The Boston Celtics took the ground with out three starters in Sunday evening’s matchup in opposition to the Washington Wizards and had zero situation making straightforward work of the worst group within the Jap Convention.
Boston started working with out Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White, though it wasn’t unfamiliar territory for the Celtics. In video games with out two or extra starters obtainable this season, Boston’s gone 6-0 and continued that undefeated stretch, once more courtesy of its depth. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla referred to as on Sam Hauser to step into the beginning lineup, which haunted the Wizards and interim head coach Brian Keefe — rapidly.
“We misplaced Hauser and (Jayson) Tatum. For certain, that was the most important situation,” Keefe instructed reporters after Boston’s 130-104 street win over Washington. “These guys hit threes and that prolonged the lead. We had a little bit hassle scoring that stretch however these guys bought open appears to be like and that’s what modified the sport.”
By halftime, Tatum and Hauser had mixed to attain 46 factors, main the Celtics to an 81-53 benefit over the Wizards. Hauser’s seven threes set a brand new franchise report for many made in a half.
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The 26-year-old went a career-best 10-of-13 from three to attain 30 factors. Nevertheless, with 7:43 left remaining within the third quarter, Hauser suffered an ankle sprain that reduce his evening early and withheld him from chasing Klay Thompson’s NBA report of 14 threes drained in a single sport.
On the flip facet, by the point Hauser’s evening had ended, the injury had already been finished to Washington. Boston had gotten every part it wanted from Hauser after which some, and Mazzulla comfortably cruised the rest of the best way with an undermanned Celtics rotation.
Tatum was on-brand, matching Hauser’s 30 factors whereas taking pictures 8-of-17 with six rebounds, six assists and three steals. These two had been sufficient of a dynamic duo to bury the Wizards and enhance Boston’s NBA-best report to 53-14 with a fifth consecutive journey to the win column.
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“Hauser, that’s what he does, catch and shoot man,” Keefe continued. “Attempt to take him off the road. He bought unfastened a little bit bit on some scrambles, some offensive rebounds and a little bit bit in transition. So he bought in a wide range of methods. Tatum’s going to make powerful pictures. You attempt to make that as powerful as doable. I assumed he bought a few simpler appears to be like than we most likely would have favored.”
One other win within the books for the Celtics and one more nod to Boston’s depth with 15 video games left to go earlier than the playoffs.