POST GAME - SAC - AWAY

Celtics Wrap: Boston Uses Second-Half Surge To Down Kings 104-93

NESN by Joshua Schrock on Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 8:09PM

Terry Rozier keeps coming up big for the Boston Celtics. The 24-year-old has been thrust into the starting role in Kyrie Irving’s absence and has not shied away from the moment. Rozier once again came up big Sunday, scoring a career-high 33 points to lead the Celtics past the Sacramento Kings 104-93. Rozier got help from Jaylen Brown (19 points), Al Horford (14 points) and Jayson Tatum (12 points) who all scored in double figure. Boston trailed at halftime despite shooting 60 percent from the field, but a third-quarter takeover by Rozier gave the C’s the lead, and they held off the hard-charging Kings to earn another West Coast win. The Celtics improve to 50-23, while the Kings fall to 24-50. Here’s how it all went down:

STARTING FIVE PG: Terry Rozier SG: Jaylen Brown SF: Jayson Tatum PF: Al Horford C: Aron Baynes ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION The Celtics got some good news prior to the game Sunday, as it was announced that Brown would return to the lineup after missing a number of games with a concussion. Unfortunately, Marcus Morris was ruled out with an ankle injury, but head coach Brad Stevens said he could return Monday against the Suns.

TURNOVER HAPPY Boston started the game shooting 55 percent from the field, but trailed after one quarter due to six turnovers. Brown looked out sorts in his first quarter back, as he picked up three fouls in the opening frame. Rozier led the Celtics with eight points in the frame, while De’Aaron Fox paced the Kings with eight points of his own.

THE BUDDY SHOW Sacramento extended its lead in the second frame thanks to an explosion from Buddy Hield off the bench. The Oklahoma product finished the first half going 6-for-8 from the field for 14 points. Hield’s hot shooting gave the Kings a 60-52 lead at the break despite Boston shooting 61.8 percent from the floor and 60 percent from 3-point land in the half. Rozier led the C’s with 14 points in the half while Tatum added 12.

BOSTON BURST The C’s continued their hot shooting to start the third quarter, going on a 10-4 run to pull within two. Rozier then drained a 3-pointer to give Boston its first lead since the first quarter at 65-64. Tatum, Brown and Rozier, who hit three triples in a two-minute period, carried the Celtics throughout the period, helping grow Boston’s lead to eight with five minutes remaining. Boston, however, went three minutes without a field goal toward the end of the frame, letting the Kings cut the lead to four with three minutes remaining. The two teams traded blows to end the frame, with a Vince Carter fadeaway jumper cutting the lead to 80-78 after three. Rozier led all scorers with 23 points after three, while Hield was Sacramento’s high man with 14

GAME OVER The Kings continued to fight in the fourth quarter, as a Frank Mason jumper cut the lead to two with 6:27 left. But Sacramento would get no closer, as the C’s responded with a 9-0 run, capped by a Horford trey that gave Boston a 97-86 lead and sank the Kings.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME Get your fire extinguishers out.

UP NEXT The Celtics will take the floor again Monday when they face the Phoenix Suns. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m.

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It's weird.  We haven't won in Sacramento in 7 years.  When you consider that includes a few years with Pierce and KG that's really amazing.  So, when do we finally break that streak and win?  When we're fielding a team so impacted by injuries we're playing our 15th man.  Just goes to show, "on any given night", so play hard every night and good things can happen.

Rozier was on another planet.  He now owns this year's record for most 3pt fgm in a game, 8, and could have tied IT for most by a Celtic all-time with 9.  He was unaware of that record and said after the game that if he had known he would have taken 5 more.  He also had 5 rebounds and 5 steals.  Danny's phone has run for TRo before.  It's going to be jumping off the hook non-stop as we approach the draft and GMs want to make trades that include players (I know, nobody has a phone that is on a hook it can jump off of anymore).

