The Boston Celtics pulled off a solid 122-102 win against the Washington Wizards, showing us all why they’re the team to watch. Even though they started off a bit shaky, they quickly turned things around. Here’s what went down.
Tatum and Brown: The Dynamic Duo
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were the stars of the show. Tatum racked up 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Brown shook off a slow start to score 27 points. Tatum’s got a knack for those tough shots, but he might want to mix it up with some more passes. Brown owned up to some early mistakes but found his groove fast, proving he’s got what it takes.
Derrick White: The Quiet Game-Changer
Derrick White was the steady hand the Celtics needed. His cool performance in the first quarter kept the team from falling too far behind. With 19 points, White’s clutch shots were key in keeping the game close, showing that big plays can happen anytime, not just at the buzzer.
The Celtics’ strategy of firing off 90-plus shots a game is working wonders. They nailed 17 three-pointers compared to the Wizards’ seven, creating a huge gap. This aggressive playstyle is a big part of their success.
Bench Power and Defensive Moves
Payton Pritchard and the bench bigs were crucial in this win. Pritchard’s shooting, especially in the third quarter, helped widen the lead. The rotation of big guys behind Al Horford ... Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman, and Luke Kornet ... made the right defensive moves to counter the Wizards’ early energy.
Sure, they gave up some points in the paint, but it’s not a huge worry. The focus is on keeping their shooting sharp and tweaking the defense as needed. The team’s depth means they can handle whatever comes their way.
The Celtics showed they can handle pressure and come out on top. As they keep fine-tuning their game, the lessons from this matchup will definitely come in handy down the road.
For more on the Celtics’ strategies and performances, check out the latest episode of the Locked On Celtics podcast.
