BSJ Game Report: Celtics 130, Wizards 121 - C's win for 12th time in 13 games behind Brown's 36

Everything you need to know about the Celtics win over the Washington Wizards, with BSJ insight and analysis:

IN A NUTSHELL

The Celtics created some space after a back-and-forth start thanks to Malcolm Brogdon in the first quarter. Boston’s bench helped that turn into a 17-point halftime lead by outscoring Washington 12-1 in the first half. Jaylen Brown was big throughout and the lead grew to 26 in the third. The Wizards gave Boston a little bit of a scare with a 15-4 garbage time run to start the 4th, ultimately cutting the lead down to 12, but Joe Mazzulla reinserted his starters and they held the Wizards at bay.

Box Score

HEADLINES

A late scare: It’s not exactly ideal that the one time Joe Mazzulla decides to pull his guys out with a lot of time left, the other team makes a run. He’d said earlier this season that he’s still learning when to pull guys when they have big leads.

“I don't think there's ever a right answer in any part of the game,” he said afterward. “I thought we just adapted to what Washington was doing, and it just looked like they were trying to put the pressure on us and go for the win. We just try to do the same."

Explosive offense: Without Jayson Tatum, Brown very easily carried the day with 36 points on 23 shots. The Celtics shot 55/47/100 for the game, good for a monster effective field goal percentage of 65.8% and true shooting percentage of 71.1%. 

“I thought Jaylen did a great job making the right play, getting the ball where it needed to go,” Mazzulla said. “I thought everybody else followed suit. That's a compliment to them for our depth and a compliment to guys making the right play."

Six Celtics scored between 12 and 17 points to support Brown’s big night.

Bench dominance: When both teams were trying to win the game through three quarters, Boston’s bench outscored the Wizards 40-14. So the final count ended up 46-36 because of how the beginning of the fourth went, but let’s be clear that the second unit dominated this game. 

TURNING POINT

This is a tough one for a game like this, because I can go with the end of the third quarter stretch to make this a 25-point game and give Boston enough of a pad that they didn’t fully cough up the lead. Or I can go with Brown's personal 6-0 run to turn an 11-point lead and momentum for the Wizards into a 17-point game with two minutes to go and finally end this mess. I’ll let you pick this time, because either one works.

SIX UP

Jaylen Brown: 36 points on 13-23 shooting and 8-8 from the line. This was a high-level performance in what could be an All-NBA season for him. Without Tatum, Brown was still unguardable. 

“Being able to maintain our level of play without our leader, our big dog, not being in the rotation, it was fun,” Brown said. “We all have capabilities, we all are talented. I got full faith and belief in myself in any situation, but that's a part of being on a winning team. Being able to be a team player, making the right plays, making sacrifices in order to get back to where we want to do.”

Marcus Smart: A pretty perfect night from Smart. 14 points on 8 shots, a couple of 3-pointers, and 7 assists. 

Al Horford: The hot shooting rolls on for Horford. Once again, he opened the night with a 3-pointer, but when they started to close out on him, he drove to the basket and got easy layups. 

Malcolm Brogdon: He makes the second unit what it is. 17 points on 50% shooting, 3-5 from 3 and 4-4 from the line (no one missed a free throw for the Celtics). Tack on 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Brogdon has that second unit humming.

Sam Hauser: Shooters shoot, and Hauser’s shooting is starting to involve a little more off the move to support his catch-and-shoot prowess. His one non-3 was an aggressive drive to the rim where he got a 3 point play anyway. 

Luke Kornet: 12 points, 4 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocked shots. He’s solid and getting more comfortable. 

TWO DOWN

Grant Williams: The slump continues. He’s shooting 38% overall and 28.6% from 3 over his last 5 games. He had 5 points on 2-7 shooting in this one. 

Justin Jackson: Gotta make the most of the opportunities you get. Jackson came in for Jaylen Brown in the third quarter and was removed not that long after as the lead dwindled. 

TOP PLAYS

ONE TAKE KARALIS WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

- Luke Kornett has earned his role

There has been a lot said of Boston’s big situation, but with Robert Williams returning in the relatively near future, I feel comfortable saying that the front office was right to put as much faith in Kornet as they did. 

When Williams returns, there's no reason to scour the market looking for another big. Kornet is getting better each game, enjoying a comfort level that makes things a little easier for him each time he’s on the floor. 

“He’s a smart player, he understands the game,” Smart said. “You got a guy out there like that, just like Rob, he makes it easier for us. He’s an outlet for us at the rim, he protects the rim for us, and we thank Luke for that man. Luke has been doing what he’s supposed to be, he’s been putting the work in, and it’s been showing. We give credit to Luke, and we love him. Proud of him.”

Is he going to excel every time he’s out there? No, but within this framework, he’s what the Celtics need. He can catch a lob, he can roll to the basket, and he can even hit a 3 from time to time. 

The Celtics aren’t going to add a ton of pieces at the deadline. They might have room for one or two moves to supplement the roster and not upset the chemistry. I think Kornet has done enough to earn his spot in the rotation so Boston can focus on adding someone more dynamic if they can. 

The reason I feel comfortable saying this is the clamoring for another big man has died down. Fans have backed off because Kornet has played well enough to keep people satisfied.