For one of the rare times this season, Jaylen Brown didn’t lead the Boston Celtics in scoring during their record-setting 129-116 win over the Miami Heat at TD Garden on Friday night.
Instead, it was Derrick White, who poured in 33 points on 11 of 20 shooting, including 9-for-14 from beyond the arc. He surpassed Brown, who reached 30 points for the sixth straight game.
It was White’s second straight game with at least 30 points — the first time he’s done that in his career. He also added six assists, five rebounds and four blocks, becoming the first player in Celtics history with at least 30 points, nine made 3-pointers, four rebounds, four assists and four blocks in the same game.
When White found that out after the game, he wasn’t too impressed by it.
“I’m gonna need you to put that on something,” White joked. “That’s crazy. I feel like the more stats you put into it, the less it means, but it is cool…It’s always cool to be part of Celtics history.”
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Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was more impressed, calling White “the most underrated player in the league” during his postgame press conference.
“I think he is the most underrated player in the league,” Spoelstra said. “The guy is an absolute winner, whatever role you put him in … He just does so many things … He’s the best shot-blocking guard in the league.”
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White has turned things around after a slow start, scoring at least 27 points in three of his last four games. The veteran guard is averaging career-highs in several categories this season, including points, steals and blocks per game.
White will look to stay hot on Saturday night against the Toronto Raptors. He played well the last time he faced them on Dec. 7, scoring 27 points with five assists, four rebounds and three blocks.
Featured image via Paul Rutherford/Imagn Images
