Game ID: 22301134
Portland Trail Blazers @ Boston Celtics
Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 6:00 PM ET
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
BOS 30 33 30 31 124POR 24 32 29 22 107
BOS vs POR ScoutingBOS vs POR Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
BOS availability going into 3/30 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 3 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 3/28 after 5, 36 min since (108% of 34)
BACK Hauser back 3/22 after 2, 26 min since (128% of 21)
NEW Horford 28 to 35 min over the last 3
NEW Pritchard 22 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Brissett 10 to 16 min over the last 3
BOS availability going into 4/01 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 4 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Brissett missed 2 since 3/28, returns tonight: 13 min (126% of 10)
BACK Holiday back 3/28 after 5, 36 min since (106% of 34)
BACK Hauser back 3/22 after 2, 24 min since (115% of 21)
NEW Pritchard 22 to 27 min over the last 5
BOS availability going into 4/03 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 5 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 3/28 after 5, 34 min since (100% of 34)
BACK Brissett back 4/01 after 2, 13 min since (126% of 10)
NEW Porziņģis 29 to 34 min over the last 4
BOS availability going into 4/05 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 6 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 3/28 after 5, 33 min since (99% of 34)
BACK Brissett back 4/01 after 2, 8 min since (80% of 10)
BOS availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 7 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 3/28 after 5, 33 min since (97% of 34)
BACK Brissett back 4/01 after 2, 8 min since (74% of 10)
BOS availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 8 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Brissett back 4/01 after 2, 8 min since (77% of 10)
BOS availability going into 4/11 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 9 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Brissett back 4/01 after 2, 8 min since (74% of 10)
NEW Pritchard 22 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Hauser 21 to 27 min over the last 5
BOS availability going into 4/12 · back-to-backOUT Queta missed 10 since 3/23, returns tonight: 18 min (160% of 11)
NEW Hauser 21 to 27 min over the last 5
BOS availability going into 4/14 · 1 day's restBACK Queta back 4/12 after 10, 18 min since (160% of 11)
NEW Pritchard 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Hauser 21 to 29 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 3 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 36 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Ayton missed 4 since 3/22, returns tonight: 25 min (76% of 32)
OUT Thybulle missed 5 since 3/20, returns tonight: 7 min (31% of 23)
OUT Moore missed 26 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Hagans back 3/23 after 4, 20 min since (122% of 17)
BACK Minaya back 3/25 after 2, 3 min since (31% of 11)
BACK Badji back 3/27 after 5, 2 min since (16% of 10)
NEW Camara 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Reath 18 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Rupert 16 to 24 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 4/01 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 4 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 37 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 27 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Ayton back 3/29 after 4, 25 min since (76% of 32)
BACK Thybulle back 3/29 after 5, 7 min since (31% of 23)
BACK Hagans back 3/23 after 4, 20 min since (122% of 17)
BACK Minaya back 3/25 after 2, 6 min since (52% of 11)
BACK Badji back 3/27 after 5, 5 min since (52% of 10)
NEW Camara 25 to 34 min over the last 4
NEW Murray 22 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Reath 18 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Rupert 16 to 25 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 4/03 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 5 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 38 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 28 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Ayton back 3/29 after 4, 30 min since (94% of 32)
BACK Thybulle back 3/29 after 5, 7 min since (31% of 23)
BACK Hagans back 3/23 after 4, 18 min since (111% of 17)
BACK Minaya back 3/25 after 2, 6 min since (52% of 11)
BACK Badji back 3/27 after 5, 5 min since (52% of 10)
NEW Banton 29 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Camara 25 to 35 min over the last 3
NEW Walker 24 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Rupert 16 to 27 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 4/05 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 6 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 39 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 2 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 2 since 4/01, returns tonight: 26 min (228% of 11)
OUT Badji missed 2 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 29 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Ayton back 3/29 after 4, 33 min since (101% of 32)
NEW Banton 29 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Henderson 28 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Walker 24 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Rupert 16 to 31 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 7 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 40 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 3 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 3 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 30 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Ayton back 3/29 after 4, 35 min since (107% of 32)
