DERRICK WHITE’S 30 POINTS CARRIES CELTICS PAST KNICKS 133-123
Celtics get dominant win with Derrick White scoring thirty points and Kristaps Porzingis scoring twenty-one in his lineup comeback following four games missed due to a strained left calf, the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 133-123 on Friday night.
In his first game back following a four-game injury hiatus, Kristaps Porzingis performed flawlessly on Friday night. After his performance against the New York Knicks at TD Garden, it appeared as though he would not even miss a shot.
KP scored in the game’s opening three possessions for Boston, starting with a dunk and then making back-to-back 3-pointers. He made his first seven attempts at shooting the game, scoring 19 points in the first half to lead the Celtics over Porzingis’ previous team and their rivals in the Atlantic Division, 133-123.
Boston increased to 10-0 at home with the addition of 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists from Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown, a forward with the Celtics, scored 17 points before being taken out of the game halfway through the last quarter due to two technical fouls.
When asked why he was thrown out, Brown replied, “To be honest with you, I don’t know.” “I thought some guy would punch it up and go to the ground for my first career ejection, not some overly emotional referee who was having a bad day.”
The prompt dismissal appeared to annoy Boston coach Joe Mazzulla.
He remarked, “I’ve watched players act and say things that are way more disrespectful than that in my five years on the sidelines.”
Brown thought official Jason Goldenberg, who whistled him for both, overreacted on the second Technical.
Brown remarked, “I’m talking from the sidelines from the bench, and he can’t even hear me.” “From across the court, he called a technical. to be faced with managing an individual whose emotions are excessively entwined with other ongoing events. I won’t be making any general remarks about officiating tonight, but I will make specific remarks about this individual. That seemed like a (expletive).
“The second technical foul was called for a wave off directed at the official, which under the respect of the game guidelines is considered an overt gesture and an unsportsmanlike act,” crew chief Mark Lindsay said to a pool reporter.
With 23 points apiece, RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks. Immanuel Quickley scored 17 points and Julius Randle contributed 20 for New York, which suffered its second consecutive loss.
Using a dunk and two consecutive 3-pointers, Porzingis quickly established Boston’s offensive rhythm and scored the team’s first eight points.
Late in the second quarter, Tatum produced a breakaway dunk, fell awkwardly, and tumbled to the floor on the baseline, giving the Celtics and the TD Garden fans a short panic. However, he stood up fast.
Defense ➡️ Offense
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 9, 2023
JT got the swipe and the slam in tonight's @JetBlue Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/XQKj2s4b5O
At the half, the Celtics led 74-65 and shot 58.3%. In the first half of game, the Knicks shot 53.5%.
After making nine of its first 13 shots in the third quarter, including five 3-pointers, Boston got off to a fast start. Brown’s 3-pointer from the top of the key gave Boston a 99-79 lead.
After losing handily to Milwaukee in the NBA’s In-Season Tournament quarterfinals earlier in the week, coach Tom Thibodeau chastised the Knicks for their poor defense. On Friday, they allowed 109 points through three quarters.
It presents issues. We must strengthen our defense,” he remarked. “It begins on an individual basis with better ball containment, improved ball pressure, and improved shot challenging in all areas.”
Late in the game, Brunson suffered an injury that was not made public. The medical staff had not responded to Thibodeau’s message.
Boston’s excellent ball movement created many open looks for threes, while New York provided minimal opposition when Boston attempted to bring the ball inside.
Following Brown’s dismissal, the Knicks cut their deficit to 119–112, but White’s score and two free throws gave Boston a one-possession lead again.
Just before the game tonight, Joe Mazzulla complimented the Jays’ playmaking::
“I thought that was great for both of them to be facilitators because it empowered the rest of the guys.”
Derrick White, who scored a season-high 30 points, said about Porzingis, “He’s special.” White was able to score more points because of Porzingis’s presence. “Having a player of that size who has ability of doing his job on both sides of the ball is an incredible asset. He obviously got the game started by making a few 3-pointers and getting into the paint. When it comes to the basketball floor, he is truly limitless. It was really important to us that he was back there.
What about the strain in his left calf that prevented Porzingis from playing for the last 12 days? He said there was no discomfort at all.
After ending the game with 21 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 29 minutes, Porzingis remarked, “It felt good to be back out there.” “I was happy to be back and beat a good team like the Knicks and itching to get back out there with my guys.”
Celtics Retain the Top spot in Eastern Conference Standings with 16-5 record. https://x.com/NBA/status/1733369637637665025?s=20
Celtics will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
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