POST GAME INDY - AWAY

Celtics Wrap: Terry Rozier’s Steal, Layup Lifts Boston To Stunning Win

NESN by Adam London on Mon, Dec 18, 2017 at 9:45PM

Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good. The Boston Celtics were the beneficiaries of this adage Monday night, as miraculous late-game magic saved the C’s from an embarrassing loss to the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Field House. Boston jumped out to a 19-point lead in the first quarter, but Indiana hung tough and slowly but surely chipped away at the deficit before taking the lead late in the fourth quarter.

The Pacers seemingly had the comeback win all but wrapped up with 10 seconds left, but a shocking steal and layup from Terry Rozier lifted the C’s to a wild 112-111 win. Kyrie Irving (30 points) and Al Horford (14 points, 10 rebounds nine assists) were two of five Celtics to score in double figures. Victor Oladipo posted a game-high 38 points, but his stellar performance ultimately wasn’t enough to lift the Pacers to a win. With the loss, the Celtics fall to 26-7, while the Pacers improve to 17-14. Here’s how it all went down:

STARTING FIVE PG: Kyrie Irving SG: Jaylen Brown SF: Jayson Tatum PF: Al Horford C: Aron Baynes

HOT START IN THE HOOSIER STATE The Celtics certainly did not look sluggish to start their third game in four nights. Boston held a 38-21 lead after one quarter, thanks in large part to a 70-percent shooting mark in the opening 12 minutes. In fact, the C’s connected on their first 10 shots from the field, as a Brown rimmed-out 3-point attempt eight minutes into the game marked their first miss. Brown did, however, pace the Celtics in first-quarter points with 10, while Irving wasn’t far behind with nine. The Pacers posted a lackluster 39-percent shooting mark and logged no assists in the opening frame.

BACK TO EARTH Boston only could register out-of-this-world numbers for so long, as it returned back to reality in the second quarter. Indiana improved on the offensive end, as it rallied to cut the deficit to nine, but the C’s managed to take a 62-47 lead into the break. After only one turnover in the first quarter, the Celtics gave the ball away six times in the second, which allowed the Pacers to chip away at the lead. Still, Boston had four players score in double figures in the first half, including Marcus Smart, who knocked down his first four 3-point attempts in the first two quarters. Irving led all scorers at halftime with 14 points.

OLADIPO TO THE RESCUE The Pacers flirted with a comeback in the second quarter, but the home team really put on the pressure in the third. Thanks in large part to 16 third-quarter points from Oladipo, Indiana cut Boston’s lead to 85-78 heading into the final frame. Boston once again was rather careless with the basketball, committing eight turnovers in the third, one more than its first-half total. Irving led the Celtics with eight third-quarter points, but none of his teammates scored more than five in the frame.

CRUNCH-TIME CHAOS Indiana hung tough throughout the final quarter, and managed to even the score at 100-100 on an Oladipo and-1 layup with less than two minutes remaining. Oladipo followed up his game-tying play with a go-ahead 3-pointer with 53 seconds left, marking the Pacers’ first lead of the game. The teams would go back and forth in the final minute, and Irving kept Boston’s hopes alive with 3-pointer to bring it within one 10 seconds to go. The Pacers had a chance to ice the game with free throws, but Rozier managed to steal an errant pass, drive to the hole and give the Celtics the lead. Indiana still had a chance with one last heave, but the desperation attempt rimmed out to preserve Boston’s win.

PLAY OF THE GAME Rozier Island?

UP NEXT The Celtics return to TD Garden on Wednesday night for a matchup with the Miami Heat. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Celtics avoid meltdown, edge Pacers in final seconds, 112-111

NBC SPORTS BOSTON By A. Sherrod Blakely December 18, 2017 9:32 PM

The Boston Celtics seem to be come up with different ways to win, and you can add one more to the list.

Terry Rozier came up with a steal and subsequent dunk with 1.6 seconds to play that lifted Boston to a 112-111 win.

“We never gave up. We never thought we were going to lose the game,” Rozier told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin following the win.

