00.002-04:002024-03-10T13:10:18.007-04:00Celtics 117, Suns 107: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown top Phoenix despite 45 from Kevin Durant<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhds5ZA2hb_dtcQakb0mnnoys_qsIe1R4rcCSlU8_b6GaIUmkoR8XVoEkz15Zo-BHrPC6HDzs3GuCEpqx73moUp6SqckeqCyjGFU40wA6a3-rPV7IUQioBspHEruiILsTE7i4wgGXuVf2rRhynx_IdQEER6eNFSlwR9_MFgmaSyjxag9KGP9pb-olSSzDs/s1520/IMG_7349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhds5ZA2hb_dtcQakb0mnnoys_qsIe1R4rcCSlU8_b6GaIUmkoR8XVoEkz15Zo-BHrPC6HDzs3GuCEpqx73moUp6SqckeqCyjGFU40wA6a3-rPV7IUQioBspHEruiILsTE7i4wgGXuVf2rRhynx_IdQEER6eNFSlwR9_MFgmaSyjxag9KGP9pb-olSSzDs/w400-h225/IMG_7349.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics beat the Phoenix Suns 117-107 Saturday night at Footprint Center to snap a two-game skid.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a>Jayson Tatum bounced back from a <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/nuggets-115-celtics-109-jaylen-browns.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">15-point performance</span></b></a> against the Denver Nuggets to finish with 29 points on 11-of-28 from the field, including 5-of-9 from deep, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the win.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div>"We're not perfect. We try to be, we really do try," Tatum said in his <a href="https://x.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1766693162200821960?s=20" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame presser</span></b></a>. "But we make mistakes. This is a tough league, the other teams are really good and have great players. It's all about how you respond. You want to be a special team, you've got to do a good job responding. </div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div>"Today, we bounced back in a positive way and got a big win on the road."</div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Jaylen Brown added 27 points on 10-of-21 from the floor, while Jrue Holiday chipped in 15 points (5-of-7) and six assists to help the C's, who haven't lost three in a row all year, improve to 49-14 overall without Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kevin Durant had a season-high 45 points (18-of-26) to go along with 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the Suns -- playing without Devin Booker (ankle). Bradley Beal scored 25 points, while Bol Bol netted 13 off the bench and Jusuf Nurkic recorded 11 points, 11 rebounds for Phoenix, who fell to 37-27.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston never trailed in the second half after a 62-50 advantage at the break and 18 points from Brown in the first 24 minutes. The Suns used a 9-0 spurt to get within three (77-74) with 2:10 left in the third quarter before Holiday knocked down a 3-pointer to spark a 10-4 run to take an 87-78 lead into the final frame.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The deficit was as much as 15 for Phoenix in the fourth, but they did get as close as five with 3:55 left to play. Al Horford hit his only three on the night from the left corner (1-of-7), as the C's outscored the hometeam 10-5 the rest of the way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston's second unit edged out the Suns' bench 27-16, with huge contributions from Luke Kornet (14) and Payton Pritchard (10).</div><blockquote>"They were amazing, they were tremendous," coach Joe Mazzulla said. "I thought Payton changed the game with his defense."</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics will head to Portland and face the Trail Blazers (18-45) Monday and then to Utah to take on the Jazz (28-36) Tuesday on back-to-back nights. </div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JF7QJLiIvxA?si=l3f2oGvPUilL8gYP" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<b>Game Notes:</b>
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<br />Boston hit 48.9% from the field, including 15-of-39 (38.5%) from 3-point range, while the Suns were 50.6% from the floor and 9-of-31 (29%) from long distance. The Celtics won the rebound (43-41) and the points in the paint (60-56) battle. The C's dished out 29 assists (12 turnovers) on 46 baskets and Phoenix had 21 dimes (15 turnovers) on 44 made shots.<div><br /></div><div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of USA Today</i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-80769264607093177222024-03-08T15:06:00.003-05:002024-03-08T15:06:45.366-05:00Nuggets 115, Celtics 109: Jaylen Brown's 41 points not enough to overcome Nikola Jokic's triple-double<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLBN_FohrZ6oftcqHQwmoUofasZvWv9BXfMNS7Gg-vo1WXFY9VmckKFXg60Byygoex27GMtGg9MkZCWICsHO1SBW9m-bme1lAw2pbWkxE3AoIRUTGn5ZGi_D78wueILXjnyHUaK36rDFb7UoBqqWyBoUKBIU0_f76rkmlAeSIfvJyCtUhpTNM7158nSc/s1520/IMG_7325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLBN_FohrZ6oftcqHQwmoUofasZvWv9BXfMNS7Gg-vo1WXFY9VmckKFXg60Byygoex27GMtGg9MkZCWICsHO1SBW9m-bme1lAw2pbWkxE3AoIRUTGn5ZGi_D78wueILXjnyHUaK36rDFb7UoBqqWyBoUKBIU0_f76rkmlAeSIfvJyCtUhpTNM7158nSc/w400-h225/IMG_7325.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hoping to avenge their <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/cavaliers-105-celtics-104-fourth.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">fourth-quarter meltdown</span></b></a> against the Cavaliers from earlier in the week, the Celtics suffered their 14th defeat of the season to the defending champion <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/nba-announces-celtics-nuggets-to-play.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Denver Nuggets</span></b></a> (43-20) Thursday night, losing 115-109 at Ball Arena.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>In a thriller down the stretch, Boston couldn't overcome Nikola Jokic's 32-point triple-double despite <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/nba-named-jaylen-brown-eastern.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jaylen Brown</span></b></a>'s dominant 41-point performance while <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/jayson-tatum-earns-eastern-conference.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jayson Tatum</span></b></a> struggled offensively.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Brown led all scorers with a season-high in points on 16-of-29 from the field to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds while Kristaps Porzingis added 24 points and 12 rebounds. Tatum only scored 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting and dished out eight assists. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Jokic's 32 points led the Nuggets on 11-of-19 from the floor plus, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists for his final stat line, while Jamal Murray finished with 19 points (7-of-18) and eight assists.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>After another tough loss, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla understood the importance of valuing each possession from limiting turnovers, and making their free throws (Boston hit 16-of-25), to closing out quarters strong -- both areas Boston will need to improve upon going forward to bounce back.</div><blockquote><div>"Every detail matters there when you're playing against another great team and they were able to take advantage of some of those margins there. So that's the stuff we'll learn from," Mazzulla said postgame.</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Boston's faithful traveled well, as from the opening tip, you could hear "Let's Go Celtics" chants. The C's, hoping to improve to 20-10 on the road this season, got into a rhythm behind their defense.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>After Jrue Holiday (12 points) mishandled a backdoor pass from Derrick White, Boston got it right back with White not giving up on the play, stripping Jamal Murray and throwing up an electrifying lob to Jaylen Brown, who brought the intensity early. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Scoring seven points in less than six minutes to start the first quarter, Brown led Boston's offensive attack. While the Celtics had a strong opening frame behind their two stars, Denver matched their production, led by Jokic's five assists.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Brown continued his aggressiveness, taking full control of Boston's offense, scoring 15 of his 41 points in the second -- including the team's first 10 points of the quarter. Brown carried the load, and that translated to crashing the boards with purpose, getting three offensive rebounds on one possession, and finishing a tough contested layup for an and-one play. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Nuggets continued to apply pressure however as Jokic's 13 points in the second gave Denver an eight-point advantage (62-54) after his buzzer-beating mid-range shot going into the break.</div><div><br /></div><div>Porzingis started the second half on a high note, knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to cut the Celtics' deficit down to only two. Brown continued to build off his strong start, adding 12 more points to his total in the third quarter, with Porzingis taking some pressure off, by scoring nine points, but Tatum's ineffectiveness on offense (2 points and five turnovers) through the third period proved problematic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jokic continued to target Porzingis in the post, adding another six points, while the Nuggets put their foot on the gas to end the quarter with a 22-12 run -- giving them a 90-80 lead heading into the final frame.