POST GAME PHX - AWAY

Celtics Wrap: Boston Survives Scare Vs. Suns With 102-94 Win

NESN by Joshua Schrock on Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 12:12AM

It looked like it was going to be a blowout Monday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena, but the home team made it interesting. The Boston Celtics came out of the gates hot against the Phoenix Suns, taking a 20-point lead just minutes into the second quarter. But a game that initially looked like it would feature some of Boston’s deep bench players prominently turned into a dogfight, as the Suns fought back to tie the game midway through the third quarter. It wouldn’t be a repeat of the C’s last trip to Phoenix, though. Boston closed the third quarter on a 21-9 run and put the Suns away early in the fourth quarter, winning 102-94. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 23 points and Marcus Morris added 20 before leaving after aggravating his sprained ankle at the end of the third quarter. Rookie Josh Jackson led Phoenix with 23 points. The Celtics improve to 51-23 with the win, while the Suns fall to 19-56. Here’s how it all went down:

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

FAST START Boston didn’t mess around early against the shorthanded Suns who were without Devin Booker and T.J. Warren. The Suns played the C’s tight early in the frame as Jackson scored 12 points in the quarter. But after Jackson cut the C’s lead to 11-9 with seven minutes to play in the period, Boston went off, ending the first on a 20-6 run to take a 31-15 lead into the second quarter. Tatum led the Celtics with nine points, while Rozier and Morris each added seven points.

SUNS SURGE The Celtics’ brilliant first was all for naught, as the Boston’s defense struggled to maintain the intensity and discipline that it showed in the first quarter. The C’s led by 20 with 9:32 remaining in the period, but were outscored 30-9 after that point as Phoenix cut the lead to 48-45 at halftime. Tyler Ulis, Troy Daniels and Jackson led the Suns’ second-quarter surge. The trio combined to score 15 of Phoenix’s 30 points in the frame. Tatum continued to lead Boston with 12 points at the break. Jackson led all scorers with 14 points.

HECTIC THIRD Phoenix finally erased Boston’s 20-point lead when Marquese Chriss drilled a triple to tie the game at 56 with 6:39 left in the third. The C’s punched back, however, going on a 14-3 run to take a 70-59 lead with a 1:33 remaining. The Suns appeared to be able to cut the lead to single digits to end the third, but Daniels fouled Morris on a 3-point attempt at the end of the quarter. The C’s forward hit all three freebies to give Boston a 77-65 lead after three. Morris was Boston’s high-man after three with 20 points, while Tatum added 17. Jackson continued to lead the Suns with 17 of his own.

C’S PUT IT AWAY Boston quickly put the dagger in the Suns in the final stanza. After Ulis cut the lead to eight with two buckets in the lane, Abdel Nader knocked down a triple. Then Horford did the same two possessions later to push the lead to 14. Phoenix continued to battle but was unable to get the deficit under double digits, as the Celtics pulled away for another victory against the Western Conference. HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME Don’t hurt them, Jayson.

UP NEXT Boston will take the floor again Wednesday when they visit the Utah Jazz. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET

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As dboss pointed out on the Game On! thread last night, we are definitely playing with the house's money now!  We got lucky, Devin Booker was out, but I can't feel sorry for them, considering...

Brad and his coaches are doing a magnificent job of making sure that end-of-bench players are ready, and able, to step up.

Tatum vs Jackson.  Nice duel.  Both ended up with almost identical boxscores, the difference being that Tatum had teammates who were helping him more.  I was listening to the Phoenix feed (or maybe that's the NBA TV feed for that night) and the color guy was saying that Boston wanted Jackson but Phoenix got him.  Huh?  Tatum was taken #3 and Jackson was #4.  If Danny wanted Jackson he could have taken him.  Personally, I'm glad he took Tatum, you don't even hear Josh Jackson's name mentioned when people are talking about possible ROY.

Morris re-sprained his ankle last night.  X-rays have come back negative but the fact that they would even think taking x-rays is a reasonable precaution is not good.  Sounds like a minor sprain might have just escalated, although Abby reported Mook walked out of the locker room in sneakers, and not a walking boot, and unworried. Nevertheless, he still scored 20 points in killer fashion in just 23 minutes off the bench. Maybe it's not such a big deal to be a starter after all, huh, Mook?

Tom Halzack @TomHalzack
9 hours ago
Marcus Morris is averaging career high in pts (18) and rebounds (7.5), shot attempts 5.9 per 36 minutes, and 3pt ave (.383) and foul try % (.795).



Jayson Tatum became the 9th Celtic rookie to score 1000 points.  Can you name the other 8?

We shot 48% from 3 last night.  We've been hot from 3 lately.




Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
about 6 hours ago
Three strange but true things about this strange but true Celtics team. They have a better record... * On the road (27-10) than at home (24-13) * Against the West (21- than the East (30-15) * With less rest than their opponent (19-6) than more (10-6) or the same (22-11).


Another weak outing by Monroe. A mini-slump. It will be interesting to see how Brad plays Horford and Monroe vs Quinn Snyder's Gobert and Favors. Monroe is going to have trouble out-muscling Favors and he won't shoot well at the rim vs Gobert. I'm expecting to see Horford taking a lot of outside shots and Brad going small.

Marc D'Amico @celtics
about 9 hours ago
Brad Stevens says Abdel Nader affected the energy of our team tonight with his defense and his effort. Says Nader has done this multiple times in the last week.


The Magic Number to clinch the #2 seed is now 3. It would be nice if Cleveland lost one or two but, with only 8 left, we're still in control of our own destiny. The game vs Utah will be tough. Aside from being a good team they are in a playoff dog-fight. In 7th place they are Just 1/2 game ahead of the nosediving Timberpups and 1 game behind Pop's Spurs for 6th. Winning or losing now might be the difference between playing Houston, GSW or Portland in the 1st round and those are big differences.

http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400975853













bob




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A win, but not the best played game the Cs have had. In fact, somewhat sloppy in many ways, and it is no surprise to listen to Stevens' comments.

Cleveland lost tonight.

The Celtics turned on the switch when they had to.

I knew Morris could score but he has never looked this good.  

Tatum in a duel with Jackson was fun to watch.  Tatum has been playing very well.  

Monroe will not be on the Celtics next year.  He makes Kelly look like a defensive stopper.  Monroe's defense is even worse than advertised.

Monroe is a moose, he is not the quickest, but he is not a rag doll like KO. Monroe’s post up will he huge going forward.