By Darryl Harding Sr –
Finding themselves trailing, after an abysmal defensive start, Celtics were in an unfamiliar position, being outscored in the first quarter 36-25. Even with Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum’s production, the Celtics still found themselves behind at halftime 60-50.
Tatum’s double-double, 10 rebounds and 28 points, combined with 22 points from Brown, as well as a solid 20 points from Jrue Holiday, Boston continued to struggle and with Zion Williamson (26 pts,) and Brandon Ingram (28 pts,) seeming to score even when faced with staunch defense, the Celtics went into the final quarter still lagging.
Although outscoring the Pelicans in quarters two and three, it wasn’t until halfway through the 4th quarter, when Derek White hit a drought-ending, three-pointer that the Celtics finally closed the gap and took the lead. Looking towards the heavens, as if to thank the basketball gods for ending his dry spell, White persisted to sink shots and thwart the Pelicans quest to hand the Celtics a home loss.
Consistently dominating at home Celtics reluctantly found themselves in a position where only resilience would prevail. “This expectation that it’s supposed to go a certain way all the time is… extremely unhealthy and we have to just continue to play regardless of whether… down five or eight, it doesn’t matter,” said Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla.
New Orleans now 26-21 for the season will travel to Houston to face the Rockets Wednesday January 31 at 8:00pm while the Celtics, 36-11, will continue their home stand tonight against the Pacers at 7:30pm.