Derrick White and the Celtics corner the Suns

Even deprived Jailen BrownThe Celtics continue to win comfortably. Without their star, injured in the knee, the C’s won (81-97) on the floor of the Suns who, for their part, were still playing without Devin Booker in Dillon Brooks.

Four of Boston’s five starters finished with 11 or more points, including Derrick Whitemost productive in the role of finisher and main creator (22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists). next to him Nehemiah Kueta (14 points and 13 rebounds) i Baylor Scheierman (11 points and 11 rebounds) signed a double-double.

in front, Collin Gillespie once again finished as the top scorer of his team (15 points), while Jalen Greenvery enterprising, struggled to finish all night (13 points on 5/18 shooting). As did the entire Suns with just 37% success on the night, when the Celtics finished with an equally meager 40%.

Fatal third quarter

After an even first period (46-50), the guests started better thanks to the away address Sam Hauserand halfway to Baylor Scheierman. After a good pass from Neemias Kueta in front of Mark Williams, Sam Houser in particular did a lot of damage to the opposing defense, in transition or coming off screens in the set.

After another basket by the scorer, the baseline and the middle this time, the Celtics went ahead six minutes from the end of the third quarter (52-69). The Suns’ answer? She never came. Unable to punish from long range, Jamaree Bouiea and his teammates spent time hesitating to attack the rim, while the Celtics did the opposite to take the point home.

Bowie was a victim of Ron Harper Jr. in the rush block, which paved the way for Hugo Gonzalez to end up on the other side thanks to a Euro-step. New time-out for Jordan Ott, whose formation never saw the light of day again (52-75). The series of the guests moved to 16-0, and the quarter was mostly won (30-11). The Celtics won’t be worried after.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– The most capable team in the East. While their evening opponents are in poor form, Joe Mazzula’s men are showing the opposite dynamic. This fourth straight victory boosts a record of 9 wins and 1 loss in the last 10 matches for Boston (38w-19d), a team in the best form of its conference. Enough to distance themselves from the Knicks and Cavs, with the same record (37v-22d), to consolidate 2nd place in the East.

– The Suns need reinforcements on offense. This little offensive outing last night comes after their worst production of the year in this area against the Blazers two days earlier, with 77 points. It was the fifth time in February that Arizona players fell short of 100 points. Still deprived of several of the best attackers, the Suns achieved the 28th most efficient attack in the championship in February (106 points with 100 possessions). Only the Bulls and Nets go up.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.