We’ll forgive him for traveling on the play, but only because no one believed the Celtics would be where they are this season.
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Boston would go into half down 46-43 as Utah scored 30 points in the paint and 15 second chance points through two quarters, compared to the Celtics’ 20 points in the paint and just three second chance points. From afar, as he scouts for possible talent to add to Boston’s young roster in June’s draft, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge had faith Bradley would make the late-game stop.
“We were down the entire game and we kept chipping away, chipping away, and we were able to execute at the end of the game, and that’s what it came down to”, guard Avery Bradley said after his key blocked shot and three free throws increased the streak.
Said Bradley: “I was on (guard Rodney) Hood, but coach (Brad Stevens said to get) on Hayward to get a stop, and I was able to”. Shots, layups, dunks, free throws, etc they’re all unique and special.
The Boston Celtics play their third of 5 straight home games tonight at the TD Garden when they host the Utah Jazz at 7:30 p.m. “It made it really hard for us on the offensive end”.
Coach Quin Snyder summed up the game against the Nets by saying, “If we had effort, it was sporadic”, but he isn’t overly concerned about his team regrouping.
“I thought Jordan gave us a great lift with that (backup) group”, Stevens said. “It was a good play”.
“He’s a big shot-maker and has been for a long time”, Stevens said of Mack. Shelvin Mack added 18 points.
Stevens may have a record of 100-124 in three seasons in Boston, but he has already garnered high praise from his peers and players around the league.
Trey Lyles had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz, who have dropped three in a row.
The Jazz opened up a 13-point lead in the early stages of the second quarter thanks in part to seven straight points by Lyles who scored seven straight points to open the second quarter.
But after Boston forgot to bring its defense out west in an ugly national TV loss to Utah earlier this month, the Celtics recovered by leaning on their defense Monday night.
“No, but I am happy we got the win”, Bradley said. I don’t know. We were in pretty good position, obviously. “Both teams playing very maturely”. Utah F Trevor Booker missed the game to attend his grandmother’s funeral in SC.
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Although the Utah Jazz now sit within a half-game of the Houston Rockets for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference playoff picture, one can’t help but feel like their playoff window is in danger of closing.