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just when it looked like Denver could pull away late, Boston responded with an 8-2 scoring spurt with three minutes to play and crawled back into the game. But the Nuggets stayed tough throughout as Aaron Gordon (16 points, nine rebounds) had a series of highlight plays in the final minutes, finishing a thunderous one-handed slam off a Jokic miss with two minutes to play. </div><div><br /></div><div>Boston in desperate need of some baskets down six, Jrue Holiday stepped up, knocking down a huge step-back 3-pointer. He then followed that up with another step back 3 on Jokic in the corner to cut the deficit down to two (111-109).</div><div><br /></div><div>With 45 seconds left, Boston's great ball movement in transition on a steal gave Tatum an open three, but he was unable to knock it down from the right-hand corner. Denver would take advantage and close the game out with another Gordon lob -- sealing the Celtics' fate and forcing them to suffer their second-straight defeat for the first time since November. </div><blockquote><div>"We had our chances, and when you play against another good team, those things get magnified," said Mazzulla on his club simply not being good enough in the clucth against one of the league's top teams.</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Boston (48-14) hopes to get back on track against the Phoenix Suns (37-26) Saturday night at 8:30 pm ET on <b><i>ABC</i></b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m2QoYSGyf4A?si=CIM0XaWa4Ra9z1LL" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<b>Game Notes:</b>
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<br /><div>Boston knocked down 11-of-38 (28.9%) 3-pointers compared to Denver, who only made 4-of-21 (19%)from long distance. The Celtics outrebounded the Nuggets 47-45 but made only 64% of their free throws compared to the home team who made 21-of-22 free throws. Denver forced 12 Boston turnovers, while only turning the ball over seven times. </div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div><b><i>Ian </i></b><i><b>Carrano</b></i><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-2193394869816947712024-03-07T15:37:00.034-05:002024-03-07T22:58:52.296-05:00NBA announces Celtics, Nuggets to play two Oct. preseason games in Abu Dhabi<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_9MPGFmsBW7Rcr2eLQ2yVcTZcqrzrzPPYTqMttiwLhVxzajh4BXzrewJMgfn7MbSan_O2KFLU5E8eWfQg4XO29gLkGmF8wCwdOqbf8IJBYnyLwL1VQC7dn2VNvWrCqXKyy0h_VD0CLCkmtMIiAWiuMYa2i1AeOO9A7EMJGPT81ba995jYMvyX0qFLEU/s1024/IMG_7320.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_9MPGFmsBW7Rcr2eLQ2yVcTZcqrzrzPPYTqMttiwLhVxzajh4BXzrewJMgfn7MbSan_O2KFLU5E8eWfQg4XO29gLkGmF8wCwdOqbf8IJBYnyLwL1VQC7dn2VNvWrCqXKyy0h_VD0CLCkmtMIiAWiuMYa2i1AeOO9A7EMJGPT81ba995jYMvyX0qFLEU/w400-h225/IMG_7320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics and the current reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets will play each other in a pair of preseason games in Abu Dhabi this October, the NBA announced Wednesday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a>Two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic and the five-time All-Star <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/jayson-tatum-earns-eastern-conference.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jayson Tatum</span></b></a> are set to face off on October 4 and October 6 in what will be the third edition of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Nuggets beat the Miami Heat -- who eliminated the Celtics last year in the East Finals -- to clinch their first NBA title in the franchise's 47-year history.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston meanwhile, are a heavy favorite as they own the league's best record at 48-13 after getting a season-high 11-game <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/cavaliers-105-celtics-104-fourth.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">win streak snapped</span></b></a> Tuesday.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div>"We're excited to bring two of the best teams in the NBA to Abu Dhabi in the Celtics and the Nuggets," Mark Tatum, the NBA's deputy commissioner, said in a press release.</div><div><br /></div><div>"There is incredible momentum around basketball in the UAE and across the Middle East, and we believe these games as well as our year-round grassroots development and fan engagement efforts will be a catalyst for the continued growth of the game in the region."</div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Nuggets (42-20) will also host the Celtics Thursday night at Ball Arena, with a 10:00 pm ET tip-off on <b><i>TNT</i></b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-39263306851086934192024-03-06T12:04:00.002-05:002024-03-06T18:58:49.059-05:00Cavaliers 105, Celtics 104: Fourth quarter collapse snaps Boston's 11-game win streak<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRCLWKjJNH1sTU_puEK606f6wS2RNFq_xFgheFYC2jmMNfiombROvJMqvpHLP3fF9gUgqd0M-artWKixUlvsvVGFrbdF5Wb-UVBSDyFGd6RZpbCfmNR9cUQXBxgBFmGtGJZC9tCRubcEdZBPxZ2oOtTAEPyIL9c9-iaPde4vddVRl2yA7uS6pxov5TmY/s1520/IMG_7301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRCLWKjJNH1sTU_puEK606f6wS2RNFq_xFgheFYC2jmMNfiombROvJMqvpHLP3fF9gUgqd0M-artWKixUlvsvVGFrbdF5Wb-UVBSDyFGd6RZpbCfmNR9cUQXBxgBFmGtGJZC9tCRubcEdZBPxZ2oOtTAEPyIL9c9-iaPde4vddVRl2yA7uS6pxov5TmY/w400-h225/IMG_7301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>The Celtics fell to the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers 105-104 Tuesday night at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, suffering their first defeat in over a month to snap an 11-game win streak.</div><div><span><br /><a name='more'></a></span>The loss, was due in large part to a lopsided fourth quarter, where the Cavs outscored the C's 34-17, despite being without their All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in the contest.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Boston led by as much as 20 to start the final frame, which was their largest margin, before Cleveland went on a 32-6 run. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Cavaliers were ice cold in the first half, shooting 31% from the field at intermission. After struggling offensively most of the night, Cleveland burned the nets down in the fourth, going 7-of-10 from beyond the arc, while the Celtics went 0-of-8 from deep in the fourth. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dean Wade was the catalyst for the Cavs, draining three after three and ended up with 20 of his 23 points in the fourth, while shooting 8-of-11 overall including 6-of-11 from long distance and also the game winning putback dunk in the final 19 seconds.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The Celtics had a chance to win the game after Wade's putback and being down by one with the ball. <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/jayson-tatum-earns-eastern-conference.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jayson Tatum</span></b></a> went for a mid range fadeaway with 1.7 seconds left on the clock that fell well short, but a foul was called on Darius Garland. Cleveland then challenged the foul call, which ended up being overturned, resulting in a jump ball at midcourt with 0.7 seconds on the game clock. </div><div><br /></div><div>On what turned out to be the Celtics' final play, Tatum took the clock nearly all the way down before attempting the fadeaway jumper.</div></div><blockquote><div>"Probably should have went a little faster," Tatum <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JH8M4yf0hg" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">told reporters</span></b></a> of the last possession, "just in case some shit like that happens, maybe we have more time, maybe we have another opportunity."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Outside of Wade's 23 points off the bench -- which was only his second 20-point game of the season to lead all Cavalier scorers, Jarrett Allen poured in 21 points on 9-of-16 and grabbed 12 rebounds as well. Garland added 16 points, 11 assists and Issac Okorio also netted 16 for Cleveland, who improved to 40-21 on the season.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the Celtics, Tatum was initially on fire with 22 points in the first half on 7-of-9 shooting, but went frigid in the last two quarters going only 1-of-12 from the field.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div>"They got into him, they pressured him," coach Joe Mazzulla said of Cleveland's second half adjustment on guarding Tatum, "they definitely crowded him and made him put the ball on the floor."</div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Tatum finished the game with 26 points and 13 rebounds on 8-of-21 overall from the field and 5-of-9 from three point land, while <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/nba-named-jaylen-brown-eastern.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jaylen Brown</span></b></a> also struggled on 8-of-20 shooting to score 21 points.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kristaps Porzingis, who chipped in 24 points on 9-of-18 from the floor with nine rebounds and three blocks, took an optimistic view of the outcome despite the loss.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div>"It was a good loss for us. It's healthy for us. We do have the feeling that pretty much we're going to win every game, we're invincible, a little bit of that feeling is always there, it may be healthy, but it’s also healthy to get a loss here and there."</div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Boston (48-13) will look to bounce back in a potential NBA Finals preview against the defending champion Denver Nuggets (42-20) at Ball Arena Thursday night in a 10 pm ET tip-off on <b><i>TNT</i></b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>
