Celtics-Heat notebook: Al Horford revealed who changed the game, plus what propelled Jayson Tatum to take over

MIAMI — The Celtics prolonged their highway win streak to 6 video games with a 103-85 defeat of the Jimmy Butler-less Miami Warmth. With the victory, they’ve received six of their final seven video games, and have a 38-16 document (simply 4 video games worse than their document at this level final yr).

They began the sport sluggish, trailing by 11 factors early within the first quarter, however got here out swinging within the second and third quarters largely because of the sturdy play of Jayson Tatum (33 factors, 8 rebounds).

However this one was an entire staff effort, with all 5 starters scoring in double-figures: Al Horford (16 factors, 10 rebounds), Kristaps Porzingis (17 factors, 9 rebounds), Derrick White (13 factors, 7 assists), Sam Hauser (15 factors).

Right here’s what stood out from on-the-ground in Miami.

Jayson Tatum goes berserk within the second half after a nasty near the primary

Jayson Tatum had a tough first half — he shot simply 3-10 from the sector and uncharacteristically completed with a team-worst +/- of -7. His efficiency was capped by what he later described as an “ill-advised three” and a few lackluster transition protection that allowed Bam Adebayo to financial institution in a 3 on the halftime buzzer.

Joe Mazzulla was visibly exasperated on the play and flung his arms in frustration. Postgame, he defined simply how a lot he values sturdy closes to the quarter.

“That stuff can value you greater than what occurs within the fourth quarter, however once you win, nobody needs to speak about it… we acquired away with it at the moment,” Mazzulla stated.

The message at halftime was clear.

“He wasn’t proud of us,” stated Al Horford.

Tatum took the problem to coronary heart.

“A number of that was on me,” he stated. “I didn’t have the identical imprint within the recreation I usually do within the first half. It was time for me to get up.”

So, the Celtics’ statistical chief in nearly each class got here out of the half on a mission. He exploded for 20 factors on 8-11 taking pictures within the third interval, serving to the Celtics’ construct a 22-point third-quarter lead.

It’s Tatum’s second consecutive recreation taking on within the third quarter; on Saturday, he scored 19 of his 40 factors in a game-sealing third in opposition to the Knicks.

However for Mazzulla, the scoring is secondary to his general play.

“He’s not simply being outlined by scoring,” Mazzulla stated. “He’s defending at a excessive stage, which is actually essential for us. He has to rebound. He has to play protection for us to be nice. He’s doing that… We simply want him to proceed to play on each ends of the ground.”

Payton Pritchard massively impacts the Celtics regardless of restricted scoring

In December, Pritchard averaged 12.3 shot makes an attempt per recreation, whereas in January, with Kristaps Porzingis again within the lineup, that quantity was slashed to eight.1 makes an attempt per evening.

Coming into the Celtics-Warmth matchup, Payton Pritchard had simply scored 20+ factors in back-to-back video games for the primary time since December.

However, at shootaround Monday, he stated he wasn’t too fearful about his scoring when requested concerning the fluctuating shot makes an attempt.

“The blessing of our staff is we have now a lot expertise,” Pritchard stated. “There’s gonna be instances the place you simply don’t see as many pictures, and so long as we’re profitable, that’s all that issues.”

“I’m gonna have peaks, after which there must be instances I don’t rating as a lot, however hopefully, I’m impacting the sport by rebounding and different issues,” he added. “I attempt to cling my hat on that. All people is aware of I’m able to scoring.”

Only a few hours later, Pritchard completely exemplified how a lot he’s more and more impacting the sport even when pictures aren’t falling. Although he made simply 2 of 9 discipline objective makes an attempt, he completed the evening with 10 rebounds and eight assists, each team-highs.

Horford credited the 6’1 guard for turning the sport round when he checked in 5 minutes into the primary quarter.

“Payton got here in and simply modified the sport together with his tempo, how he was discovering folks,” Horford stated. “That was form of contagious. As soon as he began doing that, it acquired all of us going.”