"We got fortunate. Terry made a great play," said Boston head coach Brad Stevens.

Rozier’s late-game heroics highlighted a night that truly belonged to the guards.

Kyrie Irving led a last-second charge in which the Celtics outscored the Pacers 10-4 in the final 31.3 seconds.

Irving led the Celtics with 30 points, including a late 3-pointer that brought the Celtics within 111-110 with 9.3 seconds to play.

But the big scorer of the night was Oladipo who had a game-high 38 points, 16 of which came in the fourth quarter.

Boston opened the fourth quarter with a five-man group of Rozier, Shane Larkin, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Daniel Theis that has not played a ton together this season (six minutes total, according to nba.com/stats, prior to tonight’s game). But they have a defensive rating of 27.3 and an offensive rating of 139.9 – both impressive statistics.

Different Celtics stepped up, including their much-maligned bench which had a number of players chip in during the latter stages of the fourth quarter.

Larkin made important baskets.

Theis grabbed key rebounds.

Rozier and Marcus Smart were each playing strong defense in addition to chipping in timely shots.

The Pacers eventually made it a one-possession game, 100-97, after a jumper by Domantas Sabonis with 2:16 to play.

And Oladipo converted a 3-point play that tied the game at 100 with 1:52 to play – the closest the Pacers had been since the opening tip-off.

Oladipo drained a go-ahead 3-pointer with 52.2 seconds to play that capped off a 12-2 Pacers run but even more important, gave them a 105-102 lead.

For the second time in as many games, the Boston came clicking offensively. They opened up Monday’s game with a 23-10 run fueled by the Celtics making their first 10 shots from the field. Boston continued to control the action and led 38-21 after the first quarter.

And just like they dominated the first quarter for the second game in a row, Boston found itself struggling for long stretches in the second.

Trailing by double digits most of the first quarter, Indiana got Boston’s lead down to single digits with an 11-3 run capped off by a Thaddeus Young hook shot which led to a Celtics time-out with 4:22 to play in the second and Boston’s lead down to 50-41.

But the Celtics regrouped and went on a 12-6 run a basket from Jaylen Brown that put Boston ahead 62-47 at the half.

Boston’s grip on the game began to loosen up in the third quarter as the Pacers’ defense started creating transition baskets that fueled a 10-1 run that cut Boston’s lead down to 74-68 which led to Brad Stevens calling a time-out with 3:45 to play in the third. The Celtics closed out the third with an 85-78 lead.

112288

I still can’t believe it!!!!!

cowens/oldschool wrote:I still can’t believe it!!!!!

It was unbelievable. Horford was 1 assist shy for a triple double.

The Celtics for sure are doing a high - wire act this season. Again they dominate for the first quarter, ease up and just win the 2nd quarter and then lose the 3rd by a wide margin and 4th quarter as well.

The wire is getting thinner and thinner by each game until it will snap. Danny and Stevens obviously see this as well, so it will be interesting to see what they come up with to steady the ship. Haywood would help of course but I think there are other flaws that are now showing themselves that need correction.

112288

Oladipo was largely unstoppable. 38 points is some serious heat.

It also didn't help that, down the stretch, the C's made untimely boneheaded plays.


KJ

bobheckler wrote:Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA

about 18 minutes ago

Horford on piggy back ride from all of Australia: “I just saw Baynes there and said ,’Take me back to the locker room.’ It was very emotional."
reply retweet like


https://twitter.com/ESPNForsberg/status/942954376280371200/video/1




bob



.

That is awesome!

Great win, but the referees in this game were a disgrace. Pacers shot 38 FT and made 30, the Celtics shot 14 and made 8.

That 22 ft difference was only the third time since 2000 that Celtics have won a game with the opponent made 22 more free throws.

Not sure if it is Brad Stevens being so low key, if it is their aggressive style and refs assume they are fouling when they are not. But there is NO WAY one of the best defensive teams in the NBA should see this kind of discrepancy.

Brad Stevens experiments a lot. When it looked over, someone said in Brad we trust.

Irving hit the clutch shots. I see this game as nothing but a positive. Horford said it was emotional. It's growing pains as Cowens called it.

