Key Moment
The LA Clippers nearly erased a 15-point, first-half deficit Sunday afternoon as they took on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. LA, which fell behind 29-14 during the first quarter, battled back during the second frame and cut Boston’s lead to 45-43 with 2:46 left in the half.
It appeared as if the Clippers would head into halftime with momentum on their side.
The Celtics, however, had other plans.
Boston tossed up a trio of Hail Marys during a minute-and-15-seconds span, which completely silenced LA’s run and set the stage for the Cs’ 107-102 win.
Al Horford started off the quick, 3-point barrage when he received a no-look pass from Isaiah Thomas and buried a trey from right above the right break.
Jamal Crawford responded with deep two on the other end, but Jae Crowder immediately bit back with a three that put Boston up 51-45.
Crowder then came up with a steal on LA’s next possession and immediately fed Thomas for a transition three from the right side of the arc.
Marcus Smart put a cap on the run with a putback layup, and Boston went into the half with a 56-47 lead.
The Clippers never pulled within a single possession for the remainder of the game.
Key Player
AL Horford went toe to toe with No 2 rebounder in the league Sunday afternoon as he faced off against DeAndre Jordan and the LA Clippers.
Boston’s big man responded by putting forth his greatest rebounding effort of the season.
Horford corralled exactly one third of Boston 45 rebounds as he pulled down a season-best 15 boards. While Jordan edged him by one rebound on the afternoon, Horford outplayed the All-NBA center in virtually every other category.
Horford outscored Jordan 13-6, outblocked him 2-0, doubled him up in the assist department, 6-3, and snagged two steals to Jordan’s zero.
Horford also had a plus-minute rating of plus-15, while his counterpart registered a game-low rating of minus-20.
Box Score Nuggets
- The Clippers never led during the game.
- Isaiah Thomas led all scorers with 28 points.
- Thomas also dished out a game-high eight assists.
- No Clipper recorded more than five assists.
- LA edged the Celtics in the rebounding department, 46-45.
- DeAndre Jordan corralled a game-best 16 rebounds. Al Horford finished right behind him with 15 boards.
- The Celtics had four players that made at least three 3-pointers.
- Amir Johnson had a game-high plus/minus rating of plus-18 during 28 minutes of play.
- Boston had seven players finish with double-digit scoring efforts, including all five of its starters.
- The Clippers had four players with double-digit scoring efforts, three of whom were reserves.
- Paul Pierce, in his last game at TD Garden, scored his only points on a 3-pointer during the closing seconds of regulation.
Quote of the Night
Paul Pierce on his storybook 3-pointer at the end of regulation:
“It’s a tough situation sitting for like the last two hours … I’m glad I ended it that way.”
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