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<b>Game Notes:</b>
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<div><b><br /></b></div><div>Boston was 41.9% from the field, included 15-of-38 (39.5%) from long distance, while the Cavaliers were 43.3% from the floor and 20-of-42 (47.6%) from 3. The Celtics out-rebounded the home team 53-42 and outscored them in the paint 48-32. Cleveland dished out 28 assists (nine turnovers) on 39 baskets and the C's had 24 dimes (13 turnovers) also on 39 made shots. </div><div><br /></div>
<br /><div><b><i>Eli </i></b><i><b>Weisberger</b></i></div><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of USA Today</i></b></span><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-20514899494913881592024-03-05T18:42:00.001-05:002024-03-19T04:36:47.351-04:00Jayson Tatum earns Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors for February<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1p7RLjqtmxoDpp6IkB0L8TPqh-MTgrjv-TRm2RTm-wjN7rxa_skOvc0Y3kY4RIBGDhSZ7ANWYTz1WiYQQP4JeDqCp43_jIxrxn6cM4bEfwzrJBnAmC1FDVLKkK6brqR_u66o3j4Z9JxH-0fGnf6dj7Chz7umLnp_KgowXuz_3v1z-xT5cKO53N-0ML4/s2048/IMG_7247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1p7RLjqtmxoDpp6IkB0L8TPqh-MTgrjv-TRm2RTm-wjN7rxa_skOvc0Y3kY4RIBGDhSZ7ANWYTz1WiYQQP4JeDqCp43_jIxrxn6cM4bEfwzrJBnAmC1FDVLKkK6brqR_u66o3j4Z9JxH-0fGnf6dj7Chz7umLnp_KgowXuz_3v1z-xT5cKO53N-0ML4/w400-h225/IMG_7247.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The NBA has named Jayson Tatum Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February, the league announced on Monday afternoon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>The All-Star forward led the Celtics to a 9-1 record last month, while putting up </span>27.2 points on 48% from the field and 35.1% from 3-point range to go along with 8.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per contest -- with the <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/lakers-114-celtics-105-austin-reaves.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">lone loss</span></b></a> coming on Feb. 1 against the Lakers at home.</div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in February. <a href="https://t.co/aovun28RQi">pic.twitter.com/aovun28RQi</a></p>— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAPR/status/1764757714964550121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />This is the second time that Tatum has earned <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2023/12/nba-named-jayson-tatum-eastern.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Player of the Month honors</span></b></a> this season after winning the award back in Oct/Nov with averages of 27.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in Boston's first 18 games of the 2023-24 campaign. The Celtics star has now taken home East Player of the Month four times throughout his career.<div><br /></div><div>Since the All-Star break, Tatum has been a topic of debate in <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/brad-stevens-weighs-in-on-jayson-tatums.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">MVP conversations</span></b></a> as the Celtics have won 11 straight over the past month -- the longest win streak in the NBA this season -- while currently owning the league's best record at 48-12 overall.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luka Dončić, who is also in the discussion for MVP, picked up Player of the Month for the Western Conference.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Tatum's All-Star teammate <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/nba-named-jaylen-brown-eastern.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jaylen Brown</span></b></a> was also just named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between Feb. 25 - March 3, which include impressive blowout wins over the red-hot <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-138-mavericks-110-jayson-tatum.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Dallas Mavericks</span></b></a> and the <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-140-warriors-88-jaylen-brown.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Golden State Warriors</span></b></a> with a combined average margin of 40 points in each victory.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Celtics look to extend their streak when they face the Cavaliers (39-21) in Cleveland tonight, as <b><i>TNT</i></b> has the tip-off at 7:30 pm ET.</div><div><br /></div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-90624602609499013392024-03-05T17:41:00.003-05:002024-03-19T04:33:28.731-04:00NBA named Jaylen Brown Eastern Conference Player of the Week<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GpfTuLF271ZLge5xETQsiMYOTSowWujbRlV2C6QRx-XZju78rTc2GRwor8O2hBZ6ry20fvM63iNltJjCCTGm1jGY4JLgafHQz0FU8qy5tWDgyYlCtALOQUDbbnOmoN7jxd_NsDWKzkNIJx0lIUgMf46prymimGw4UhnN7SiP9WStJlw2N617qkgywKc/s1520/IMG_7284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GpfTuLF271ZLge5xETQsiMYOTSowWujbRlV2C6QRx-XZju78rTc2GRwor8O2hBZ6ry20fvM63iNltJjCCTGm1jGY4JLgafHQz0FU8qy5tWDgyYlCtALOQUDbbnOmoN7jxd_NsDWKzkNIJx0lIUgMf46prymimGw4UhnN7SiP9WStJlw2N617qkgywKc/w400-h225/IMG_7284.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The NBA named <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/jaylen-brown-calls-warriors-defensive.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jaylen Brown</span></b></a> Eastern Conference Player of the Week after leading the Celtics to 3-0 between February 25 - March 3.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a>On the heels of a 29-point performance (11-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-10 from deep) in the team's <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-140-warriors-88-jaylen-brown.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">140-88 lopsided victory</span></b></a> over the Golden State Warriors, Brown finished the week averaging 28.3 points (62.3% on field goal attempts and 47% on 3-pointers made), 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and a steal per contest.</div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for Week 19 of the 2023-24 season (Feb. 26 – March 3). <a href="https://t.co/dh6XV0DN8f">pic.twitter.com/dh6XV0DN8f</a></p>— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAPR/status/1764742642749911060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />This is Brown's fourth Player of the Week award of his career and first since March of 2023. The All-Star wing also dropped 31 on 11-of-14 from the field in a <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/celtics-117-76ers-99-jaylen-brown.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">117-99 win</span></b></a> over the Philadelphia 76ers, becoming the first Celtic to score at least 30 points on less than 15 shot attempts since Paul Pierce back in 2008.<div><br /></div><div>The Celtics still own the league's best record at 48-12 and are currently riding a season-best 11-game win streak. They will face the Cleveland Cavaliers (32-21) Tuesday night on the road, as <i><b>TNT</b></i> has the tip-off at 7:30 pm ET.</div><div><br /></div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of USA Today</i></b></span></div><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-48546091102878893862024-03-05T14:45:00.001-05:002024-03-05T14:45:35.224-05:00Jaylen Brown calls Warriors' defensive game plan 'disrespectful'<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEgS3TjrKdHvkpyAvKuOyJ3Zl-sON2A4BeUZBLyi_wU4-Xko8wLdIniU1i6p6F44touLTgq1jfXhqkF92wc3jld-oo_JIQm3tkpCqMRs3V-X-vWHX1PWDtnWdkmo8pUZ0qEZEq_wLh6uGJZmaA5UhxtbLs8JCL4SkXwfXUXRttSbE3iKV9cGdfENomWw/s2048/IMG_7248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEgS3TjrKdHvkpyAvKuOyJ3Zl-sON2A4BeUZBLyi_wU4-Xko8wLdIniU1i6p6F44touLTgq1jfXhqkF92wc3jld-oo_JIQm3tkpCqMRs3V-X-vWHX1PWDtnWdkmo8pUZ0qEZEq_wLh6uGJZmaA5UhxtbLs8JCL4SkXwfXUXRttSbE3iKV9cGdfENomWw/w400-h225/IMG_7248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics sent a message loud and clear to the Golden State Warriors after their <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/03/celtics-140-warriors-88-jaylen-brown.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">140-88 b</span></b><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>lowout victory</b></span></a> at TD Garden, and that's don't leave Jaylen Brown wide-open.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>In one of the more stranger defensive approaches against Boston so far this season, the Dubs elected to sag off of Brown on nealry every possesion to start Sunday afternoon's nationally televised matchup.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brown, who took full advantage of the lack of coverage, would go on to hit three-straight 3-pointers in a span of 40 seconds, to spark a 23-1 spurt and finish with 19 first quarter-points -- a season best for the All-Star wing.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"I'm sure they thought that's what their best chance was, whoever came up with that defensive concept," Brown said folowing the win. "So, it's not personal. It was a little disrespectful to me, but it is what it is. I came out and I do what I do best."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">It didn't end there, as the Celtics continued to pour it on, ending the first half on a 67-17 run and a franchise record 44-point advantage at the break.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brown concluded his day with 29 points on 11-of-19 from the field, including 5-of-10 from deep in just over 22 minutes for the C's, who led by as many as 56 in the second half.