Preview (through Reuters)
The NBA-best Boston Celtics will look to shut a seven-game homestand with their fourth consecutive win once they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night time.
Boston’s offence has come to life within the final two video games, with a season-high 139 factors in a Christmas victory over the Milwaukee Bucks earlier than capturing previous the Houston Rockets 126-102 on Tuesday.
“It’s always a little easier when you’ve got (Jayson Tatum) and (Jaylen Brown),” Celtics assistant coach Damon Stoudamire stated. “That’s not a bad start. But this group has been together a while. So you can organize them and then they know how to play. That’s the biggest thing.”
Brown (39 factors) and Tatum (38) mixed for not less than 70 factors for a second straight recreation and the ninth time of their careers, main the Celtics’ cost to victory within the second half. Boston had a 92-81 lead after three quarters earlier than outscoring Houston 34-21 within the fourth.
FORM GUIDE
Boston Celtics
Win – 28 December: Celtics 126-102 Rockets
Win – 26 December: Celtics 139-118 Bucks
Win – 24 December: Celtics 121-109 Timberwolves
Loss – 22 December: Celtics 112-117 Pacers
Loss – 19 December: Celtics 92-95 Magic
Los Angeles ClipperS
Win – 28 December: Raptors 113-124 Clippers
Win – 27 December: Pistons 131-142 Clippers
Loss – 24 December: 76ers 119-114 Clippers
Win – 22 December: Clippers 126-105 Hornets
Win – 18 December: Clippers 102-93 Wizards
Life is simpler for everybody with Tatum and Brown, who’re the one Celtics teammates ever to attain 70 mixed factors in back-to-back video games.
“You’ve just got to sit back and enjoy the show, and whenever they need you to step in you fill that role,” Celtics guard Marcus Smart stated. “But they didn’t need it tonight.”
The Celtics received behind Stoudamire, who acted as Boston’s head coach in opposition to Houston since interim head coach Joe Mazzulla missed the sport resulting from eye irritation.
Robert Williams III had a powerful recreation off the bench, posting a season-high 11 factors and 15 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
Williams has not been within the beginning lineup within the 5 video games he has performed since coming back from offseason knee surgical procedure. Mazzulla not too long ago stated the large man might stay in a bench function.
“We’ve fluctuated the starting lineup a little bit throughout the year, which I think has given us some flexibility,” Mazzulla stated. “But we’ve found some consistency in what we have now, and I think it’s just a matter of if it makes sense, we’ll do it, and if it doesn’t, we won’t.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Played – 137 | Boston Celtics – 91 | Los Angeles Clippers – 46 | Draws – 0
The Clippers had Wednesday off after sweeping a back-to-back at Detroit and Toronto. They overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Pistons in time beyond regulation 142-131 earlier than finishing the set with a 124-113 win at Toronto on Tuesday.
Thursday will mark the fourth of 5 straight video games on the highway for Los Angeles.
Paul George and Ivica Zubac every had 23 factors to guide the Clippers in Toronto. Zubac additionally pulled in 16 rebounds, 10 on the offensive boards. Zubac has 9 video games of not less than 15 rebounds this season.
“He’s been amazing for us all year,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue stated of Zubac. “He was a monster on the glass.”
All 5 Clippers starters completed in double-digits, together with Kawhi Leonard who had 15 factors, a season-high eight assists and 7 rebounds in opposition to his former workforce after lacking Monday’s recreation for upkeep.
“This was one of our most complete wins of the season,” Lue stated.
Entering Wednesday, the Clippers ranked third within the NBA in opponents’ discipline purpose share (45.4) and factors per recreation (108.6). Something should give, as Boston’s offense nonetheless ranks on the high in scoring common (118.9).
Boston might be seeking to even the two-game season sequence after shedding to the Clippers 113-93 Dec. 12 in L.A. George had a game-high 26 factors within the Clippers’ third straight win within the sequence.
The Celtics have been held beneath 100 factors in just one different recreation this season.
WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH
When is the Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Clippers match?
The Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Clippers is on Friday, December 30.
At what time is the Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Clippers match?
The is scheduled to begin at 6:00 AM IST.
Where is the Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Clippers match?
The might be held on the TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts.
Which TV channels will broadcast the Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Clippers match?
The recreation might be aired LIVE on the Sports 18 in India
Where can I watch the dwell stream of the Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Clippers match?
The recreation might be streamed LIVE on Voot. It can be seen on NBA.com and NBA cell app on a subscription foundation.
