The Boston Celtics have found an offensive rhythm during their last two games.
The Celtics will look to keep the flow going this weekend at Detroit against the winless Pistons.
With the NBA restricting travel this season, the Celtics will play in Detroit on Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
They recorded back-to-back victories on Tuesday and Wednesday, posting a 116-111 win at Indiana and a 126-107 triumph over Memphis.
Jayson Tatum led the attack against the Pacers with 27 points. Jaylen Brown erupted for a career-high 42 points in just 29 minutes versus the Grizzlies.
Brown drained 15 of 21 field-goal attempts during his career night.
“We made a lot of shots (Wednesday), and that helped us big,” he said. “Obviously it’s great when you make shots, but at times when you don’t make shots, you’ve got to still be locked in.”
Boston is counting on Brown to take a larger offensive role and he’s delivering, averaging 28.0 points and 3.4 assists.
“I have a lot to learn but I think we’re all embracing that challenge,” he said. “Personally for me being able to be in a new and different role with more responsibility, I love and I want to handle that with great responsibility and try to be the best leader I could possibly be.”
Today’s Top Expert Picks
Scott Matthews
Scott Matthews is ready to make you a big winner tonight with these 3 Huge Picks. These type of picks have been hitting over 71% so far this season, so make sure you follow this information coming in that is backed by over 36 years of handicapping experience. Click Here to Access
Mike Lieber
Mike just released his huge NBA Power Play. He’s taking advantage of this oddsmaker mistake and doubling down his units to really demolish the book. Power plays have yielded a very high win percentage this season.
Click Here to Access!
Ken Fields
Ken has done his homework on this game tonight and is ready for this BIG WINNER to cash! He has just released this personal Best Bet. Get on board now and profit with this huge bet. Click Here to Access!
With All-Star point guard Kemba Walker sidelined by a knee injury, veteran Jeff Teague has seen his role expand. Teague only scored four points in 21 minutes on Wednesday but he also recorded four assists and four steals.
“I thought Teague’s aggressiveness defensively in the last two games helped really spearhead us,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “I thought (Tuesday) at the end of the third, early fourth, he got his hands on a few balls, got some tips from behind. He anticipates so well.”
The Celtics are shooting 47.7 percent from the field this season and now face a Detroit team that is surrendering an average of 120.8 points per game.
Detroit finished its 116-106 home loss to Golden State on Tuesday without two starters. Blake Griffin entered the league’s concussion protocol, while lottery pick Killian Hayes injured his right ankle. Their status for the weekend series is questionable.
The revamped Pistons have stayed within striking distance in all four of their games but haven’t been able to close them out.
“Everybody in that locker room is all in,” coach Dwane Casey said. “Blake can’t catch a break, but everybody’s all in. We’ve just got to stay together through tough times, continue to build, get a togetherness and chemistry as we go out and compete. One thing is non-negotiable is playing hard — and we are doing that.”
Jerami Grant, acquired in a sign-and-trade with Denver, has been a bright spot. Grant wanted to play for a team that would expand his offensive role and he’s thriving, averaging 22.8 points on 47 percent shooting. He’s scored at least 27 points in the last three games.
“This is new for him to be the go-to guy and he’s taking it on with two hands,” Casey said. “It’s good to see. The other good thing about it, he’s not a finished product, which is great.”
—