The Boston Celtics went into their high-profile matchup with the New York Knicks on Saturday night riding their longest winning streak of the year, continuing a season that has seen them amass an incredible lead over the rest of the league for the top record in the NBA. Despite a close-knit first half, the Celtics went on a tear in the second half, winning 116-102 to extend their winning run to eight games.
With 30 points, Jaylen Brown led the Celtics in scoring while Jayson Tatum (19 points, 7-of-15 shooting) stepped back to allow his teammates shine. Boston’s first five players to score in double figures, including Al Horford off the
Interestingly, Tatum had a quiet first half. He made just two shots in the first quarter of the game and three more in the second, for a total of seven points for the game. It seems like just one more piece of evidence in the continuing discussion about Tatum’s supporting group and how it affects his MVP candidature. However, the Celtics see it as a plus that their franchise player is prepared to step aside when necessary. The role players were playing well and Brown was cooking, so the first half never felt like the Celtics needed a Tatum takeover.
For the most part of the second quarter, there was no movement between the two teams. Brunson produced little as he spent a lot of
The two continued to lead their respective offences in the third quarter, and their rivalry between Brown and Brunson carried over into the second half. By the halfway point of the quarter, their combined score of 25 points tied the game high. However, Boston’s supporting cast made a difference. The game began to tilt in the Celtics’ favour as Tatum increased his level of activity and the starting lineup gave a balanced effort. All five starters scored in double figures tonight, and five Celtics made two or more three-pointers. They led 97-84 going into the fourth quarter, and their lead had grown to 20 points in the third.
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