Abby Chin @tvabby
yesterday
Per the great Dick Lipe: Terry Rozier is the first player in NBA history to have 33 points, 8 3-pointers, 5 steals and 5 rebounds in a game. #Celtics


Jaylen with a solid comeback, although he was very rusty in the beginning with turnovers.  All 4 of his turnovers happened in the 1st quarter, as did all 3 of his personal fouls.  He went 6-6 from the line and his season-to-date average is up to 63%.  Still sucks, but solid improvement since the ASG.  Welcome back.  We missed you and we need you.  A few dunks made his mama upset.

Monroe with a WTF!? 2-10 night.  An aberration, I'm sure, but hard to explain.  8 rebounds helped a lot.

Heading into last night's game Jayson Tatum needed 22 points to be the 9th player in the Celtics' 1K Club.  GYSO informed me they are Celtic rookies who score at least 1000 points in their rookie year.  He scored 12 last night, so he needs 10 tonight.  Can you name the 8 Celtic rookies who are already in the 1K Club?

With 9 games left the Magic Number to secure the #2 playoff spot is 4.  Feeling a little bit better today than I did last week.

http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400975845













bob



.

Great to see Jaylen back in the lineup and producing right away. Only one of those dunks had a real risk factor due to hanging on the rim. One of the most important things for a young, and very athletic player, to learn is self control. Use his athleticism, not flaunt it.

TRo is starting to make a believer out of me. He's just one of those players who has so much determination, that he can play way beyond what one would expect. He's an excellent example of why Brad is so good. While I may not prefer his style of play, Brad has put him in position to use his skill set and succeed on a personal level while helping his team to win.

I was really hoping to make the game tonight in Phoenix but alas there just isn't room on this Senior's fixed income. Mebbe next year. But fortunately I get to watch the game on local TV.

Now that Jalen is back, Jayson is playing better after hitting the wall, and all the rest of the team is doing what is necessary to win, I feel real good about the team getting to the second round when it may be possible for Kyrie and Mahcus to return. If that does indeed happen, then we are right back on track for a return to the Conference Finals where 'ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE"!

It's still

#17goingon18

for me!

The Celtics also own the record with 18 come from behind wins this year which is the most in the NBA.

Terry is averaging 17 per game in March.

Jaylen Brown has figured out how to knock down his free throws.  He now has a chance to be a big time scorer.  

Tatum continues to play well.  

Credit to coach Stevens for extracting impressive play from an amazing number of young players.

Also I thought that the joint statements from the Teams on the recent killing of the 22 year old young man was well done.

Looking forward to the game tonight with the Suns.

I think Rozier has put any questions about his value and ability to rest.

NYCelt wrote:I think Rozier has put any questions about his value and ability to rest.

The challenge for Danny is to find a way to keep both Smart and Rozier. The Celtics may have to dip their toe into the luxury tax pool but in 2 years when Al's salary is off the books they should be better able to sustain their youthful roster.

If none of the teams with Cap are willing to drive up the price for Marcus the Celtics can pretty much dictate what they are willing to pay him. The Celtics may also want to extend Rozier this summer. He is blowing up big time and by next year his value is very likely to go way up.

Luxury tax is simply inevitable. If you want to win, you have to spend.


KJ

dboss wrote:

NYCelt wrote:I think Rozier has put any questions about his value and ability to rest.

The challenge for Danny is to find a way to keep both Smart and Rozier.  The Celtics may have to dip their toe into the  luxury tax pool but in 2 years when Al's salary is off the books they should be better able to sustain their youthful roster.  

If none of the teams with Cap are willing to drive up the price for Marcus the Celtics can pretty much dictate what they are willing to pay him.  The Celtics may also want to extend Rozier this summer.  He is blowing up big time and by next year his value is very likely to go way up.

dboss,

I would love to see Smart and Rozier return, but I'm among those that expect at least one to depart. Looking at what the team needs to do in order to be a top contender, I'm afraid some of our young players that are building serious value will need to be moved. Hate to see it if it comes to pass, but I also think it's the logical and necessary path.

Regards

k_j_88 wrote:Luxury tax is simply inevitable. If you want to win, you have to spend.


KJ

KJ,

No doubt in my mind that you are correct.

Regards

DANNY HAS A BIG DECISION................WHO DOES HE TRADE..........IRVING OR THE CHEAPER ROZIER????????

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!

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