5 takeaways from the Boston Celtics 114-107 win vs. the New York Knicks
CelticsBlog.com
The Boston Celtics bounced back against the New York Knicks last night, taking home a 114-107 win. After a tough loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics got right back up to .500 the very next night. What are some of the top takeaways from the contest?
Takeaways from the Boston Celtics win vs. the New York Knicks
1. Josh Richardson time
On a night where the C’s were ravaged with COVID-related absences, Josh Richardson stepped up in a huge way. He poured in 27 points off the bench, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 from deep. Richardson’s contributions were the main reason the Celtics were able to hang in and win this game. In addition to his scoring, the swingman put up five rebounds, four assists, and three steals as well. It was a truly amazing performance from the veteran sixth man.
2. Payton Pritchard proving himself
Payton Pritchard hasn’t gotten consistent minutes all season, but last night he took a necessary step in order to do so. He’s been struggling to shoot efficiently all year, but last night was s different story. Pritchard discord 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field and 4-of-7 shooting from deep. Ime Udoka stated after the game that he has “extreme confidence in Pritchard. If the sophomore guard can continue to shoot like that, he might just earn a spot in the regular rotation.
3. Third-quarter lapse
The Celtics still can’t manage to play a full game. Boston looked outstanding in the first half, but then absolutely collapsed in the third quarter. They got outscored 41-24 in the third after only allowing 47 total points in the first two quarters. After the game, Udoka said he was livid at how poorly they played defensively. Luckily, they brought it back in the fourth by only giving up 19 points.
4. Aaron Nesmith still struggling
Just like Pritchard, Aaron Nesmith hasn’t been getting a ton of opportunities this season. Well, with the number of players out last night, he got the start and played over 26 minutes. Despite this, Nesmith shot 0-for-5 from the field, with all of his shots coming from behind the three-point line. He was able to contribute by way of his defensive hustle and seven rebounds, but overall, it was a disappointing game for the youngster. Nesmith looked like a real 3&D threat last season, and so far this year, he just hasn’t been that.
5. Marcus Smart progress
One of the biggest knocks on Marcus Smart throughout his career is that he takes too many shots. The reason behind that is usually because the C’s are missing key pieces. Well, even though Boston was down a bunch of guys last night, Smart didn’t fall into the trap. He only took three shots last night, shooting 2-for-3 without taking a single three. Smart also contributed five assists and a steal on a night where, although his impact wasn’t huge, he wasn’t detrimental to the team in the slightest.
The Celtics’ next game is tomorrow when they take on the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. (EST) and can be streamed on NBC Sports Boston.