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"We were really grateful for that," coach Joe Mazzulla <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTM3FJ1Cb_Q" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">told reporters</span></b></a> of the Warriors' game plan. "Teams are going to guard us in different ways. We just got to stay open-minded to what gives us the best chance to win. There's a game plan, but then when the game starts, the game will tell us what we need to do."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">As disrespectful as it may have seemed for Brown, according to Draymond Green -- the Warriors' defensive game plan was a last-minute decision just before tip-off.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"I don't think we really played a full defensive strategy to kind of dive into that. We implemented our strategy 15 minutes before we left the locker room," said Green during his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8dskFDO7_c" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame comments</span></b></a>. "It didn't work. Oh well, we move on. It's okay. I thought it was fun, trying. I was actually all for it -- let's try it, see if it works. If it don't, oh well. But if it does, we found something."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Jayson Tatum also put up another <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/brad-stevens-weighs-in-on-jayson-tatums.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">MVP-worthy</span></b></a> performance, netting 27 points on 9-of-13 from the field and 4-of-5 from long distance on his 26th birthday. Golden State's defensive strategy was clearly uneffective when it came to the All-Star duo of Brown and Tatum.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"You try different things, you got to pick your match-ups," Steve Kerr said in his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o2NreggnGs" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame presser</span></b></a>. "We wanted Draymond to be able to help on drives and make sure that we weren't giving up easy stuff in the paint."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, the Celtics not only put on an offensive clinic they were able to demenstrate why they're elite on the other side of the ball as well -- limting Stephen Curry to only four points on 2-of-13 shooting and missing all nine of his 3-point attempts (including two airballs) -- the Warriors overall hit 39.1% from the floor and were 7-of-41 (17.1%) from behind arc.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brown had never been guarded like that before and while he's been pretty consistent at a 35.2% clip from 3 this season, he did mention that fact that he does tend to drive more into the lane to create better shot oppourtunites for his teammates -- who gave him the green light to shoot every chance he was given against Golden State.</div><blockquote>"My teammates empowered me -- they were like, 'we don't care if you shoot every shot down'," Brown said. "On this team, it's about making the right plays, letting guys feel involved, and I feel like I've been doing that all season long, and I'm [going to] keep doing that. But, don't get it twisted."</blockquote><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Brown also added: "But if you want to dare me to shoot, we can do that too. I thought it was a little disrespectful, but we took advantage of it, and we didn't look back."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics at 48-12, will look to extend their 11-game win streak (season-high) when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers (39-21) Tuesday night on the road. <b><i>TNT</i></b> has the tip-off at 7:30 pm ET. </div>
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<div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-56798130616754174742024-03-04T10:28:00.003-05:002024-03-04T10:43:08.052-05:00Celtics 140, Warriors 88: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum combine for 56 in historic-statement win<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsxKf9QEihm79xTC61R2yva9BGLjiW5_Q64jOr2a-XGndB-Ba-iFAzOFQXvDrccgR9ouloN5kXQ9QIP6BXEi6DgoRgWbjPwxDwW57U4TlvKGGLg7gHpyUeGNaRBMRXboqbJZ4fAzl8c1jn2O9uSFzjc5edo5QWPxsl7dFqJQqTTfcaEjSTVtagkyaP98/s1520/IMG_7258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsxKf9QEihm79xTC61R2yva9BGLjiW5_Q64jOr2a-XGndB-Ba-iFAzOFQXvDrccgR9ouloN5kXQ9QIP6BXEi6DgoRgWbjPwxDwW57U4TlvKGGLg7gHpyUeGNaRBMRXboqbJZ4fAzl8c1jn2O9uSFzjc5edo5QWPxsl7dFqJQqTTfcaEjSTVtagkyaP98/w400-h225/IMG_7258.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics showed no signs of slowing down after posting the third-largest margin of victory in franchise history, with a 140-88 blowout of the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden Sunday afternoon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a><a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/jaylen-brown-on-celtics-looking-at.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jaylen Brown</span></b></a> had a game-high 29 points on 11-of-19 from the field, including 5-of-10 from deep, while <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/brad-stevens-weighs-in-on-jayson-tatums.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jayson Tatum</span></b></a> scored 27 points (9-of-13 shooting and 4-of-5 from 3-point range) and dished out five assists on his 26th birthday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span>"It feels great, but, at the same time, it's always within humility," Brown said during his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkfjQIdqxZA" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame comments</span></b></a>. "We don't take the game for granted. We didn't come and mess around and that's just how we show our respect to the game; we handle business and take care of it. ... It's a lot of respect for the Golden State Warriors, but we feel like it's our time now."</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Payton Pritchard netted 19 points off the bench along with six rebounds and six assists for the Celtics, who set a league record with their third 50 points or more wins this season and extended their and the NBA's longest winning streak this year to 11 games.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston, playing without Kristaps Porzingis (left quad), went 25-of-49 from behind the arc, while holding the Warriors to 7-of-41 from long distance.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stephen Curry was 2-of-13 from the floor and 0-of-9 from 3 -- including back-to-back airballs in the first quarter -- to finish with four points, three assists, and a rebound. The All-Star was considered questionable coming into the matchup with a knee injury but played in the first half and did not return following intermission.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"The way that they've been playing, they seem very sure of themselves in their identity and who they are," Curry <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qOjaIwCcWQ" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">told reporters</span></b></a>. "Give them credit. They came out and whooped us tonight from the jump, and it was one of those perfect storms of a rough [day] on our end and them taking it to us."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">It was the fourth-worst loss in franchise history for the Warriors after winning 11 of their last 13 coming into Sunday. Lestor Quinones led the team with 17 off the bench and Moses Moody was the only starter to reach double-digit scoring with 11 points for Golden State -- that dropped to 32-28.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The game was tied at 21 with 6:05 left in the opening quarter before the Celtics used a 23-1 spurt to close out the first, sparked by three-straight made 3s by Brown -- who had 19 points in the period. The lead only grew for the home team by 35 late in the second.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By the break, Boston was shooting 60% from the floor and were 15-of-24 on 3-pointers with 20 assists and only one turnover, while ahead by 44 points (82-38) -- which was a franchise record after closing the first half on a 61-17 run.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">C's coach Joe Mazzulla pulled his starters at the 7:33 mark in the third quarter after leading 99-48 that eventually turned into a 56-point whooping -- the largest margin of the game.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"Boston was amazing. We weren't beating them today," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said in his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o2NreggnGs" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame presser</span></b></a>. "This was not a day off for Steph, though he probably could have used one. He's played so well and for so long this year, hopefully the next few days he'll get it recharged."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics (48-12) head out on the road to Cleveland and face the Cavaliers (39-21) Tuesday night. </div></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fTM3FJ1Cb_Q?si=PRETKeZAAgXz8gE3" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<b>Game Notes:</b>
