The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers have been each lacking key items Wednesday night time as a mixed 9 rotation gamers sat out the competition.
The Celtics nonetheless had by far the 2 finest gamers on the ground in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, however Boston obtained a elevate from its supporting solid to take down the shorthanded Clippers, who have been lacking James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
It was means more durable than it was speculated to be for the Celtics, who have been with out Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Jrue Vacation, however they overcame a collapse late within the fourth quarter to tug out a 117-113 time beyond regulation win over the Clippers at Intuit Dome. Boston is now 31-13 whereas the Clippers slipped to24-19.
Listed here are three studs and three duds from a hard-fought win for the Celtics:
STUDS
Jaden Springer
Springer most likely isn’t the title Celtics followers anticipated to be main this checklist, particularly since he didn’t examine into the sport till 4:18 left within the third quarter. However Springer made a direct and immense impression on the defensive finish and Joe Mazzulla caught with him for all however one minute of the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation. Springer cooled off the Clippers offense — particularly Kevin Porter Jr. — by recording 4 steals. Springer additionally knocked down an enormous 3-pointer with 34.4 seconds left within the additional body to provide the Celtics a five-point lead. Springer totaled eight factors and two rebounds in 20 minutes.
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Neemias Queta
It wasn’t an ideal efficiency from Queta, however he chipped in with the Celtics having restricted frontcourt personnel. Queta tallied 11 factors and 4 rebounds off the bench and offered robust inside protection. Queta put the ending touches on the win when he confirmed persistence and scored the ultimate basket of time beyond regulation.
Derrick Jones Jr.
Jones definitely made essentially the most of his minutes with L.A.’s stars sidelined. Jones netted a season-high 29 factors — his earlier excessive on the marketing campaign was 20 — and was an environment friendly 12-for-20 capturing from the sphere. He additionally delivered within the massive moments for the Clippers and added seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
DUDS
Payton Pritchard
Pritchard has terrific vary, however he took a number of ill-advised pictures that harm Boston’s offense. It resulted within the Celtics guard capturing simply 4-for-11 from the sphere, together with an abysmal 1-for-7 mark from 3-point vary. Pritchard completed with 9 factors and likewise had three turnovers.
Jaylen Brown
The Celtics would have gained in regulation, however Brown obtained in the best way. He dedicated a dreadful turnover within the offensive finish with the Celtics up by two within the closing second. He made an errant go proper to Derrick Jones Jr., who went the size of the ground and leveled the rating with a layup. Brown did hit a key 3-pointer in time beyond regulation and completed with a team-high 25 factors and 6 assists, however Brown’s turnover overshadowed his efficiency. Turnovers are a ordinary downside from Brown, who had 5 of them within the win.
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Baylor Scheierman
Mazzulla tried to provide Scheierman an opportunity by giving him some minutes within the first half. However the rookie simply doesn’t appear to be he belongs on an NBA court docket in the intervening time. Scheierman performed simply six minutes and missed each of the pictures he took from past the arc. It’s clear he wants extra seasoning within the G League.
