Dec 2, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics middle Luke Kornet (40) blocks a shot by Miami Warmth guard Dru Smith (12) through the second quarter at TD Backyard. Obligatory Credit score: Winslow Townson-Imagn Photos Though they have been lacking 4 gamers, together with two starters, the Boston Celtics turned in what might have been their finest defensive efficiency of the season throughout a 108-89 victory over the Miami Warmth on Monday.
Boston coach Joe Mazzulla undoubtedly want to see the same effort when the Celtics face the visiting Detroit Pistons on Wednesday evening.
The Celtics have been with out Kristaps Porzingis (harm administration), Jrue Vacation (left knee), Al Horford (toe sprain) and Sam Hauser (private causes), however they held Miami to 35.6 % taking pictures from the sphere (31 of 87).
It was the primary time this season that the Celtics held an opponent to lower than 90 factors and likewise the primary time a Boston opponent shot lower than 40 % from the ground.
Porzingis and Horford must be again in motion on Wednesday, whereas Vacation and Jayson Tatum (proper knee) have been listed as questionable.
Luke Kornet acquired the beginning at middle and led the Celtics’ defensive effort by tying his profession excessive with six blocked photographs.
“When he performs with that stage of physicality on each ends of the ground, it makes our staff completely different,” Mazzulla stated. “I believe his two greatest strengths are his physicality and rim safety when he is at his finest, after which his screening versus completely different coverages. I assumed we noticed each of these all through the sport, and he is simply acquired to proceed to try this. However when he performs at a excessive stage, we’re a distinct staff, and we are able to go to various things.”
Boston’s Payton Pritchard strengthened his early-season case for NBA Sixth Man of the 12 months by making 5 of 12 3-point makes an attempt and scoring 25 factors in opposition to the Warmth. Pritchard has come off the bench to attain a minimum of 20 factors in every of the staff’s previous 4 video games.
Regardless of a 3-1 document in NBA Cup group play, the Celtics have been eradicated from the occasion following Tuesday’s outcomes.
The Pistons additionally have been knocked out of the NBA Cup after taking a 128-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Cade Cunningham scored a team-high 23 factors for Detroit, which completed 3-1 in group play.
“This was the primary significant sport of my (NBA) profession, for lots of our careers,” Cunningham stated. “Now we’re on to making an attempt to get into the playoffs and really feel that once more.”
Tobias Harris (16 factors), Tim Hardaway (15) and Jalen Duren (11) additionally scored in double figures for the Pistons, who surrendered 78 factors within the first half and trailed by 19 at halftime.
“It was an amazing alternative and expertise for our guys,” Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff stated. “The message to our guys is, for lots of us within the NBA that is the largest sport that we have had, proper? And taking part in in opposition to a staff that has champions on it. Guys who’ve been via the fireplace earlier than, perceive what it takes to succeed in that subsequent stage. The NBA would not allow you to skip steps.
“All the fellows in that (Milwaukee) locker room who received championships or had playoff success, sooner or later in time as a staff they did not attain their objectives both, they usually discovered from it, acquired higher from it. And that is what we’ve to do. Now we have to study from it, see what it felt like. You do not know what it looks like till you undergo it.”
The Pistons have misplaced their previous two video games and 6 of their previous eight. The Celtics have received eight of their previous 9 total and 5 in a row at dwelling.
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