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<br />Boston was 55.2% from the field, including 51% from 3, while the Warriors were held to 39.1% from the floor and 17.1% from long range. The Celtics handed out 35 assists (seven turnovers) on 53 baskets and Golden State had 24 dimes (17 turnovers) on 36 made shots.<div><br /></div><div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-55329713754959921322024-03-03T18:44:00.000-05:002024-03-03T18:44:10.916-05:00Causeway Street Podcast - Is Kristaps Porzingis the NBA's best third option?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutd0z9BP_muzrTiN_73XFXwN6YcAGcYL67SU6BVNUZ82SjeEYAM4ifP_NXLLFRHIh7YuEm038gnGAIiS5sXWHA-7X_nnQm0l3uDANDet-V4xvEm_MNk-aZwCaUIF7O7srqkb3MiL-1OfZlKtzqFU06vhXprQ5RSi6h35MwJceb4_zktpieoAlnkA714w/s1276/CSP%20333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1276" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutd0z9BP_muzrTiN_73XFXwN6YcAGcYL67SU6BVNUZ82SjeEYAM4ifP_NXLLFRHIh7YuEm038gnGAIiS5sXWHA-7X_nnQm0l3uDANDet-V4xvEm_MNk-aZwCaUIF7O7srqkb3MiL-1OfZlKtzqFU06vhXprQ5RSi6h35MwJceb4_zktpieoAlnkA714w/w400-h225/CSP%20333.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We reveal the first half of our yearly Top-25 NBA Players list. Plus, we discuss if Kristaps Porzingis is the best third option in the league and much more. Tune in below to Episode 333 of the Causeway Street Podcast!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><p></p><iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=NSM8795439793" width="100%"></iframe>
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Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-45087802803655422642024-03-01T23:46:00.167-05:002024-03-04T10:11:15.704-05:00Celtics 138, Mavericks 110: Jayson Tatum leads C's past Luka Doncic, Dallas in 10th straight win<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBHOKg544-bv5T2VlPVDbsF_SbrSsbWsgabkO0N2D7Dj_5nEFebygfD67GTDKP-Rn6SO4ZdFVKbvgzoXxYFydA8CcxIxBvnCQiKTR0dkWsSI8oFsMOWRv33cpJ3GbX65iORGYFg5AXXWSj8SpjdJcpy-zkxFQShNpCTZcAcodTM3eQ6r0AcBlFhllNpc/s768/IMG_7238.WEBP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBHOKg544-bv5T2VlPVDbsF_SbrSsbWsgabkO0N2D7Dj_5nEFebygfD67GTDKP-Rn6SO4ZdFVKbvgzoXxYFydA8CcxIxBvnCQiKTR0dkWsSI8oFsMOWRv33cpJ3GbX65iORGYFg5AXXWSj8SpjdJcpy-zkxFQShNpCTZcAcodTM3eQ6r0AcBlFhllNpc/w400-h225/IMG_7238.WEBP" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 138-110 at TD Garden Friday night to win their 10th straight.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a>Jayson Tatum continued his campaign for <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/brad-stevens-weighs-in-on-jayson-tatums.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">league MVP</span></b></a> by pouring in 32 points on 10-of-19 shooting (5-of-9 from deep) and grabbing eight rebounds. <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/jaylen-brown-on-celtics-looking-at.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jaylen Brown</span></b></a> added 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Kristaps Porzingis netted 24 points on 8-of-14 from the field and 4-of-8 from 3 to help Boston improve to 47-12.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was another balanced scoring game for the home team as seven C's players reached double-digit scoring.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"We've progressed, understanding every night is going to look different," Tatum said in his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niBGe3sEIsc" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame comments</span></b></a>. "If it calls for me to essentially pass the ball eight possessions in a row, because that's the right read, then you have to trust that that's what's going to help us win the game."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Luka Doncic recorded his 12th triple-double of the season with 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Kyrie Irving added 19 points, while P.J. Washington had 17 points and rookie Dereck Lively chipped in 15 points for Dallas, who dropped to 34-26.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics hit seven 3-pointers and led by as many as 12 to open the game, despite Tatum scoring only two points on a pair of made free throws in the final 18 seconds of the first quarter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston took a 66-59 advantage into the half before the Mavs got within two (81-79) midway through the third. The C's responded with a 21-11 run and Tatum dropped 16 points to end the period.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the end, Dallas was outscored 36-20 in the final frame and never got any closer than 12 points.</div><blockquote>"We know if we play the game the right way, there's a lot of options out there," Brown <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSPkEBqdvko" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">told reporters</span></b></a>. "We're confident in the game plan and we're confident in our ability to read the game. And we've been doing that pretty much all year."</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics will take the NBA's longest win streak into another matchup against the Golden State Warriors (32-27) on Sunday afternoon. <b><i>ABC</i></b> has the tip-off from the Garden at 3:30 pm ET. </div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F4L-8typXAE?si=GKPo_VA_eEQYuDav" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<b>Game Notes:</b>
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<br />Boston was 55.3% from the field, including 21-of-43 (48.8%) from 3-point range, while the Mavericks were 46.8% from the floor and 9-of-34 (26.5%) from long range. The Celtics out-rebounded the visiting team 47-42 and also outscored them in the paint 62-60. The C's dished out 33 assists (nine turnovers) on 52 baskets and Dallas had 20 dimes (eight turnovers) on 44 made shots.<div><br /></div><div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of The Associated Press</i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-91712003247321473022024-02-29T16:45:00.216-05:002024-03-01T18:57:26.914-05:00Brad Stevens weighs in on Jayson Tatum's MVP conversation<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9SieIL2blJFViSlC_5f5oPLKYiOlTbaBU5Cz8jYI1Al26ZkdJ16R0bpMCwu5hkjpv3LvRG1fhQjGN_OX_vzl7s4Nh1MUr7fIJDeEnBkWwIlsT7h_-3bPPFEL1q8g3QPFDpLik46I73lIET95JjtA7k_YF4lp-P8qw1z4224xsYyGXacCMjUFtdsP1x4/s1200/IMG_7220.WEBP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9SieIL2blJFViSlC_5f5oPLKYiOlTbaBU5Cz8jYI1Al26ZkdJ16R0bpMCwu5hkjpv3LvRG1fhQjGN_OX_vzl7s4Nh1MUr7fIJDeEnBkWwIlsT7h_-3bPPFEL1q8g3QPFDpLik46I73lIET95JjtA7k_YF4lp-P8qw1z4224xsYyGXacCMjUFtdsP1x4/w400-h225/IMG_7220.WEBP" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jayson Tatum being in MVP conversations has not died down much since All-Star weekend, when it comes to the forward's credintals. With the national media putting in their two cents on the Celtics' star be deserving of the award or not, it has sparked quite the debate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a>On Wednesday, Brad Stevens weighed in on Tatum's MVP candadacy in an interview with <b><i>WEEI</i></b>'s <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/dale-keefe/celtics-president-of-basketball-ops-brad-stevens-o" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Gresh and Fauria</span></b></a>.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"Jayson has been a stud ever since he came into the league," Stevens said. "Obviously, you knew that it was going to be a path of growth that he was going to take because he takes care of himself. He has a routine. He works really hard. You know, all of those types of things. He should be in any conversation. Listen, there are great players all over the league. And, like I've said when I voted for All-Star stuff when I was coaching, the winning part really matters."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Tatum, fresh off of being two assists shy of a triple-double, as he finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and eight dimes in the <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/celtics-117-76ers-99-jaylen-brown.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">C's latest victory</span></b></a> over the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday -- it's just another example of team-first basketball by the five-time All-Star and his all-around game thus far.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Still, for Stevens he views it as some sort of punishment for the early success Tatum has had during his seven-year career. The Celtics president of basketball operations also throws <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/jaylen-brown-on-celtics-looking-at.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jaylen Brown</span></b></a> into that boat as well for the same criticism they have both have recieved throughout their time in Boston.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"Because of how far they've been, there's going to be more scrutiny. There's going to be more eyes and all the stuff that comes with that. That's just part of it," Stevens said. "So, if he's held to a different standard, it's because he set the bar for it."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Despite the standard Tatum is held to or not, the Celtics star is having another elite season averaging 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest -- while his team happens to own the league's best record at 46-12 (an eight-game lead for the top spot in the East).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was just last week that Tatum said he hoped MVP "<a href="voters are smart enough to understand the dynamic'" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">voters are smart enough</span></b></a>" to understand the dynamic of the Celtics this year when his name is taken into consideration.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, in the same presser and for what feels like most of the season, Tatum can't stress enough that winning MVP -- though a great accolade to add to his resume -- it's not at the top of the list for what he wants to accomplish this year and that is winning his first NBA title.