Kawhi (Back Spasms) Is A Last-Minute Scratch Allowing The C's To Win Their Third Straight Game

 

    The Celtics (18-17 overall, 11-5 home) aren't in a position right now to quibble over how they get them, they simply need to accumulate as many wins as possible after their rough month of February bumped them down the Eastern Conference standings. Tonight at TD Garden, they played another tight and memorable game against the Clippers (24-13 overall, 12-7 away) which ended with Boston improving to 2-0 against LA this season thanks to a 117-112 victory. Right before the opening tip-off came word that Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard (back spasms) would miss the contest so obviously that was a huge development for both teams. Shooting guard Paul George (game-high 32 points, 5 rebounds) tried his best to keep LA in it but point guard Kemba Walker (team-high 25 points, 6 assists) and the Celts did just enough to hang on for their third win in a row. 

    Boston swingman Jaylen Brown (18 points, 5 rebounds) suited up after missing Sunday's game vs. Washington (13-20) with soreness in his left knee. His fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum (14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals) was much quieter after carrying the C's against the Wizards. Power forward Tristan Thompson (13 points, 9 rebounds) barely missed another double-double while rookie guard Payton Pritchard (14 points) and center Robert Williams (13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks) were each really good off the bench for the Celtics. BC's Reggie Jackson (25 points, 7 assists) had probably his best game of the season in a losing effort while the ghost of Nicolas Batum (10 points, 5 rebounds) briefly stopped by for LA. Shooting guard Lou Williams scored 12 points off the bench for the Clippers, center Ivica Zubac grabbed 10 rebounds and former Celtic Marcus Morris scored 10 points in the first half but had to miss the second half with a concussion after he was elbowed (not intentionally) by Brown in the back of his head. Ouch. 

    I rarely give out gambling advice but I have to note that this evening was a great time to take the over (222 points) as the C's outscored the Clippers 35-32 in a fast paced first quarter. The defenses both woke up as the game went along with LA taking the second quarter 31-27 for a 63-62 halftime lead. That one-point lead would remain for the visitors heading into the fourth quarter since both clubs put up 26 points in the third quarter. Boston won the all-important final frame 29-23 thanks to some timely shot making, they hit their free throws and Los Angeles' offense mostly went cold. 

    The Celtics were rewarded for their aggressiveness offensively as they took 14 more free throws (23-9) than the Clippers and they made nine more of them (17-8). Boston also did a nice job on the glass with eight more total rebounds (43-35) including four more offensive boards (14-10) and four more defensive boards (29-25). It's not a huge number but Boston had twice as many steals (6-3) as LA. The C's scored 10 more points in the paint (42-32), eight more fast break points (10-2) and eight more points off turnovers (15-7) as the Clippers. 

    With his knee issue, Brown rightfully turned down a spot in the Slam Dunk competition this weekend but both he and Tatum will appear in the 3-point contest. More importantly, the Celtics are scheduled to have one more game before they get almost a week off. Toronto (17-17 overall, 9-10 away) had their game tonight vs. Detroit (9-25 overall, 3-15 away) postponed until Wednesday because of a Covid-19 outbreak on the team: five players including Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet along with head coach Nick Nurse and a bunch of assistants are all out. We'll see if the game with the Pistons happens let alone having the Raptors fly to Boston. Let's say it's not trending well in that direction. Selfishly, it would be nice for the Celts to get that game in now especially if Toronto is in such bad shape. Like most other teams in the NBA, the C's have already dealt with a bunch of its players getting sick so I doubt they would feel much sympathy for the Raptors. PS do you think it has anything to do with Toronto playing all their home games in Florida this season? Hmm, I wonder if that's a possible connection to this mess.

With Jaylen Brown Out, The Celts Pull Off Their Best Win Of The Season-119-115 At The Clippers

 

    I am not predicting that tonight's improbable 119-115 win by the Celtics (12-9 overall, 7-6 away) this evening against the Clippers (17-7 overall, 8-3 home) at Staples Center will serve as a turning point in their season but if nothing else, it shows that they are capable of way more than they have produced lately. I didn't like their chances before the game had even started as shooting guard Jaylen Brown (knee soreness) missed his first contest of the season. Sure, LA was also surprisingly missing one of its stars too-swingman Paul George (foot soreness)-but Brown's absence felt more vital since Boston does not have the depth of the Clippers (what a world where that is actually a fact). Even though it was Friday night, I can't blame anyone for bailing at halftime as the C's were down 62-51 and looked destined to be blown out. However, if you stuck with them, you were treated to their best third quarter of the season (where they outscored Los Angeles 38-20) and they hung on for the key victory. 

    This was not NBA Jam but without Brown and George, the key matchup was obviously Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum (game-high 34 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals) vs. Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard (team-high 28 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists). Judging by not only those numbers but the final outcome, you'd have to say that Tatum won this round against one of the top players in the NBA. Tatum didn't do it alone though as point guard Kemba Walker (24 points) had his best game of the season, guard Carsen Edwards (16 points) was awesome off the bench and kept Boston in contention in the first half when they were wobbly, center Tristan Thompson (7 rebounds) and power forward Grant Williams both started and each scored 11 points apiece while center Robert Williams continued his strong road trip with 10 points off the bench. 

    LA entered with one of the best records in the league and until they choke again in the playoffs (it's so hard to wash that Clippers stink off themselves), they are a formidable opponent. The ghost of Nicolas Batum (16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals) made a rare appearance, guard Luke Kennard (13 points) was productive in his spot start and their bench was great: strip club expert Lou Williams (18 points, 6 assists), center Ivica Zubac (14 points, 6 rebounds) and former Celtics great Marcus Morris (13 points) all scored in double-digits. Despite George's absence, this was a game that the Clippers without question should have won. 

    Things looked good for LA in the beginning as they blitzed the Celtics in the first quarter, outscoring them 33-21 as they barely missed any shots. Thanks to Edwards and the return of guard Payton Pritchard (8 points), Boston bounced back in the second quarter (30-29) to at least make it more competitive. I'm assuming that the Clippers thought they would run away with it in the second half because otherwise, I can't explain their no-show in the third quarter. They were much better in the fourth quarter (33-30 Clips) but it wasn't enough as the C's made just enough free throws and got the requisite defensive stops to hang on. 

    The Celtics had three more steals (8-5), 10 less turnovers (16-6) and they scored a whopping 18 more points (26-8) off turnovers than the Clippers. After losing to the mediocre Kings (10-11) on Wednesday, I genuinely thought that a 1-4 West Coast road trip was about to occur. Boston can ensure that it will be a winning trip with a win on Sunday afternoon (2, NBC Sports Boston) at Phoenix (12-9). Center Daniel Theis left tonight's game early with right knee soreness but it doesn't sound too serious long-term. With point guard Chris Paul now in the desert, the Suns have tons of talent and big things are expected from them this season but thus far, they've been pretty up and down (5-5 in their last 10 games) much like the Celtics. It definitely lacks the electricity of a Chiefs-Buccaneers Super Bowl but it should serve as a fine appetizer before the main sporting course on Sunday night.