Resplendent against the Suns for their last in 2021, the Celtics almost found themselves trapped against Orlando last night. It even took a small miracle (and a huge performance from Jaylen Brown) for Boston, deprived of Jayson Tatum and Robert Williams, to manage to snatch the victory after overtime.
The premises seemed to control the game until 20-4 cashed to close the third quarter, fed by a Terrence Ross in a trance and concluded by the 3-point from Mo Bamba (65-77). The outcome then seemed inevitable as the Magic first managed with coolness, whether it was the 2 + 1 of Wendell Carter Jr or the 3-point of T-Ross (75-87).
Boston played with fire until 4 minutes from the end, after a lay-up from Franz Wagner (82-96), before reversing the trend. Jaylen Brown thus took matters in hand by scoring 14 points including a 2 + 1 and a 3-point to start in order to revive the suspense and two lay-ups to snatch the extension (100-100).
On his way, the savior of the Celtics finished the job with a missile behind the arc, a pass in the back in transition for the lay-up of Josh Richardson then for the 3-points of Al Horford in the corner (113 -109). Under pressure until the end, the Celtics ended up triumphing over two free throws from Dennis Schroder (116-111).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The confusing finale of the Celtics. Ime Udoka’s troops had the merit of never giving up even at the height of the storm in the fourth quarter. Leu return is a miracle, as the Magic seemed to control his business at the entrance of the “money-time”. Until this whirlwind of madness triggered by Jaylen Brown which resulted in a 16-4 in four minutes to snatch an extension.
– Hopes, but no victory. Once again, this Orlando team did not deserve it, but came away from Massachusetts with a 30th loss in the suitcases. As they have sometimes done this season, the Floridians, led by the Harris-Ross tandem showed good things and were not far from being rewarded. They also never stopped fighting, and only cracked six seconds from the end of extra time.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jaylen Brown. Jaylen Brown’s career record will be fondly remembered for him as it helped the Celtics snatch victory. The Celtics star pulled out to reverse the trend of a badly embarked match. His repeat baskets allowed Boston to equalize and even have the ball in hand for the win just before overtime. If he again distinguished himself in scoring during the overtime, it was with two masterful passes that he concluded his demonstration.
✅ Terrence Ross. It is in these evenings that he justifies his nickname of “Human Torch”. The winger fizzled out in the third quarter, when the Floridians took control of the match. He finished with 33 points, his best performance of the season, but no victory to savor his performance.
⛔ Mo Bamba. Back from quarantine, the Orlando pivot has not yet regained physical condition, and he has not brought much.
THE FOLLOWING
Boston (18-19): The Celtics will host San Antonio this Wednesday.
Orlando (7-30): The Floridians continue in Chicago tonight.
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