By Darryl Harding Sr –
With two minutes passed in the game the Portland Trail Blazers led the Boston Celtics 7-5, this would be the first and last time that Portland led Boston throughout the game. It’s safe to say that the Celtics controlled the game from beginning to end and never relinquishing the lead, the Celtics forged on to their NBA high 50th win of the season.
Considering Drew Holiday and Kristap Porzingis sidelined with injury, Payton Pritchard, born in Oregon, got to start in front of his hometown friends and family. Dominating in every stat category and doubling in steals and blocks, the Celtics pelted the Trailblazers hitting 15 3-pointers out of 40 attempts.
Sam Houser, going 6-10 from the three-point line, had a career high 22 points which when added with Jason Tatum’s 26 and Jaylen Brown’s 27 led the Celtics to the 50 game win mark with only 18 games left to go in the season. Despite Deandre Ayton’s 5th recorded double-double in a row, with 22 points and 15 rebounds, the Celtics still managed to dominate throughout the game.
“One thing I love about the team,” said Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, in reference to the Celtics, “they don’t get tired of playing the right way.” Rolling comfortably with clarity and chemistry the Celtics have already clinched the playoff spot and look to end the season strong in anticipation of the playoffs to come.
Boston will travel to play the Utah Jazz on Tuesday while the Trailblazers host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.