The Boston Celtics secured a third consecutive victory as they overcame the Indiana Pacers on Monday, Dec. 22. However, the win wasn’t straightforward. Boston found itself trailing the Pacers by 20 points at halftime. As such, Joe Mazzulla made the bold decision to pull Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard early into the third quarter.
Mazzulla’s decision paid dividends. With the second unit on the court, the Celtics upped the intensity on both sides of the ball. Led by Anfernee Simons, Boston clawed its way back into the game, providing a platform that helped the team secure the win in the fourth quarter.
During his postgame news conference, All-Star forward Jaylen Brown admitted that he was initially frustrated by Mazzulla’s decision.
“To be honest, I was p—-d,” Brown said. “…But we trust our coaching staff, so it was the right decision… There is a reason we won that game. Garza, Sam, Hugo, we won tonight because of those guys. It was a great call by Joe.”
Despite warming the bench for a stretch in the third quarter, Brown still emerged as a key part of Boston’s winning efforts. He ended the game with 31 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks, shooting 44% from the field and 33% from deep.
Story continues below advertisement
Brown has been the Celtics’ best player this season. He’s currently ranked in the top 10 in MVP voting and is proving he can lead a team while shouldering the burden of being the primary offensive option.
Boston’s bench unit may have gotten the Celtics back into the game on Monday, but it was Brown who spearheaded the fourth-quarter push to put the game away and earn the Celtics another win.
Story continues below advertisement
Featured image via Matt Blewett/Imagn Images
