The Boston Celtics kicked off their Sunday afternoon game with a hot start and held on for a thrilling 107-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The victory was a testament to Boston’s resilience and firepower, though it came with a mix of standout performances and areas for improvement.
Here’s a breakdown of three studs and one dud from the Celtics’ latest triumph:
STUDS
1. Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown came out firing on all cylinders, setting the tone early with a spectacular first quarter. The Celtics star drained his first five three-point attempts, amassing 15 points in less than four minutes.
Brown’s scoring barrage laid the foundation for Boston’s offense, which shot a respectable 37.5% from beyond the arc for the game. He stayed clutch throughout, finishing with 29 points and delivering a dagger three-pointer to put the Celtics up by five in the final two minutes.
Highlight: Brown’s ability to heat up quickly provided Boston with the spark they needed to weather Minnesota’s comeback attempts.
2. Jayson Tatum
Tatum complemented Brown’s brilliance with a well-rounded performance. The Celtics’ go-to star tallied 26 points on 5-of-12 shooting from deep, showcasing his scoring versatility. Additionally, his eight rebounds contributed to Boston’s effort on the glass, and his leadership shone in key moments.
Tatum’s steady presence on both ends of the court proved vital, as he maintained a plus-seven rating in a tightly contested matchup.
Highlight: Tatum’s poise from beyond the arc and ability to create offense helped the Celtics maintain their edge.
3. Celtics’ Bench Energy
While Brown and Tatum carried the scoring load, the Celtics’ bench brought energy and defensive grit. Key reserves provided timely stops and hustle plays, helping Boston survive a late Minnesota rally. The contributions, though not reflected in flashy box scores, were critical in maintaining momentum.
Highlight: The Celtics’ depth continues to be an asset in close games.
DUD
Celtics’ Closing Execution
While the Celtics secured the win, their execution in the final moments left room for improvement. Allowing Minnesota a clean look at the buzzer, courtesy of Naz Reid, highlighted defensive lapses under pressure.
Additionally, turnovers and rushed offensive decisions in the final minutes nearly cost Boston the game. These issues will need addressing as the Celtics aim to maintain their status as championship contenders.
Lowlight: The near-miss at the buzzer underscores the need for sharper late-game focus.
Takeaway
The Celtics’ stars shone brightly, particularly Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, in a hard-fought win that extended Boston’s home dominance over Minnesota to 18 straight games. However, the team’s late-game execution remains a concern as they aim for sustained success this season.
Boston’s depth and resilience continue to fuel their strong start, but they’ll need to tighten up in crunch time to fend off tougher challenges down the road.