Brown had an absolutely miserable game. Smart became Evan Turnover but his shooting was a great sign. He launched that first three from 26 feet, Bob thought. It was way back. His next shot looked forced. It seemed the game plan was expect Marcus to get a lot of shots or he was yet again not scared. I'd be terrified shooting if I was him. I'm already thinking Tatum is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. Brown has to figure out his handle and free throw shooting to enter that conversation.

Semi looked better. Larkin was good again. Yeah, it's annoying they cough up leads, but making up five points in 30 seconds you gotta give them the benefit of the doubt.

The Celtics always get better as the year goes. That makes it more fun. Brown will explode in a subsequent game and this one will be forgotten. If Smart gets back to better pg skills, all these turnovers can be looked at as a mere bump in the road. He had excellent form on his shooting. He should practice, practice, practice. Same with Jaylen Brown and his free throws. The handle part, I don't know how that works. Bradley got a lot better ball handling, so Jaylen probably will too. Yeah, it's growing pains. If Brown had a little better game and Smart a few less turnovers, that's an easy non-emotional win. But it got crazy and became an instant classic.

"Bogdonavic departed without speaking with the media."

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2017/12/18/3-takeaways-pacers-lose-heartbreaker-celtics/960739001/

112288 wrote:Celtics Wrap: Terry Rozier’s Steal, Layup Lifts Boston To Stunning Win

NESN by Adam London on Mon, Dec 18, 2017 at 9:45PM

Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good. The Boston Celtics were the beneficiaries of this adage Monday night, as miraculous late-game magic saved the C’s from an embarrassing loss to the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Field House. Boston jumped out to a 19-point lead in the first quarter, but Indiana hung tough and slowly but surely chipped away at the deficit before taking the lead late in the fourth quarter.

The Pacers seemingly had the comeback win all but wrapped up with 10 seconds left, but a shocking steal and layup from Terry Rozier lifted the C’s to a wild 112-111 win. Kyrie Irving (30 points) and Al Horford (14 points, 10 rebounds nine assists) were two of five Celtics to score in double figures. Victor Oladipo posted a game-high 38 points, but his stellar performance ultimately wasn’t enough to lift the Pacers to a win. With the loss, the Celtics fall to 26-7, while the Pacers improve to 17-14. Here’s how it all went down:

STARTING FIVE PG: Kyrie Irving SG: Jaylen Brown SF: Jayson Tatum PF: Al Horford C: Aron Baynes

HOT START IN THE HOOSIER STATE The Celtics certainly did not look sluggish to start their third game in four nights. Boston held a 38-21 lead after one quarter, thanks in large part to a 70-percent shooting mark in the opening 12 minutes. In fact, the C’s connected on their first 10 shots from the field, as a Brown rimmed-out 3-point attempt eight minutes into the game marked their first miss. Brown did, however, pace the Celtics in first-quarter points with 10, while Irving wasn’t far behind with nine. The Pacers posted a lackluster 39-percent shooting mark and logged no assists in the opening frame.

BACK TO EARTH Boston only could register out-of-this-world numbers for so long, as it returned back to reality in the second quarter. Indiana improved on the offensive end, as it rallied to cut the deficit to nine, but the C’s managed to take a 62-47 lead into the break. After only one turnover in the first quarter, the Celtics gave the ball away six times in the second, which allowed the Pacers to chip away at the lead. Still, Boston had four players score in double figures in the first half, including Marcus Smart, who knocked down his first four 3-point attempts in the first two quarters. Irving led all scorers at halftime with 14 points.

OLADIPO TO THE RESCUE The Pacers flirted with a comeback in the second quarter, but the home team really put on the pressure in the third. Thanks in large part to 16 third-quarter points from Oladipo, Indiana cut Boston’s lead to 85-78 heading into the final frame. Boston once again was rather careless with the basketball, committing eight turnovers in the third, one more than its first-half total. Irving led the Celtics with eight third-quarter points, but none of his teammates scored more than five in the frame.