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While the topic is great water cooler talk, Stevens also knows what it would mean to Tatum's legacy as a Celtic to lead and raise the franchise's 18th championship banner -- which has been an even more important subject of conversation within the oranization these days.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"This is a huge talking point outside of our building, [but] it's not a huge talking point in our building. We're very focused on just trying to get better. We all want to be the last team standing. We all know there's a lot in front of us to do that. He'd be the first to tell you, and I don't pay attention to everything he says in the media, but I'm guessing that he would be the first to tell you that for him, it's about winning in June."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">In the meantime, the soon to be 26-year-old and the rest of the Celtics have an eventful start to the month of March ahead of them -- including matchups against the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Clevend Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns (twice in less withn a week span) just to name a few. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With the next several games set to be nationally televised, look for Tatum to be under a microscope to prove if he's "MVP worthy" within the national media or not as the Celtics remain focused on themselves come down this regular season strecth and into the playoffs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<br /><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-42674057275234174122024-02-28T14:51:00.005-05:002024-03-04T10:12:06.968-05:00Celtics 117, 76ers 99: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum combine for 60 to hold off Philly at home<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-e1z-3SLtTkhjJrfl1NuMO686yHDzll7LpiYeVH6XQEzpObc7eEECBoJ7jmCryNr2ZxcoVKl8XI4JDVnH_wiH-53Ecff6zDZZ0J_rpb4L0jcp9nzHQ4vPm-_0YHaW2VUry44Q0Bk76I1R_S8jbmvqcf-4kGxHjvl3M1wXS_ZMjuJ9ikh6ZKm0sD2dMU/s1520/IMG_7196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-e1z-3SLtTkhjJrfl1NuMO686yHDzll7LpiYeVH6XQEzpObc7eEECBoJ7jmCryNr2ZxcoVKl8XI4JDVnH_wiH-53Ecff6zDZZ0J_rpb4L0jcp9nzHQ4vPm-_0YHaW2VUry44Q0Bk76I1R_S8jbmvqcf-4kGxHjvl3M1wXS_ZMjuJ9ikh6ZKm0sD2dMU/w400-h225/IMG_7196.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics (46-12) dominated the Philadelphia 76ers (33-25) 117-99 at TD Garden Tuesday night to extend their win streak to nine games.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>Boston's All-Star duo </span>combining for 60 points, proved to be too much for the undermanned Sixers, as <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/jaylen-brown-on-celtics-looking-at.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jaylen Brown</span></b></a> led the team with 31 points (11-of-14 shooting), while Jayson Tatum added 29 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Kristaps Porzingis (5-of-12) also dropped 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the C's, who have a 7.5-game lead in the East.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While the victory wasn't pretty throughout, the Celtics made sure to use their past experiences to not only improve their play in the second half but throughout the season.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div>"I think we've done a really good job of going over those situations in practice, watching film, and recognize in real time when we're doing something we're not supposed to,” said Tatum in his <a href="https://x.com/nbcsceltics/status/1762675693106696197?s=46" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame interview</span></b></a> with <b><i>NBC Sports</i></b>' Abby Chinn.</div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Tyrese Maxey led the Joel Embiid-less 76ers with 32 points (12-of-24), while Ricky Council IV chipped in 16 points off the bench for Philly -- which has now dropped four of their last five outings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Quiet for the majority of the game offensively, Tatum made his presence felt with a thunderous slam late in the fourth quarter that led to an eruption of the Garden faithful. He would follow it up with a big steal on the 76ers' next possession, finishing an easy dunk on the other end to officially seal Philadelphia's fate with 2:36 left to play as part of a 22-4 run.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston struggled defensively to start this one, allowing Buddy Hield to get going early with two 3-pointers on Philly's first two possessions. However, that changed quickly, with <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/celtics-players-begged-blake-griffin-to.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Derrick White</span></b></a> (six points, six rebounds, and six assists) setting the tone on defense with his three first-quarter blocks -- including a swat on back-to-back possessions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Even with Boston's five first-quarter blocks, the 76ers continued to stay aggressive against the Celtics' struggling defense led by Tyrese Maxey's 12 points in the period. Tatum, who made an emphasis to facilitate early with his five assists in the opening frame, needed some more help offensively from his teammates.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics would respond with an 8-0 spurt following Philly's seven unanswered points to start the second. Boston failed to build off the momentum, as the 76ers kept it close, heading into intermission only trailing by two (53-51). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With nine first-half turnovers, the Celtics gave Philadelphia plenty of opportunities to get out in transition and disrupt Boston's half-court defense. As the team's leading scorer with 12 points alone in the second quarter, Brown was the C's lone offensive threat as their other starters combined for only 20 points -- with Tatum accounting for 12 of those.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Joe Mazzulla credited his team for flipping the script offensively in the second half and getting back to their style of basketball after only 11 3-point attempts in the first 24 minutes and hitting two of them.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"I thought in the first half we were unorganized a little bit on the offensive end, got some empty possessions, some turnovers, and they controlled the shot margin. I thought in the second half we did a great job of just getting to our spots, playing with some physicality on our drives and we controlled the shot margin," said coach Mazzulla in his postgame comments.</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div>The Celtics went on a 13-0 run to push them to a double-digit lead to start the third frame, while also forcing Philly to miss their first seven shot attempts. A 33-point quarter (Porzingis' 12 points and Brown's seven) helped sustain an 86-75 advantage heading into the fourth, despite 12 points from Maxey.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Boston got in trouble early in the fourth allowing the 76ers to go on an 11-3 run to start the final period without Maxey on the floor. Cam Payne (13 points) made two of Philadelphia's three straight 3-pointers to cut their deficit to two (91-89) with 8:50 remaining. </div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily for Boston, Tatum caught fire, scoring nine of his 15 fourth-quarter points through the first seven minutes of the period.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The Celtics pulled away with some key plays down the stretch from their stars. White sprinting up the floor, dished it out to a wide-open Brown on the right wing, where he knocked down his only trey of the night. With a 3-point "chef's kiss" following the shot, Brown knew the game was under control, and the Celtics didn't look back. </div><div><br /></div><div>Needing to respond to the 76ers' late push, Boston knew it needed to settle down and match the intensity on both ends to get the job done. </div><blockquote><div>"Just respond to their run, it's bound to happen throughout a game. It's all about how you respond. It's usually about getting good to great shots, picking up your intensity on the defensive end, and try to limit what they're doing on the offensive end," said Tatum.</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics will host the Dallas Mavericks (33-25) on Friday night, as <b><i>ESPN</i></b> has the tip-off at 7:30 pm ET.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>
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<b>Game Notes:</b>
