No flash, Celtics beat Blazers

The absence of Danny Avdia did not take long to be felt in the Portland side. The Blazers went on an 8-0 run to start the game and needed four minutes to score their first point, a free throw. THE Celtics steal the ball and also take advantage of the huge clumsiness of their opponents to dominate this first quarter. Amari Williams (32-11) made a particularly good comeback.

Tiago Splitter’s troops finally gained momentum in the second quarter, with a stronger defense. They go 9-0 and the Celtics are very sterile with the ball in hand. Down 5-0 in the final seconds of the first period, the 2024 champions regain some fresh air (52-37).

The nail was nailed early in the third quarter with Jaylen Brown more present. As in the first half, the Blazers missed the first step, but tried to come back later (75-65). With several award-winning baskets, Joe Mazzula’s players did what was necessary in the end to keep the lead and win (102-94), but without very convincing results.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

A game of cat and mouse. Trailing by such a large margin in the first quarter and facing a team that struggles to score points, the Celtics could have had a quieter night. But the Blazers were able to come back a few times, but they couldn’t completely upset the Celtics, but they always stayed within striking distance. All evening, Boston extended the gap, then lost it before doing it again. Cat, mouse and a little game that lasted (too) long, with sometimes less spectacle due to waste.

Portland’s tough offensive night. 11 points in the first quarter, only 37 at halftime and 31 minutes needed to painfully reach 50 points: The Blazers had the most difficulty finding a way to the basket, without their best player Danny Avdia. They lost 18 turnovers and shot 10/40 (25%) on 3-pointers, making it difficult to win in Celtic Country.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=KsfRI0S419LE

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; 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; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.