CRUNCH-TIME CHAOS Indiana hung tough throughout the final quarter, and managed to even the score at 100-100 on an Oladipo and-1 layup with less than two minutes remaining. Oladipo followed up his game-tying play with a go-ahead 3-pointer with 53 seconds left, marking the Pacers’ first lead of the game. The teams would go back and forth in the final minute, and Irving kept Boston’s hopes alive with 3-pointer to bring it within one 10 seconds to go. The Pacers had a chance to ice the game with free throws, but Rozier managed to steal an errant pass, drive to the hole and give the Celtics the lead. Indiana still had a chance with one last heave, but the desperation attempt rimmed out to preserve Boston’s win.

PLAY OF THE GAME Rozier Island?

UP NEXT The Celtics return to TD Garden on Wednesday night for a matchup with the Miami Heat. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Celtics avoid meltdown, edge Pacers in final seconds, 112-111

NBC SPORTS BOSTON By A. Sherrod Blakely December 18, 2017 9:32 PM

The Boston Celtics seem to be come up with different ways to win, and you can add one more to the list.

Terry Rozier came up with a steal and subsequent dunk with 1.6 seconds to play that lifted Boston to a 112-111 win.

“We never gave up. We never thought we were going to lose the game,” Rozier told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin following the win.

"We got fortunate. Terry made a great play," said Boston head coach Brad Stevens.

Rozier’s late-game heroics highlighted a night that truly belonged to the guards.

Kyrie Irving led a last-second charge in which the Celtics outscored the Pacers 10-4 in the final 31.3 seconds.

Irving led the Celtics with 30 points, including a late 3-pointer that brought the Celtics within 111-110 with 9.3 seconds to play.

But the big scorer of the night was Oladipo who had a game-high 38 points, 16 of which came in the fourth quarter.

Boston opened the fourth quarter with a five-man group of Rozier, Shane Larkin, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Daniel Theis that has not played a ton together this season (six minutes total, according to nba.com/stats, prior to tonight’s game). But they have a defensive rating of 27.3 and an offensive rating of 139.9 – both impressive statistics.

Different Celtics stepped up, including their much-maligned bench which had a number of players chip in during the latter stages of the fourth quarter.

Larkin made important baskets.

Theis grabbed key rebounds.

Rozier and Marcus Smart were each playing strong defense in addition to chipping in timely shots.

The Pacers eventually made it a one-possession game, 100-97, after a jumper by Domantas Sabonis with 2:16 to play.

And Oladipo converted a 3-point play that tied the game at 100 with 1:52 to play – the closest the Pacers had been since the opening tip-off.

Oladipo drained a go-ahead 3-pointer with 52.2 seconds to play that capped off a 12-2 Pacers run but even more important, gave them a 105-102 lead.

For the second time in as many games, the Boston came clicking offensively. They opened up Monday’s game with a 23-10 run fueled by the Celtics making their first 10 shots from the field. Boston continued to control the action and led 38-21 after the first quarter.

And just like they dominated the first quarter for the second game in a row, Boston found itself struggling for long stretches in the second.

Trailing by double digits most of the first quarter, Indiana got Boston’s lead down to single digits with an 11-3 run capped off by a Thaddeus Young hook shot which led to a Celtics time-out with 4:22 to play in the second and Boston’s lead down to 50-41.

But the Celtics regrouped and went on a 12-6 run a basket from Jaylen Brown that put Boston ahead 62-47 at the half.

Boston’s grip on the game began to loosen up in the third quarter as the Pacers’ defense started creating transition baskets that fueled a 10-1 run that cut Boston’s lead down to 74-68 which led to Brad Stevens calling a time-out with 3:45 to play in the third. The Celtics closed out the third with an 85-78 lead.

112288

"With the loss, the Celtics fall to 26-7, while the Pacers improve to 17-14. Here’s how it all went down:"

I guess it felt like a loss for most of the fourth quarter so the writer could be given some slack but this mistake is pretty ridiculous.

I'm going to say something that probably will not be very popular among some board members, but I am sick and tired of watching Kyrie playing hero ball during the last 3-4 minutes of the game.

