Heading into Sport 4 on Sunday evening, the Boston Celtics have been seeking to bounce again. They dropped Sport 3 to the Atlanta Hawks in ugly trend, permitting the opposition to dominate the glass.
They improved their effort, rebounding, and defensive depth in Sport 4, however additionally they stored up their offensive prowess. Solely this time round, it was Jaylen Brown who stepped as much as the plate.
Masks-less Jaylen Brown.
“After the timeout, we have been on the lookout for Jaylen. We couldn’t discover him as a result of he didn’t have his masks on,” stated Marcus Good. “After which we noticed him within the nook, and he will get the ball, after which clearly, he makes these performs the place he’s driving with drive. He throws it off the glass couple of occasions and makes some nice performs. And we simply knew at that second it was a distinct JB, and he’s going to hold us and convey us dwelling.”
Brown began the sport capturing 1-for-7 from the sector. It was wanting like one other off evening for the Celtics star. However with 9:02 remaining within the second quarter, he took his masks off.
From then on, Brown shot 11-for-15, turning up his aggressiveness and making it some extent to get to the rim.
“I simply wanted a distinct look,” Brown stated. “I simply felt like, to begin the sport, I didn’t just like the appears that I obtained, so I simply wanted one thing to change it up just a little bit. After which, as quickly as I took it off, issues began to show round just a little bit.”
Brown has been sporting the masks since February 8. Whereas combating for a rebound, Jayson Tatum inadvertently elbowed Brown within the face, leaving him with a facial fracture.
He didn’t return to motion till February 23 after lacking 4 video games. Ever since then, he’s been sporting the masks, however on Sunday, he determined it was time for it to go.
As for what head coach Joe Mazzulla noticed from him after the masks got here off…
“I noticed his face,” stated Mazzulla.
Brown’s face was on full show, as was his management.
“After that, I noticed his poise,” stated Mazzulla. “I assumed he did a terrific job making performs on the rim, working in area, taking part in off two ft, and making the proper play. To me, he confirmed large poise, particularly on the offensive finish. He had the ball in his palms, making performs for himself and others.”
Main as much as Sport 4, Brown had been having an off-kilter collection. He was averaging 20.7 factors and capturing 50.0% from the sector, however his three-point proportion was simply 28.6%. And after trying 20.6 pictures per recreation within the common season, he was taking simply 17.3 pictures.
In Sport 4, that every one modified. He dropped 31 factors on 22 pictures and made it some extent to continually get to the rim. Tied with Tatum, he led the staff in scoring.
“It doesn’t matter if I rating 25 or I rating two,” stated Brown. “So long as I simply assist my staff be ready to win, that’s what I’m attempting to deal with. However I undoubtedly must proceed to be extra aggressive as a result of I really feel like our staff is totally different after I obtained the ball, and I’m being aggressive.”
With a distinct outlook (actually), Brown was in a position to refind a second gear and assist lead Boston to a much-needed win.
However he wasn’t too eager on the masks discuss.
”It’s been a minute since we’ve seen JB with out his masks on the courtroom taking part in,” stated Good, solely to be interrupted by Brown, who was coming into the room for his post-game press convention.
“Shut up,” stated Brown jokingly.
Seeing Brown explode for his first 30-point efficiency of the postseason is a good signal for the video games (and rounds) to return.
And he’s prepared for the problem.
“The playoffs are excessive depth. Every recreation is totally different. It’s a battle–who desires it essentially the most,” stated Brown. “You bought to return to play. It doesn’t matter what number of factors you had within the common season. It doesn’t matter what your accolades are. Groups are going to return at you, and you bought to return able to play.”