BACK Minaya back 4/05 after 2, 26 min since (228% of 11)
NEW Henderson 28 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Walker 24 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Rupert 16 to 33 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 8 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 41 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 4 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Hagans missed 2 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 4 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 31 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Ayton back 3/29 after 4, 35 min since (107% of 32)
BACK Minaya back 4/05 after 2, 24 min since (217% of 11)
NEW Henderson 28 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Walker 24 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Rupert 16 to 32 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 4/11 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 9 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 42 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 5 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Hagans missed 3 since 4/05, returns tonight: 14 min (82% of 17)
OUT Badji missed 5 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 32 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Minaya back 4/05 after 2, 23 min since (208% of 11)
NEW Henderson 28 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Walker 24 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Rupert 16 to 33 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 4/12 · back-to-backOUT Simons missed 10 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 43 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 6 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 6 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Moore missed 33 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Hagans back 4/11 after 3, 14 min since (82% of 17)
BACK Minaya back 4/05 after 2, 25 min since (222% of 11)
NEW Henderson 28 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Walker 24 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Rupert 16 to 32 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 4/14 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 11 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 44 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 7 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Badji missed 7 since 4/01, returns tonight: 10 min (99% of 10)
OUT Moore missed 34 since 1/31, returns tonight: 30 min (298% of 10)
BACK Hagans back 4/11 after 3, 14 min since (82% of 17)
BACK Minaya back 4/05 after 2, 26 min since (228% of 11)
NEW Banton 29 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Henderson 28 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Walker 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 22 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Rupert 16 to 31 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 104, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 17 free throws a game; Tatum at 24 and Porziņģis at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 14 free throws a game; Ayton at 24 and Banton at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Simons (7 straight), Sharpe (40 straight), Thybulle (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 15 times a game to Boston's 10 and the arc, Boston at 37 percent from three to Portland's 31. Call it Boston 117, Portland 103, Boston by 14.
3/30 @ NOP 104-92 — BOS notes
BOS won 104-92. BOS shot 48% (39 of 82) to NOP's 40%, 15 of 37 from three, and got to the line 12 times to NOP's 18. The glass went 51-41 for them. Tatum led with 23 (10 of 17, 3 of 6 from three); Porziņģis added 19, Brown 17. The hinge was Q3, 24-11: a lead of 2 became 15, and the lead reached 22. Porziņģis was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
4/01 @ CHA 118-104 — BOS notes
BOS won 118-104. BOS shot 48% (43 of 89) to CHA's 45%, 19 of 53 from three. The glass went 51-40 for them. Tatum led with 25 (9 of 19, 4 of 10 from three); Hauser added 25, Porziņģis 20. The hinge was Q3, 36-26: a lead of 6 became 16, and the lead reached 19. Tatum was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
4/03 vs OKC 135-100 — BOS notes
BOS won 135-100. BOS shot 54% (50 of 92) to OKC's 43%, 17 of 40 from three, and got to the line 19 times to OKC's 28. The glass went 46-31 for them. Porziņģis led with 27 (11 of 14, 3 of 3 from three); Tatum added 24, Brown 23. The hinge was Q4, 42-17: a lead of 10 became 35. Horford was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
4/05 vs SAC 101-100 — BOS notes
BOS won 101-100. BOS shot 43% (38 of 89) to SAC's 38%, 12 of 44 from three. Pritchard led with 21 (8 of 16, 5 of 10 from three); Porziņģis added 20, Tatum 17. The hinge was Q1, 27-15: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 19.
4/07 vs POR 124-107 — BOS notes
BOS won 124-107. BOS shot 56% (49 of 87) to POR's 39%, 16 of 38 from three. The glass went 40-53 against them. Brown led with 26 (10 of 17, 3 of 5 from three); Pritchard added 20, White 15. The hinge was Q4, 31-22: a lead of 8 became 17. Pritchard was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
4/09 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 30 and Middleton at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Beverley (3 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 101, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 16 free throws a game; Tatum at 22 and Brown at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 101 a night to Milwaukee's 116 and the line, where Milwaukee takes 24 free throws a game to Boston's 16. Call it Boston 117, Milwaukee 111.
