For the overwhelming majority of NBA groups, taking part in with out 4 catalysts could be a significant trigger for concern.
For the Celtics, it was enterprise as regular Monday night time with Jayson Tatum, Jrue Vacation, Al Horford and Sam Hauser sidelined.
They nonetheless had Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, which by no means hurts. They had been additionally taking part in the Pistons, which made life a smidgen simpler.
Brown racked up 31 factors, 7 rebounds, and three assists, and White added 22 factors, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first profession triple-double, fueling Boston to a 119-94 triumph at TD Backyard. The Celtics (54-14) constructed a 59-46 halftime edge and pulled away from the Pistons (12-56) to increase their lead over the Bucks to a whopping 10 video games with 14 remaining.
Payton Pritchard, White, Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet received the beginning. Porzingis racked up 8 factors and 5 rebounds early earlier than sitting out the remainder of the half as he eases his means again.
Kornet protected the rim, Pritchard (23 factors, 7 assists) attacked the basket and Brown confirmed off his left hand inside, serving to the Celtics construct a 31-28 edge by 1. Boston shot 50 p.c from the ground and 50 p.c from 3, however Detroit stayed afloat behind Malachi Flynn and Jaden Ivey (21 factors on the night time).
White continued to spray the ball across the perimeter and bury pictures himself, ending a masterful half with 17 factors, 7 rebounds and seven assists (plus-17). He took it upon himself to play aggressively with Tatum and Vacation out.
Brown supplied a cool 17 earlier than the break and received nearly wherever he wished. Jaden Springer added a troublesome bucket late with a hand in his face after a hustle rebound and swatted a shot on the different finish to punctuate a robust half.
Xavier Tillman continued to point out his versatility defensively, staying in entrance of guards and bodying bigs on the rim. The Celtics took a 59-46 cushion into halftime with momentum on their facet, because of a complete crew effort and a robust defensive second quarter.
Brown and Porzingis (20 factors, 8 rebounds) continued to prepare dinner early within the third, then back-to-back dimes from Pritchard – the primary behind his again to Tillman, and the second to Svi Mykhailiuk for 3 – helped the Celtics lengthen the margin to 92-66 by three.
With White inching nearer to the triple-double, the Celtics made a acutely aware effort to shoot when he handed them the ball. Ultimately, White discovered Pritchard, who buried a 3 to take White and the Celtics to the promised land.
Boston has gained six straight and welcomes the Bucks to city Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.