Stuck in the soft underbelly of the Eastern Conference during the holiday season, Boston concluded its fantastic comeback by taking first place on Sunday evening. While Phoenix beat ex-leader Philadelphia (114-104), the Celtics flew over their meeting once morest Minnesota (134-112).
Engine of the franchise since the departure of Gordon Hayward and Kemba Walker, the duo formed by Jaylen Brown (31 points) and Jayson Tatum (34) shone once more to widen the gap in the second quarter. Tatum offered himself two easy double-steps once morest Karl-Anthony Towns before Brown planted a shot at mid-range (69-47, 23rd).
Never worried in the second half, the players of Ime Udoka were able to put on a show in front of their audience, like a pass on the board from Marcus Smart for Brown’s dunk which arrived launched behind him. A final three-point shot from Tatum, plus D’Angelo Russell’s foul, extinguished the suspense for good (106-78, 35th).
At a press conference, Ime Udoka did not dwell on this first place in the East. ” It’s too close to try to ”pick” an opponent (in view of the play-offs). The important thing is home advantage (reserved for the highest ranked) and we’ll see how things end. “The Celtics (47 wins – 28 losses) have the same record as Miami (2nd), expected Wednesday evening at TD Garden. A match that may take place without the pivot Robert Williams, victim of a sprained left knee once morest Minnesota.
76,9 %
Transformed in 2022, the Celtics have won 76.9% of their matches (30 out of 39 wins) once morest 47.2% until December 31. They were then in 11th place in their Conference.
Phoenix continues once morest Philadelphia
Guaranteed to finish first in the West, Phoenix won an eighth consecutive victory by disposing of Philadelphia (114-104). Faced with Joel Embiid and his teammates, the Suns had to erase a first burst inflicted at the start of the second quarter (37-51, 15th). For his second game back from injury (broken finger), Chris Paul sounded the revolt with 19 points and 14 assists.
“CP3” put the Suns back in the lead with a shot three meters from the circle (73-72, 28th). Philadelphia remained eye-catching, led by Embiid (37 points, 15 rebounds), author of two free throws to reduce the gap to one point (100-101, 43rd). But the Sixers cracked, conceding a fatal 7-0 before a final arrow from Jae Crowder to fold the match (114-102, 47th). Phoenix now has 61 wins and 14 losses. The Sixers are fourth in the East (46-28), just one win behind Boston.
