Boston Celtics news 365: What’s not to love about Marcus Morris
The Boston Celtics continue to win despite a rash of injuries and Marcus Morris is one of the main reasons for their success.
Let’s go back to the end of the Boston Celtics win over the Eastern Conference leading Toronto Raptors Saturday night.
With the game clearly over, Celtics forward Marcus Morris took exception to a late foul by Toronto’s CJ Miles with just seconds left. The back and forth between the two drew a double technical. To add insult to injury, Morris was disqualified after the referees assessed another double technical (this time along with DeMar DeRozan) while the Celtics forward was attempting free throws.
Morris, who scored a team-high 25 points in the 110-99 victory, refused to go quietly into the night despite his team’s win. While the second technical may have been a bit much, his response to the ejection was something that made all Celtics fans smile.
Not only did Morris give referee James Williams a pat on his backside for making the call, Morris excited the court by pumping his arms up to get the crowed extra revved up. It was both a show of leadership and that “Beantown Bully” attitude Marcus Morris said he would bring to the team prior to the season.
https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/980267960685285376
It also set the tone for things to come between the two teams. With a rematch on the horizon on Wednesday night, along with a possible collision in the playoffs, Morris felt the heated exchange was necessary in letting the Raptors know his team isn’t going to allow their path in the Eastern Conference to be an easy one.
"“For sure, it definitely set the tempo,” Morris said, via ESPN. “However they want to do it, we can do it. Play hard, couple of guys stepped up and played a really good team game, spread it out, defended really well, [and Boston’s] zone [defense] killed them.”"
The hot hand
What also killed the Raptors was the hot shooting of Marcus Morris. With his 25 points came some really clutch shots at times when the team really needed offense.
Without Kyrie Irving, the ability to create his own shot from various spots on the floor is what has made Morris valuable the last few weeks.
In the last four games alone, he has scored 20 or more points and has given the team the kind of edge that has definitely rubbed off on players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier.
With the playoffs on the horizon, the play of Marcus Morris down the stretch has made that Avery Bradley trade look like a steal for the Boston Celtics. It has also put Morris on the map around the NBA and in the hearts of Celtics fans.
"“When I first got here people knew who I was,” Morris said following the game. So it’s not different. I think they’re just starting to love me more. I think they liked me, but now they’re starting to love me, so I appreciate that.”More from Chowder and Champions3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster DeadlineMLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 SeasonRed Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win"
Love him on the court that is. The one thing Boston Celtics fans may not love is that Philadelphia Eagles jersey he wore during Super Bowl Sunday.
Coach’s corner
Yes, his team just came off a big win against the top team in the Eastern Conference, but Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens is not too concerned about regaining the top seed.
With the injuries the team has endured this season, Stevens is more concerned how the team is performing in these last few games heading into the playoffs. If they play well, he feels things will take care of themselves as far as the standings go.
"“There’s value to winning the next game and preparing to win the next game,” Stevens said, via the Boston Herald. “And then all those things figure themselves out at the end. I don’t think about it. We don’t talk about it. We just try to win the next game.”"
While Stevens is focused on health and team chemistry, Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey is concerned with finishing with that No. 1 seed. Because of that, don’t expect the Raptors to rest players during these last couple weeks. With the Celtics just two games behind, both teams are already in playoff mode.
Next: The 5 greatest Boston Celtics forwards of all time
Wednesday night in Toronto should be interesting indeed.