It's dribble, dribble, dribble shoot, dribble, dribble, dribble shoot, dribble, dribble, dribble shoot. He almost NEVER passes the ball to a teammate. How did we get up by 19 points in the first half - by sweet ball movement.

I know Kyrie is a great talent and he made two clutch threes at the end of the game but one (if not two, I'm not sure of the first one) was a catch and shoot off a screen - not off his dribble.

BB is a team game and Kyrie should remember that he has 4 other teammates on the floor - some of them also very skilled.

Berlin-T

Berlin-T wrote:I'm going to say something that probably will not be very popular among some board members, but I am sick and tired of watching Kyrie playing hero ball during the last 3-4 minutes of the game.

It's dribble, dribble, dribble shoot, dribble, dribble, dribble shoot, dribble, dribble, dribble shoot. He almost NEVER passes the ball to a teammate. How did we get up by 19 points in the first half - by sweet ball movement.

I know Kyrie is a great talent and he made two clutch threes at the end of the game but one (if not two, I'm not sure of the first one) was a catch and shoot off a screen - not off his dribble.

BB is a team game and Kyrie should remember that he has 4 other teammates on the floor - some of them also very skilled.

Berlin-T

I have no issue and would like to add I’m a little tired of continually seeing the thoughts that we should blow teams out that have poor records.   Losing leads happens. Other teams have good players too.  Momentum swings happen almost every game and we have been fortunate enough to have had either the longest most or last run to many of these games.   

We are still a very young team.  

It’s quite obvious that the best for us is still a ways down the road.

beat

Berlin-T wrote:I'm going to say something that probably will not be very popular among some board members, but I am sick and tired of watching Kyrie playing hero ball during the last 3-4 minutes of the game.

It's dribble, dribble, dribble shoot, dribble, dribble, dribble shoot, dribble, dribble, dribble shoot. He almost NEVER passes the ball to a teammate. How did we get up by 19 points in the first half - by sweet ball movement.

I know Kyrie is a great talent and he made two clutch threes at the end of the game but one (if not two, I'm not sure of the first one) was a catch and shoot off a screen - not off his dribble.

BB is a team game and Kyrie should remember that he has 4 other teammates on the floor - some of them also very skilled.

Berlin-T

I agree that it isn't the prettiest basketball - but if we have one shot for a win - I want Kyrie taking it, not Smart or Rozier or even Tatum. The last 3 or 4 minutes of a game is money time. I have no problem limiting who gets touches down the stretch in close games.

Kyrie is the closer here, period. His success rate on the biggest stage has earned him the right to do what he thinks is right in the 4th.

Berlin T raises a good point about hero ball by Irving in closing minutes of games.

My question is how did the team get to the point in a game to have Irving play hero ball?

I my opinion we lose mental focus both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for long periods during a game.

We take stupid forced shots instead of team ball and we lose our edge from our lock down defense that allows us to create early leads.

112288

I am going to call this one a signature game.

The Celtics snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory and then snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat. It was a most memorable comeback.

This game will go a long way in cementing the mindset of this team to truly believe they can overcome any obstacle even those that are self inflicted.

It was a shocking win for them.

What should the Celtics do to get Jason Tatum 12 shots per game? His shot making abilities demands more looks.

dboss

Sadly, these great come back wins are occurring all too often during this year.

This is not a good sign for us long term.

112288

I'm sorry I missed the end of the game. I've been using Bob's link and besides all the threats from porn sites and who knows whatelse, the feed stops on a regular basis and I have to reboot. Guess what happened with less than 30 seconds to go? LOL

It's true that good teams will lose leads to bad teams. But because that statement is true doesn't mean that it should happen on a regular basis. This team has issues/flaws and denying that won't make the situation better. Let's not get fooled by the fact that Boston has been called the team with the best defense. Or that I have said we will get to the finals this season. Or because Brad is such a good coach.

