Jayson Tatum posted a season-high with 26 points and 11 rebounds while Kemba Walker chipped in with 19 points and 5 assists, leading the C’s to an impressive 99-85 road victory over Phoenix on Monday night. Without Ricky Rubio (back spasms) in the fold, the C’s defense keyed in on Devin Booker, limiting him to just 20 points in 34 minutes while forcing his teammates into plenty of shots. That tactic paid dividends as the Suns shot just 40 percent from the field and 27 percent from 3-point range in one of their worst offensive performances of the year.
The C’s did not shot particularly well either but they got efficient scoring from their starters and solid efforts off the bench from Brad Wanamaker (10 points) and Grant Williams (plus-18). Marcus Smart (17 points, 4 assists) left the game in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle and did not return, leaving his availability for the rest of the trip in doubt after he was helped off the floor.
Boston’s win improves them to 11-2 on the year, back into a tie with the Lakers for the best record in the league. They will face their biggest challenge of the trip next with a showdown against Doc Rivers and the Clippers in LA on Wednesday night.
? KEMBA ? pic.twitter.com/oGxqozwnKX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 19, 2019
PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Marcus Smart
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Jaylen Brown
C: Daniel Theis
SG: Devin Booker
PF: Dario Saric
C: Aron Baynes
- The Celtics will be at full strength for this one besides Gordon Hayward as no one else was listed on the injury report.
- Aron Baynes will face his old teammates for the first time this season in the midst of a career year. He's averaging 15 points per game and shooting over 45 percent from 3-point range while taking over the starting job for a suspended DeAndre Ayton.
- The Suns will test the C's perimeter defense tonight with their 3-point shooting as they rank second in the NBA with 38 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Seven players on the roster are shooting above 37 percent from 3-point range.
