PHOENIX -- Brad Stevens looked to an old favorite late-game set of his when trying to put the finishing touches on a miraculous comeback by the Celtics in the final four minutes of regulation on Thursday night.
The playcall was a simple one, as he opted for the red-hot Marcus Morris at the point of attack instead of Al Horford. The play had been run regularly during end-of-game situations in the Isaiah Thomas/Kelly Olynyk era, normally with the ball starting off in the hands of Thomas, who created an open look after for himself or a teammate after getting a head of steam charging from midcourt.
This time, with the Suns having a chance to foul up 3, Stevens opted for a twist. He put the ball in the hands of Morris first and played the handoff game with his top scorer. Kyrie Irving would get the ball from Morris and have to make a decision: Pull up for a 3 or find the open man if the defense collapsed on him. The overmatched Suns opted for the latter, opening the door for a dish to a wide-open Morris 3 at the top of the key. Somehow, the Suns did not foul, but that’s what bad teams do.
MOOK WITH ONE SECOND LEFT pic.twitter.com/oE5DGMfGzc
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 9, 2018
Big steal, big bucket pic.twitter.com/HzRIHZGNXW
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 9, 2018