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<br /><div>Boston held the 76ers to 39.4% from the field, including 33.3% (14-of-42) from 3-point range, while knocking down 52.7% of their shots and 5-of-22 (22.7%) from long distance. The Celtics dominated Philadelphia on the boards, with a 56-28 advantage, and outscored them in the paint 64-42.</div><div><br /></div><div>The C's also got to the line often, making 34-of-37 from the charity stripe, while holding the Sixers to only 11-of-12 free throw attempts.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div><b><i>Ian </i></b><i><b>Carrano</b></i><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-99790369808248682024-02-27T18:11:00.212-05:002024-02-28T13:37:25.440-05:00Celtics players 'begged' Blake Griffin to return for one more run this season<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FA4i-_XRLVE2oN1huznk3fpQWjIRm0FHyOsQHKoI7ojSnZ3F4r-8j9n_v3tpFTNh1QHItKJfjq3Up64u6mKdt-0UZU8vH229wzuSevFwsa5AfiwGusDcgMCe19YZJ4NcVUngivXNLGwWwIw9xPL8z-Ifdcnz0t-3t-npe5fyT4mHJL05YjVOdTT2Z_M/s1024/IMG_7178.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FA4i-_XRLVE2oN1huznk3fpQWjIRm0FHyOsQHKoI7ojSnZ3F4r-8j9n_v3tpFTNh1QHItKJfjq3Up64u6mKdt-0UZU8vH229wzuSevFwsa5AfiwGusDcgMCe19YZJ4NcVUngivXNLGwWwIw9xPL8z-Ifdcnz0t-3t-npe5fyT4mHJL05YjVOdTT2Z_M/w400-h225/IMG_7178.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics have a 7.5-game lead at the top of the Eastern Conference, while riding a season-high win streak of eight straight following their <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/celtics-116-knicks-102-jaylen-brown.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">116-102 victory</span></b></a> over the Knicks Saturday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a>Boston has also added two more potential rotational pieces in big man <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/celtics-reportedly-trade-for-big-man.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Xavier Tillman</span></b></a> and young guard <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/trade-deadline-celtics-add-jaden.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Jaden Springer</span></b></a> as reinforements at the trade deadline with one open roster spot still up for grabs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On a recent episode of <b><i>Barstool</i></b>'s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=TgiKTUJjloE&ab_channel=PardonMyTake" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Pardon My Take Podcast</span></b></a>, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard spoke about what it was like playing with former All-Star Blake Griffin, to which the Celtics teammates both answered in unison, "The best."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Griffin, who hasn't played an NBA game since last year, stepped away from the game -- in what may be <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/30/sports/sunday-basketball-notes/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">considered retirement</span></b></a> -- to spend more time with his family.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In his lone season with the Celtics, the 13-year veteran put up 4.1 points on 48.5% shooting from the field and 34.8% from the 3-point line in 41 games -- which included 16 starts for an average of 13.9 minutes per contest.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"Obviously, Blake's probably one of the best teammates all of us have ever had," White said. "Any time you have him around, it's great, but I feel like it's his decision and we respect that. We all just love having him around."</div></blockquote><blockquote>"I think the whole team is begging him to come back to Boston," White added on wanting Griffin to rejoin the Celtics.</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Pritchard even admitted that he texts Griffin every few weeks while continuously asking him when will he return to the team.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"I texted him actually a week ago or two jokingly being like, 'Coming back for one last ride?' He says he's enjoying his life," Pritchard said.</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Apparently during the Celtics trip out west in December, several members of the team reached out to Griffin on a possible return, including coach Joe Mazzulla.</div><blockquote>"I talked to him one or two times when we were in LA, but when he told me at the end of last season that his family was the most important thing, I stopped talking to him about it," Mazzulla said Monday in his post-practice presser. "I know what it's like to be away from your kids and your family. He's always going to make that decision and what's best for him."</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Still, it didn't stop Pardon My Take host Dan Katz from making one last-ditch effort to court Griffin by calling the soon-to-be 35-year-old directly during the episode with White and Pritchard present -- to which he deflected the question of possibly coming back to Boston.</div><blockquote>"We talk quite a bit," Griffin said of his fomer C's teammates. "I'm just enjoying my life right now guys."</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">While the recruitment of Griffin has somewhat failed thus far, the former Celtics forward did reveal who he'll be rooting for as there are 25 games left in the regular season before a potential deep playoff run that hopefully spans into June and with the hoisting of the Larry O'Brien trophy.</div><blockquote>"They're my favorites," Griffin said of the Celtics' title chances. "I don't guarantee, I don't want to put bad juju on them but they are the heavy favorites in my mind." </blockquote><div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of Getty Images</i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-34755345067401104992024-02-26T11:14:00.190-05:002024-02-27T15:59:50.442-05:00Jaylen Brown on Celtics looking at standings: 'None of that stuff really matters'<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOqq3HqWzNLKfm1Ng4arRLB0hBMIOiiGnCzxSnDPs1xZVbVwBKNvw6eIRSHSJCkG1UBpgKJ0nLDk8HE4UbV9qSm4A3xkvQboaZ6dqOAeYeduTNWh85yR62QKEUwa6SiDviZGRAbMQ3pQdHRWNOPA-A_csNyEgqWnXMYCHfAxUrmEsQdSrT96LG3JuQAc/s1284/7D8376F2-87E5-4B83-805D-978423BAC43E.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1284" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOqq3HqWzNLKfm1Ng4arRLB0hBMIOiiGnCzxSnDPs1xZVbVwBKNvw6eIRSHSJCkG1UBpgKJ0nLDk8HE4UbV9qSm4A3xkvQboaZ6dqOAeYeduTNWh85yR62QKEUwa6SiDviZGRAbMQ3pQdHRWNOPA-A_csNyEgqWnXMYCHfAxUrmEsQdSrT96LG3JuQAc/w400-h225/7D8376F2-87E5-4B83-805D-978423BAC43E.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics have won a season-high eight straight following their <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/celtics-116-knicks-102-jaylen-brown.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">116-102 victory</span></b></a> over the New York Knicks Saturday night.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>Boston is a league-best 45-12, with a 7.5-game lead over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference and five games ahead for the best record overall in the association.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>But don't think the C's are concerned at all with watching the standings, at least according to Jaylen Brown -- who says he and his teammates haven't been paying much attention to where other teams are, as it doesn't have much barring on the postseason outside of homecourt advantage.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span>"When it comes down to the playoffs, none of that stuff really matters," Brown said his postgame comments of the Celtics in the standings. "I feel like it's going to be about matchups, it's going to be about playing hard. Obviously, home court matters, so that is key, but when you get into the thick of it, you got to win basketball games, regardless of what your seed is.</span></blockquote><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"If anything, it puts more pressure on you. But I think we're an experienced team. We've been in these situations before, and I think we're ready."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Brown finished with a team-high 30 points (20 of which came in the first half), taking full advantage of mismatches against the Knicks -- hitting 13-of-24 from the field. Despite the Celtics' defense clamping down on New York in the second half, as the home team scored only 44 points on 38.5% shooting from the floor, Brown believes there could have been better defense played from the start.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"I think we can be even better on defense," Brown said. "I think we gave up a lot of points tonight. They should have had around 88 [points]. That was just some mistakes that we made that, in the playoffs and stuff like that, you don't want to make. Teams get on runs, so we can guard a lot better than we did tonight."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">With the playoffs two months away and the Celtics continuing to separate in the standings, veteran Al Horford echoed Brown's sentiment and also how coach Joe Mazzulla strives for improvements despite the team's current record.</div><blockquote>"I can just speak to we're continuing to play good basketball," Horford <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1q5b5nJnKg" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">told reporters</span></b></a>. "We're really trying to play the right way. I feel like Joe is really challenging us to continue to get better. This is the stretch of the season where we can really take it to another level, and that's what we're trying to do."</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">While the Celtics own the league's best offensive rating at 121.2 and the third-best defensive rating at 110.7, Horford was asked what a better version of the team would look like.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"That's a really good question," Horford responded, "but I feel like we're not where we need to be yet, and that's a good thing."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics will look to stretch their win streak to nine when they return home to TD Garden and host the Philadelphia 76ers (33-24) on Tuesday night. <b><i>TNT</i></b> has the tip-off at 7:30 pm ET. </div></div>
