The Boston Celtics secured a hard-fought 108-96 victory over the Washington Wizards in their NBA Cup pool play matchup on Friday night. This win marks Boston’s second consecutive victory and improves their record to 2-1 in the NBA Cup.
Despite entering the game as heavy favorites against a Wizards team struggling with nine straight losses, the Celtics faced an uphill battle early on. The Wizards managed to build an 11-point lead in the first half, capitalizing on poor shooting from Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who combined to hit just 3-of-23 from beyond the arc. Nonetheless, Brown, with a game-high 31 points and 11 rebounds, made an impact inside the three-point line, helping the Celtics stay competitive.
While Brown and Tatum struggled with their shooting throughout the match, the Celtics’ bench stepped up significantly. Sam Hauser delivered a much-needed performance, contributing 13 points, while Payton Pritchard and Luke Kornet also played pivotal roles in maintaining momentum. Derrick White added eight points in the fourth quarter to help Boston secure the win.
A key factor in the game was Boston’s defensive pressure, which resulted in 23 points off 20 turnovers committed by the Wizards.
The victory improved Boston’s overall record to 13-3, and they will return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
Noteworthy points from the game include:
1. **Depth Chart Shifts:** Luke Kornet found himself back in the rotation with Al Horford sidelined due to illness. His solid performance on defense could earn him more playing time moving forward.
2. **Shooting Struggles:** The Celtics’ offense was notably sluggish, particularly in the first half with poor shooting efforts from their key players. However, the efficient contributions from the bench helped alleviate some of these struggles.
3. **NBA Cup Progress:** The win keeps the Celtics’ hopes alive in the NBA Cup pool play, setting up a crucial game next Friday against the Chicago Bulls. To advance, they will need to secure a more substantial victory.
4. **Malcolm Brogdon’s Strong Performance:** Playing against his former team, Brogdon showcased his abilities with a double-double, highlighting his potential trade value as the Wizards look to rebuild.
Overall, while the Celtics faced challenges in their execution, their resilience and depth proved pivotal in overcoming an underperforming Wizards team. Looking ahead, improving their shooting efficiency will be critical for continued success as they strive for deeper playoff contention.