Joe Mazzulla has emphasised the significance for the Celtics to have a constant mindset this season. No matter the circumstances, he desires the Celtics to carry the identical focus, vitality and dedication for each sport.
The circumstances weren’t best on Wednesday night time in Sacramento. They had been lacking Jayson Tatum and Al Horford. Less than 24 hours after an exhausting time beyond regulation loss to the Warriors, they needed to play the second leg of a back-to-back, shorthanded towards Kings staff that likes to run.
Challenge accepted, and achieved. The Celtics, as soon as once more, responded. They didn’t make excuses. They showcased the psychological toughness that has been constant by way of the primary third of the season. They placed on an offensive clinic, and didn’t let off the fuel in considered one of their most spectacular performances of the season, a convincing 144-119 rout over the Kings.
Without Tatum and Horford, the Celtics had loads of firepower. Five gamers scored in double figures. Derrick White placed on a masterclass with 28 factors and 7 assists. Jaylen Brown scored 28 factors with six assists. Kristaps Porzingis was dominant on each ends with 24 factors and 6 blocks. Jrue Holiday had a close to triple-double with 21 factors, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
The Celtics began scorching and couldn’t be stopped, ending with 22 3-pointers that included six every from White and Payton Pritchard.
An evening after they blew a 17-point result in the Warriors, the Celtics took management within the third quarter and didn’t look again. Led by Porzingis, who scored 9 factors within the first 5 minutes of the interval, the Celtics went on a 22-6 run. They led by 28 when Brown threw down one of the thunderous dunks of his profession.
De’Aaron Fox scored 29 factors for the Kings, however 26 got here within the first half. The Kings began scorching, main by 12 within the first quarter as they hit 11 3-pointers within the opening interval. But the Celtics punched again with an early 13-0 run and stored pushing with hustle performs and scorching shot-making to construct a double-digit benefit within the first half. They punched once more within the third quarter and the Kings by no means answered them.
Source: www.bostonherald.com