The Boston Celtics turned an 11-point second quarter deficit into a 112-93 victory over the Miami Heat Wednesday night at TD Garden.
If there is any concern about the Boston Celtics in their hot start to the season, it is their slow starts to start basketball game.
Such was the case again Wednesday night as the Celtics struggled to get things going offensively to begin the game. In playing the second of a back-to-back, it was the Miami Heat that came out triggering, jumping to an 11-point lead almost midway through the second quarter.
Led by Bam Adebayo, who had 12 of the team’s 14 points, it looked like Miami’s night until the Celtics woke up offensively and defensively. Led by the trio of Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the C’s went on a massive 42-15 fun that started in that second quarter and extended all the way to early in the fourth.
With key contributions from Semi Ojeleye, Daniel Theis and Robert Williams off the bench, the Celtics made up for the void left by Marcus Smart in the intensity and hustle department.
Jaylen Brown led the team in scoring with a season-high 31 points, Kemba Walker poured in 28, while Jayson Tatum added 19 points in the 112-93 victory to push the team to 15-5 on the season.
Here are three noteworthy performances for the Boston Celtics in Game 20 of the 2019-20 NBA season.
Kemba Walker dazzles
When Kemba Walker goes on a roll, he is hard to stop.
In Wednesday night’s 112-93 victory over the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics star guard caught fire with not only his shooting, but his passing as well as he finished the night with 28 points and 7 assists including this beauty to Jaylen Brown on the fast break:
8️⃣ ➡️ 7️⃣ https://t.co/oc3wuBCbKj
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 5, 2019
Along with knocking down buckets and dropping dimes, Walker was active on the defensive end as well. He came up with two steals and a block shot in an overall effort the team didn’t see from another star point guard who shall remain nameless a season ago.
In fact, when Kemba Walker is on his game, it is his ability to get the other players on the court involved that really stands out and why he is such a great fit for this team. It is no coincidence that the Boston Celtics are 13-0 when Walker scores 19 or more points.
Not only is he finding his own offense, but he creates opportunities for Brown and Jayson Tatum as well. With those two young studs flourishing, the addition of Kemba Walker is becoming that more significant.
Semi Ojeleye goes iron man
With no Marcus Smart, the Boston Celtics needed a player to step up and do the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.
On Wednesday night, Semi Ojeleye was that man. With just five points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes played, Ojeleye did fill up the stats sheet, but it’s the fact that he gave the team 24 minutes of effort off the bench that is earning praise.
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In at one point playing 16 consecutive minutes, the work ethic, communication on defense and versatility with his 6-foot-7, 240-pound frame was on display.
During the team’s 32-16 run during the second quarter to help the Celtics extinguish a 8 point Heat lead into a 8-point advantage, Ojeleye was out there leading the charge on the defensive end just like Marcus Smart does when he is on the court.
That recognition was not only applauded by Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, but also Kemba Walker who finished the game with 28 points.
"“He was really loud, talking behind the defense, making sure everyone was in the right spots,” Walker said following the game, via Celtics.com. “That’s who Semi is for us. He’s a great player and we need him to be great defensively, make open shots like he’s doing, making the hustle plays. He’s always the first one to the floor, and that’s what we need from him.”"
After Boston Celtics first-round pick Grant Williams started the game, it was great to see Ojeleye come in and pick up the slack by inserting some intensity to the lineup and ignited a stretch of defense that ultimately led to a blowout win.
Jaylen Brown continues to ascend
Remember how the Boston Celtics were rumored to be in on Jimmy Butler almost every NBA trade deadline over the last few years?
Well, Jaylen Brown is making fans and Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge glad that deal never became a reality.
After getting off to a slow start, Brown caught fire against the Miami Heat to lead the team with a season-high 31 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 shooting behind the 3-point stripe.
Along with his ability to score from anywhere on the court, Brown’s defense and aggressive nature has him looking like a younger version of Jimmy Butler as he is now averaging 19.3 points a game and looking like an All-Star.
That is why Kemba Walker feels he is the X-factor on the team when he is on his game and playing with confidence.
"“When Jaylen gets going, I think he’s the X-factor for us,” Walker said, via Jay King of The Athletic. “When he has it going he definitely gives us a lot more options – and he’s been playing well all year.”"
As we’ve learned from Jaylen Brown the last couple of seasons, he is going to get better and that is a good thing for the Boston Celtics, especially when they are fully healthy with both Marcus Smart and Gordon Hayward back in the lineup.