4/11 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 103, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 13 free throws a game; Tatum at 22 and Brown at 21 a game. One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brunson at 36 and DiVincenzo at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the line, where New York takes 23 free throws a game to Boston's 13 and the arc, New York at 42 percent from three to Boston's 36. Call it Boston 114, New York 109.
4/12 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 106, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 13 free throws a game; Tatum at 20 and Brown at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Miller at 23 and Bridges at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the line, where Charlotte takes 20 free throws a game to Boston's 13 and the defense, Boston allowing 106 a night to Charlotte's 114. Call it Boston 116, Charlotte 107.
4/14 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 12 free throws a game; Tatum at 19 and Pritchard at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Poole at 26 and Avdija at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Jones (15 straight), Holmes (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 105 a night to Washington's 124 and the line, where Washington takes 24 free throws a game to Boston's 12. Call it Boston 121, Washington 110, Boston by 11.
3/29 @ MIA 82-142 — POR notes
POR lost 82-142. POR shot 40% (35 of 87) to MIA's 59%, 5 of 30 from three, and got to the line just 11 times against 19 fouls committed. POR turned it over 23 times to MIA's 8, and MIA turned those into 17 steals. Henderson led with 20 (8 of 18, 1 of 5 from three); Ayton added 18, Banton 12. Q1 was theirs, 19-29, but the other 3 periods went 113-63 against them. Henderson's -58 in 41 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/01 @ ORL 103-104 — POR notes
POR lost 103-104. POR took 14 more shots (90 to 76), fed by 11 offensive rebounds, but shot 44% to ORL's 47%, 11 of 31 from three, and got to the line 15 times to ORL's 27. POR turned it over 9 times to ORL's 15. Banton led with 26 (8 of 17, 4 of 8 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Ayton added 20, Walker 18. Q4 was theirs, 30-21, the deficit cut from 10 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 83-73 against them.
4/03 @ CHA 89-86 — POR notes
POR won 89-86. POR shot 40% (37 of 93) to CHA's 41%, 7 of 26 from three, and got to the line 12 times to CHA's 22. POR turned it over 15 times to CHA's 9, and CHA turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 55-36 for them. Ayton led with 24 (12 of 22); Henderson added 22, Walker 14. The hinge was Q1, 30-21: from level to 9 ahead. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +7.
4/05 @ WAS 108-102 — POR notes
POR won 108-102. POR shot 44% (41 of 94) to WAS's 43%, 9 of 29 from three, and got to the line 24 times to WAS's 30. The glass went 55-45 for them. Ayton led with 34 (13 of 25, 8 of 9 at the line); Banton added 21, Henderson 19. The hinge was Q1, 32-27: from level to 5 ahead. Banton was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
4/07 @ BOS 107-124 — POR notes
POR lost 107-124. POR took 15 more shots (102 to 87), fed by 22 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to BOS's 56%, 14 of 38 from three. The glass went 53-40 for them. Banton led with 28 (11 of 23, 3 of 9 from three); Ayton added 22, Henderson 15. Q2 was theirs, 32-33, but the other 3 periods went 91-75 against them. Rupert's -24 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/09 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 112, shooting 41 percent and 30 from three, 15 free throws a game; Ayton at 24 and Banton at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Simons (8 straight), Sharpe (41 straight), Thybulle (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; McCollum at 27 and Williamson at 25 a game. Without Ingram (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-3 and the arc, New Orleans at 38 percent from three to Portland's 30. Call it New Orleans 111, Portland 108, Portland keeping it close.
4/11 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 105, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 14 free throws a game; Ayton at 26 and Banton at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Simons (9 straight), Sharpe (42 straight), Thybulle (5 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 110, shooting 52 percent and 47 from three, 15 free throws a game; Thompson at 24 and Curry at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Šarić (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Golden State at 47 percent from three to Portland's 33. Call it Golden State 113, Portland 110, Portland keeping it close.
