In 1973, the Boston Celtics won five road games in a row, the most in NBA history. However, the team surpassed their own record with six victories after beating the Memphis Grizzlies last Monday. In this week’s edition of Tyler’s Take, I am breaking down all six matches that led to the franchise rewriting history.
Utah Jazz
In the Celtics’ 121-99 win over the Utah Jazz, Kristaps Porzingis put on a dominant performance, nearly securing a triple-double. The center finished with 27 points, knocking down three for five from deep and six for 10 within the field. Moreover, the 29-year-old grabbed 10 boards and dished out six assists. In addition, Jayson Tatum notched a 26-point game, making just three of his 10 attempts from three. However, he went eight for 15 from within the arc. To add on, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser dropped a combined total of 32 points coming off the bench.
Portland Trail Blazers
Despite Porzingis and Jrue Holiday not participating against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Celtics still took the 129-116 win. Tatum topped the team with 30 points, dropping 10 for 17 from within the paint, but struggled beyond the arc, shooting one for seven. In addition, the leader snagged nine balls and assisted nine players, nearly finishing with a triple-double. Furthermore, Hauser had a night, putting up 24 points from the three-point line. Additionally, Pritchard saw his first career start for the franchise, ending the night with 16 points.
Sacramento Kings
In the Celtics’ 113-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Tatum, for the second night, led in points scored and assists. Despite leaving late in the third quarter with an ankle injury, the former Duke Blue Devil cashed in 25 points, nailing five of nine three-pointers and three of six shots from the field. To add on, the forward set up eight teammates for assists. Besides Tatum, Pritchard dropped 22 points off the bench, the second highest for the team. He finished five of 13 from deep and three of five on two-pointers.
Phoenix Suns
Regardless of Tatum not playing due to an ankle sprain, the Celtics handed the Phoenix Suns a 30-point deficit loss. Porzingis returned and dominated the court, putting up 30 points. The big man nearly went perfect from three, making four of his five shots and knocking down six of 10 attempts from field goal range. In addition, Jaylen Brown became runner-up with 24 points, landing four of nine beyond the arc and three of six shots within the paint. To add on, Holiday, Al Horford and Derrick White each contributed 16 points for a combined total of 48 points. Moreover, Horford led the team with 10 rebounds, while White had seven assists.
San Antonio Spurs
The Celtics defeated the San Antonio Spurs 121-111, with Tatum ending with a double-double after missing the previous match. The star cashed in 29 points, going eight for 13 from two but only making two of his nine attempts from deep. However, the 27-year-old hauled in 10 boards and dished out eight balls. Holiday went five for seven outside the perimeter and buried three of five field goals. Luke Kornet came off the bench hot, converting seven of 10 jumpers and snatching a career-high of 16 rebounds.
Memphis Grizzlies
In the final away game, the Celtics knocked off the Memphis Grizzlies 117-103. After checking in, Horford proved that age does not matter, as the 38-year-old led the team with a season-high of 26 points. With 37 minutes of court time, the veteran drained six of 13 three-point attempts and went three for five within the arc. Tatum sat behind Horford with 25 points and 14 boards. To add on, White passed Isaiah Thomas with 246 made threes in a single season in Celtics’ history, per X.
In the month of March, the Celtics held a 14-1 record, and nothing looks to stop them now. With seven contests remaining, the team is “trending in the right direction at the right time,” said Tatum when asked about the postseason, according to Sports Illustrated.