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<div><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of The Associated Press</i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-52562329057543783052024-02-25T10:39:00.171-05:002024-02-26T17:17:00.644-05:00Celtics 116, Knicks 102: Jaylen Brown drops 30 in Boston's eighth consecutive victory<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi17Dn8md1qse80DJetkEq3k4W6S0eKyIkZaYjWA-bAEo9yqqJqMtDQveym53wdssY1d_z-g1nVkFgkHvDgcjPj1OqpEG_eNojqd0X-ptSQupt7JF6XcOX_sWr5sWbW4db8g-x7ZrfxPqoJvD2AqUeDCVCnKKwCwTtx2MmAJWYZseX9uqPCqE6o3jhxmA/s1284/4A779B8E-EBD1-455B-B795-35770A2CDF4F.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1284" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi17Dn8md1qse80DJetkEq3k4W6S0eKyIkZaYjWA-bAEo9yqqJqMtDQveym53wdssY1d_z-g1nVkFgkHvDgcjPj1OqpEG_eNojqd0X-ptSQupt7JF6XcOX_sWr5sWbW4db8g-x7ZrfxPqoJvD2AqUeDCVCnKKwCwTtx2MmAJWYZseX9uqPCqE6o3jhxmA/w400-h225/4A779B8E-EBD1-455B-B795-35770A2CDF4F.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics keep rolling, as they beat the New York Knicks 116-102 at Madison Square Garden Saturday night to win their eighth straight.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><a name='more'></a>Jaylen Brown finished with 30 points on 13-of-24 from the field and eight rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting to help the C's improve to a league-best 45-12 record.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Jayson Tatum only took 15 attempts and made seven of them to register 19 points, six assists and <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/why-derrick-white-says-2023-24-celtics.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Derrick White</span></b></a> chipped in 13 points and also handed out six dimes in the four-game season sweep of the Knicks.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span>"I thought today was a beautiful display of basketball from Jayson," Mazzula said of Tatum. "It won't go into the most valuable category, but his ability to control the game with his pick-and-roll pace, his pick-and-roll passing, his defense. He put himself on [Jalen] Brunson, welcoming 2-on-1s and creating for others was great. My hats off to him for knowing that's a way for us to win."</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">All-Star Jalen Brunson had a game-high 34 points on 12-of-25 from the floor, and nine assists while Josh Hart recorded 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists for the Knicks -- who dropped to 34-23.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boston had a 62-58 advantage coming out of halftime before using a 30-11 run in the third quarter and never looked back after the Knicks only trailed 67-66 with 9:00 left in the period.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tatum and Porzingis buried five of the team's eight 3-pointers to push the lead to as many as 20 in that span, which drew loud "Let's go Celtics" chants from visiting fans -- followed by boos from the Knicks faithful.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div>"I prefer any kind of emotion over no emotion," Porzingis told reporters, as he was booed by Knicks fans during player intros. "If it's cheers or boos, I want them, tonight was no different. Big game, [national] TV game, fans were into it and we just took care of business."</div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">New York went on a 13-2 spurt starting at the 1:22 mark of the third quarter that bled into the final frame and got within nine (99-90) -- but that would be the closest they'd get the rest of the way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Celtics return home to face the Philadelphia 76ers (33-24) on Tuesday night at TD Garden. <b><i>TNT</i></b> has the top-off at 7:30 pm ET.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>
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Game Notes:
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<br />Boston hit 56.8% from the field, including 15-of-35 (42.9%) from 3-point range, while the Knicks were 45.1% from the floor and 13-of-38 (34.2%) from deep. The Celtics were out-rebounded 39-36 but did outscore the home team 58-38 in the paint. The C's handed out 27 assists (seven turnovers) on 46 baskets to New York's 21 dimes (14 turnovers) on 37 made shots.
<div><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><b>Joel </b></i><i><b>Pavón</b></i><div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of The Associated Press</i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8333240299302539421.post-22272688859759193322024-02-24T15:18:00.271-05:002024-02-26T18:46:50.636-05:00Jayson Tatum hopes MVP 'voters are smart enough to understand the dynamic' of Celtics<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwzCTXXuhR7EVqh3fp9Y1DCE7ywZd6zq0LBWIlOcQf3qHdLIZ96hPMFVYx3QElfFXeNz44sYlqXcqEAAA-WuJDrLF-xB4m0oFzzA-5id26ZYyLS-lVShn_bkD7JrfyRffo6xhfEwHgDLVRooUzcsY2PbfSSMWhhVJDtROsa74S2Hvl-zroO-c78n1jHM/s1015/IMG_7167.WEBP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="1015" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwzCTXXuhR7EVqh3fp9Y1DCE7ywZd6zq0LBWIlOcQf3qHdLIZ96hPMFVYx3QElfFXeNz44sYlqXcqEAAA-WuJDrLF-xB4m0oFzzA-5id26ZYyLS-lVShn_bkD7JrfyRffo6xhfEwHgDLVRooUzcsY2PbfSSMWhhVJDtROsa74S2Hvl-zroO-c78n1jHM/w400-h225/IMG_7167.WEBP" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror and as teams buckle down for playoff positioning, the discussion for league MVP is starting to heat up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a>Jayson Tatum, fresh off his <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/east-211-west-186-jaylen-brown-goes-for.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">fifth All-Star appearance</span></b></a>, has been mentioned among the likes of Luka Doncic of the Mavericks, Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets, and the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just to name a few in the Most Valuable Player debate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just this past week, Tatum called himself the best player in the NBA during a recent interview with <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/jayson-tatum-says-this-years-celtics.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><i>ESPN</i>'s Malika Andrews</span></b></a>, sparking even more than usual MVP talks amidst the national media.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Following the Celtics' <a href="https://www.causewaystreet.com/2024/02/celtics-129-bulls-112-derrick-white.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">129-112 victory</span></b></a> over the Bulls on the road, Tatum further explained his stance on the race for MVP and what voters should understand when it comes to being considered for the year-end award.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"Those guys are putting up ridiculous numbers every night and doing a lot for their team. I have no problem with those guys being the leaders of the MVP race," Tatum told reporters Thursday night. "I wasn't saying that I needed to be first. I just had a problem with some people on TV saying that the reason why I won't win this year is because of something that happened two years ago."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Tatum, who referenced his lack-luster performance in the 2022 NBA Finals, is leading the Celtics this season with averages of 27.1 points on nearly 48% shooting from the field to go along with 8.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest so far.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, the Celtics are a league-best 44-12 and have a 7.5-game lead over the second-place Cavaliers for the best record in the Eastern Conference.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, Tatum did mentioned that given Boston's talented roster and not always being the team's leading scorer every night -- such was the case in their win against the Bulls -- the hope is that voters take that into account when comes time to making their choice.</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"I won't have the points per game that the other three or four guys will," Tatum said. "But I think the voters are smart enough to understand the dynamic of our team, essentially having to do less scoring maybe on certain nights, but still impact the game in a lot of ways to ensure that we win every single night, that we're in first place, that we're trying to be the best team, that everybody on the team feels valued, right?</div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">"That's not just about me. Because I'm gonna need everybody down the stretch; we're gonna need each other for what we're trying to do, to try to win a championship."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, Tatum's head coach Joe Mazulla answered an emphatic "Yes," when asked if his star forward was deserving of being named leaue MVP.</div><blockquote><div>"I mean, I think, one, defining what most valuable means. It's not just about scoring. It's the ability to have sustainable success, the ability to make people around you better, and the ability to be great," Mazzulla elabotated during his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imf7JgZNBnk" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">postgame comments</span></b></a>. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div>"He's done it for a long time and I think is underrated in that conversation, and it's something that, I think he's doing a great job of reshaping what it means to be the best player. And he does it every night. He does it differently. You've really got to watch the games and understand how he has an impact on himself and his teammates."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">With 26 games left down the stretch of the regular season, the Celtics are on pace to win well over 60 games as they seek to raise their first championship banner since 2008. Whether Tatum's MVP chances increase within the next few weeks or not, the team's focus and goal still remains the same and that may be more vauable in the eyes of the soon to be 26-year-old. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Photo used courtesy of The Associated Press</i></b></span></div><div></div></div></div>Joel Pavónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18374990860736979299noreply@blogger.com0