4/12 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 104, shooting 41 percent and 31 from three, 15 free throws a game; Ayton at 27 and Henderson at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Simons (10 straight), Sharpe (43 straight), Thybulle (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 126, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 26 free throws a game; VanVleet at 25 and Smith Jr. at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-9 a night and Houston minus-9 and the defense, Portland allowing 104 a night to Houston's 126. Call it Portland 113, Houston 111, Houston keeping it close.
4/14 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 107, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Fox at 30 and Murray at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 110, shooting 41 percent and 32 from three, 18 free throws a game; Ayton at 23 and Banton at 22 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Simons (11 straight), Sharpe (44 straight), Thybulle (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Sacramento 114, Portland 106.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
BOSAH A. Horford
DW D. White
JB J. Brown
JH J. Holiday
JS J. Springer
KP K. Porziņģis
LK L. Kornet
OB O. Brissett
PP P. Pritchard
PO Porzingis
SH S. Hauser
SM S. Mykhailiuk
XT X. Tillman
PORDA D. Ayton
DB D. Banton
DR D. Reath
JM J. Minaya
JW J. Walker
KM K. Murray
RR R. Rupert
SH S. Henderson
BOS/POR the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Jaylen Brown scores 26 points and reaches 10,000 in his career in Celtics' 124-107 win over Portland
BOSTON -- — Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and reached 10,000 in his NBA career, leading the Boston Celtics past the Portland Trail Blazers 124-107 on Sunday night for their 13th straight home victory.
Kristaps Porzingis had his third straight double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in just 27 minutes for NBA-leading Boston.
Payton Pritchard scored 20 points, Derrick White had 15 and Jrue Holiday 12 for the Celtics, who have won 14 of their last 16 overall.
“The type of guy that he is, the hard work that he puts in and the growth that he's shown this year to become a complete player at both ends of the floor, I know he's happy about that," Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said of Brown's career achievement. “It's cool to be able to coach guys that get to those type of milestones and be a part of that.”
Dalano Banton led Portland with 28 points and Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jabari Walker added 14 points and 18 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who finished 2-5 on their seven-game road trip.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum sat out because of a right knee contusion. It was the sixth game missed for the team’s leading scorer (27.0 points per game).
Boston locked up the league’s best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs last week.
Playing in his eighth season, the 27-year-old Brown reached 10,000 points with a driving left-handed scoop shot in the opening minute of the second half.
During the game’s next timeout, the PA announcer informed the crowd that he reached the milestone and the TD Garden crowd gave him a standing ovation. He walked onto the court, waved and smiled before play resumed.
“It was great, especially all of the supporters who have supported me from Day One," Brown said of the ovation. “Obviously, things have been up-and-down throughout the early stages of my career and I've been able to get different opportunities, been able to improve, but also been able to gain more responsibility. ... For the JB fans who stayed in my corner from Day One, I feel that love.”
Boston was up by eight in the final quarter before putting it away with consecutive 3-pointers from Sam Hauser and Xavier Tillman that closed a 12-0 spree, making it 112-94 with just over four minutes left.
The Celtics took the lead on Brown’s basket late in the first quarter and never trailed again.
During pregame lineup introductions, the Celtics congratulated Portland coach Chauncey Billups on being elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Billups and Vince Carter headed a 13-member class that was announced Saturday.
“That was very nice of them,” Billups said of the crowd's ovation. “I'm very appreciative of that. ... My time here was short, but it was good. I enjoyed being a Celtic for the cup of coffee, if you will. This is an incredible sports town, rich history with the Celtics. I was a part of it for a small amount of time. I appreciate the fact that they appreciate my time here.”
Billups was drafted by the Celtics but traded early in his rookie season.
White left Boston's locker room after the game wearing a Billups' Colorado jersey from the Hall of Famer's college days.
Early in the first quarter, Boston welcomed back former center Robert Williams III along with guard Malcolm Brogdon . Both were traded to Portland in an offseason deal that landed them Holiday. There was a picture of Williams with his nickname “Time Lord” on the video board.