I don't really call what Kyrie does heroball. It's not the same way that IT played when heroball was necessary to get the win. And he doesn't do it for the entire game. What I call it is breaking down the Defense. He does continue to pass but when the ball end up back in his hands with the clock running down he does his best. Yes, it can and should be cleaned up. But I've never seen anyone who can handle the ball the way he does. Even when it breaks down and he looses his dribble, he somehow recovers and makes it look like this was his plan all along.

I like Theis. Game in and game out he puts up solid but unspectacular numbers. He is becoming our consummate role player. So far its been mostly good D and scoring on putbacks or off the p and r. But he is starting to look for his outside shot and he has one based on previous performance in the Bundesliga. How much upside does DT have? I don't know. But I bet he can get a whole lot better and more productive and I hope that he gets the chance to prove just what he can do.

TRo you might want to start considering retirement. Sure, you may still end up a starter in the NBA but I doubt you will ever top last nights great play to end the game. You will forever be linked with John and Larry for stealing the ball. Times like this I really miss hearing Johnny's broadcast.

Good and Bad and Inconsistency. Those are the traits of this team right now. Wait, did I forget to mention the Leprechaun?  Lucky is back. No, not that Lucky. I mean the real one.

ps. just saw Bob's post and want to add this. Jaylen's game has improved dramatically over last season. His handle is much better and yet still has a ways to go. His shot is much better yet still has a ways to go. But his fritos have not improved. But he often misses the front end and swishes the next attempt. He is a work in progress and his progress has been amazing. He works hard and I guarantee that he will be a much better player next year. It's all good with JB and me.

beat wrote:

Berlin-T wrote:I'm going to say something that probably will not be very popular among some board members, but I am sick and tired of watching Kyrie playing hero ball during the last 3-4 minutes of the game.

It's dribble, dribble, dribble shoot, dribble, dribble, dribble shoot, dribble, dribble, dribble shoot. He almost NEVER passes the ball to a teammate. How did we get up by 19 points in the first half - by sweet ball movement.

I know Kyrie is a great talent and he made two clutch threes at the end of the game but one (if not two, I'm not sure of the first one) was a catch and shoot off a screen - not off his dribble.

BB is a team game and Kyrie should remember that he has 4 other teammates on the floor - some of them also very skilled.

Berlin-T

I have no issue and would like to add I’m a little tired of continually seeing the thoughts that we should blow teams out that have poor records.   Losing leads happens. Other teams have good players too.  Momentum swings happen almost every game and we have been fortunate enough to have had either the longest most or last run to many of these games.   

We are still a very young team.  

It’s quite obvious that the best for us is still a ways down the road.

beat

+1
Kyrie is THE "go to guy" and I have no problem with him having the ball and taking the shot at the end of games - that's why the C's traded for him. He does things on the court that are creative and unimaginable. It's as if he's playing chess while the defenders are playing checkers - 2 moves ahead of everyone else and he's shown that he has the talent to do it. As with any creative people, you need to give them the space, the opportunity to explore and exploit their talents.

With the composition of the current roster I don't see the C's overpowering many teams for easy blowout games, if at all. They aren't an offensive juggernaut like GS or Houston who can run other teams off the court with their shooting prowess alone. The C's rely on their proactive defense and hustle to stay competitive, which is more their signature identity.

They are still missing another "go to guy" (Hayward) and/or another big. Baines is good for 15-20 minutes and as was alluded to in another post, maybe it was dboss, Baines was/is over-matched against fleeter and more agile bigs. As in football, there are players who are used to fill a specific need at specific situations. Baines is like that special team's player. He fills a need to match-up with other Goliath like power bigs, not as effective against the mobile bigs. With Morris' playing status up in the air, maybe Theis can fulfill that void with more PT as he is still adjusting to the NBA. But he seems to be matriculating well with limited PT so far.

bobheckler wrote:The final thrilling half minute...

Rozier's steal is at the 7:00 mark (31.3 seconds of game, 7+ minutes real time).  Look at how far he comes to make the steal.  He is at the frito line when the pass is thrown and the interception is 2-3' inside the half court line.






bob


.

Credit should also go to Larkin, who's defensive leaping ability, all 5'10" of him, forced the pass to be a vulnerable lob and be intercepted.