BSJ Game Report: Celtics 126, Clippers 94 - Porzingis returns, C's make some history in blowout

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

IN A NUTSHELL

The Celtics struggled with their shooting to start the game but they relied on volume to take a seven-point lead after one. The second quarter was utter domination, led by Jaylen Brown, as Boston scored 51 points and took a 29-point lead. The Clippers cut that lead to 15 but Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser helped shoot it back up to 21 going into the fourth. An early flurry got it back to 27 and it was garbage time after that.

Box Score

HEADLINES

- Porzingis returns: He played 22 minutes finishing 6-12 shooting overall, 1-6 3pt, to go along with six rebounds, two blocks, four assists, and a steal

“I thought he played well,” Joe Mazzulla said after the game. “We were able to get back to some of our defensive versatility. Obviously, a little bit of rim protection, a little bit more physicality on the ball because he was back there, and so I thought he brought that. Offensively, just really helped our spacing. So it was good to get him back.”

- 12 minutes of dominance: I’ll get more into this throughout this recap, but if you missed the second quarter of this game, go find a way to watch it. It’s as perfect a quarter as you’ll find. 

- Spreading the wealth: Five Celtics scored 16 or more points. The Celtics had 33 assists on 45 makes, so they were moving the ball really well. 

TURNING POINT 

The whole second quarter was one big turning point. Boston put up 51 points, breaking the Celtics record and tying the NBA record for 3-pointers in a quarter (12). It was one of the most dominating quarters of basketball I’ve seen.

THINGS I LIKED

Kristaps Porzingis: Just a quick mention here because I’ll write a lot more about him separately, but it’s pretty clear what his return does for this starting five. I don’t want to overreact because the Clippers were also on a back-to-back and I don’t peg them as big-time fighters, but Porzingis definitely enhances what Boston is trying to do. 

Jaylen Brown: His second quarter was some of the best basketball I’ve seen him play. He was everywhere. He defended, he scored, he created shots for himself and made plays for his team. He had a two-minute stretch of pure takeover basketball where he got a 4-point play, a steal (and nearly an assist on a Jrue Holiday 3-pointer that was halfway down), a 3-point play, a 3-pointer, a rebound, and an alley oop to Porzingis. Pure dominance. 

Derrick White: You know why. 19 points on 6-12 shooting, 5-9 3pt, seven assists and a steal.

Jayson Tatum: Tied Pritchard for the team-high with 20 points while tacking on nine rebounds and four assists. It's funny to think that's a game I almost didn't include in this section. How many people would kill to go 20/9/4 every night and here I am thinking "meh, it was okay I guess."

Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser: I’m putting them together because they combined to do the same things in the second and the end of the third. With Boston struggling a bit offensively, Hauser and Pritchard combined for a flurry that settled the game down. 

“I like, first of all, that the other guys on the court — Jayson, Jaylen, Jrue, Derrick, KP — they understand that those guys are guys that take the pressure off them,” Mazzulla said. “I like the fact that our team has an understanding that everyone's got a role, everyone's got a strength, and we can go to different frequencies … you’ve got to take advantage of the strengths of the team, and our guys have an understanding of that.”

Neemias Queta: I’ve harped on him for making the same mistakes a lot lately, so let’s give him his flowers on this one. He played really well in this game, and I saw a few different plays where he stayed home on his man instead of chasing a block and giving up rebounding position. This is what makes him playable. If he can stay disciplined and focused, he can have nights like this. They needed it without Al Horford and Luke Kornet. 

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE

- The start of the third: I’ll nitpick here just to say the energy wasn’t good here. They recovered and were fine, so not the biggest deal in the world. But obviously you’d like to see them come out of the half with better energy. 

- Jrue Holiday: Tough shooting night for him going 2-10 overall and 1-8 from 3. I didn't think he played particularly poorly, though. He was still +13 and he had six assists.

HIGHLIGHTS

ONE TAKE KARALIS WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

- Get ready for Jaylen Brown to go to another level.

Last season, Jaylen Brown had 39 field goal attempts off cuts, most of them of the backdoor variety. That's essentially one every other game. He came into this game with zero, and while technically he still has zero, it’s only because he was fouled and didn’t get the finish. 

“KP coming back, I get one in the first play,” Brown said. “He's looking for me, looking to get me easy ones and I'm looking to get him easy ones and that translates to rhythm, that translates on defense, so shout out to KP.”

There's something about the chemistry between these guys. They're on a different level. They hit it off immediately last season and it’s clear that they are picking right back up where they left off. When Brown was asked about finding Porzingis for the lob, he said “ I just put it up there for him and let him do the rest. But Cookies and Cream is back. Let's get it!"

He slapped the table for emphasis … and fun … but it’s pretty obvious that there is a special bond between these two. As good as Brown has been to start the season, I think Porzingis’ return will help unlock a different level of Brown’s game. 

I’m very curious to see how this plays out. I’m wondering if playing Tatum the whole first quarter was a long play in anticipation of Porzingis coming back and subbing out with Brown at the same time, and then letting both of them work the start of second quarters together. Now, instead of adjusting his sub pattern, Porzingis slides right into it. 

Whether it was by design or luck, I think it’s going to work. I’m watching for Brown and Porzingis to own those minutes in the second and fourth. 

Next up: The Celtics have three days off before going to Chicago for their final NBA Cup pool play game on Friday.