Al Horford relishes the highway Celtics followers

Kaseya Middle, like most NBA arenas, was stuffed with Celtics followers. Some reside in South Florida, whereas others made the journey to see their favourite staff in motion.

And pregame, Celtics gamers took the time to signal autographs for followers, as they sometimes do.

The world more and more seemed like a house enviornment because the Celtics’ lead mounted within the second half. After the ultimate buzzer sounded, Horford locked eyes with most of the Celtics followers who inundated the Kaseya Middle and pumped his fist within the path of a sea of inexperienced.

“It’s a privilege once you’re a Celtic and once you go to an opposing enviornment and you’ve got so many Celtics followers…and that’s the way it often is,” Horford stated.

So, the 38-year-old veteran wished to let the followers understand how a lot he appreciated the help.

“For me, it was simply taking a second to acknowledge them and have that connection,” he stated.

Horford gave followers heaps to cheer for on Monday; he tallied 16 factors and 10 rebounds within the win for his third double-double of the season. He hit 4 of 8 three-pointer makes an attempt, stepping up significantly with Jaylen Brown and Jrue Vacation out of the lineup.

Glad (third) Celtics anniversary to Derrick White!

Derrick White was traded to the Celtics from the Spurs three years in the past Monday, and upon reflecting on the commerce Monday morning, White acknowledged that he wasn’t pleased when he first realized he was being despatched out of San Antonio.

“I used to be fairly upset once I was traded, however trying again, it was in all probability the most effective factor that occurred to me,” White stated.

It would simply be among the best issues to have occurred to the Celtics, too.

For the reason that commerce came about on Feb. 10, 2022, White has the third-highest +/- within the NBA at +1608. He’s been named to the All-Protection staff twice — and was a crucial a part of the 2024 championship.

This season, White is averaging 16.1 factors, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks.

“Derrick’s only a super participant. He does all the pieces rather well,” Pritchard stated. “Doesn’t actually have a weak point. Excellent individual — enjoyable individual to be round. So, so far as the locker room goes, he helps that side.”

Mazzulla, who was an assistant coach on the Celtics’ defensive staff when the commerce was made, recalled how the teaching employees instantly checked out how he might elevate their defensive: “That was the very first thing we watched… the place he was going to make an impression, and the way we have been going to make use of his versatility.”

“He’s one of many smartest gamers I’ve ever coached,” stated the 34-year-old head coach.

Sam Hauser is (bodily) feeling higher and discovering his groove

Hauser hit 5 of 8 three-pointers en path to his third highest-scoring recreation of the season — 4 of these got here in an enormous second quarter that helped the Celtics construct some separation.

“While you see the primary one entering into, generally the rim appears just a little bit greater after that,” he stated postgame.

Hauser was restricted by a decrease again harm earlier within the season, and it’s one thing he nonetheless seems to be tending to on the sidelines.

However, he attributes his improved play of late to “feeling higher general, generally, by way of my physique.”

A enjoyable reality about Hauser is that he’s by no means shot under 40% in a single season — not in highschool, not in school, not within the G-League, and never within the NBA. For a short second, Hauser’s outstanding taking pictures effectivity appeared to be in danger, as he shot 35% from three in November. However, after Monday’s efficiency, Hauser is again as much as taking pictures 39.7% from three on the season, thanks to 3 consecutive months of taking pictures above 42%.

We are able to crunch the numbers, however Hauser’s made clear on quite a few events he’s not overly scrutinizing them.

“You’re not going to have the ability to shoot 40% every month, every week, every day,” Hauser stated. “So it’s, simply sticking to the method.”

Damage housekeeping: Vacation misses one other recreation, Warmth acquisitions debut

The Warmth’s new gamers — Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, and Andrew Wiggins — all made their Miami debuts, however mixed to shoot simply 5-25 from the sector. In the meantime, Warmth All-Star Tyler Herro missed the sport with a abdomen sickness.

On the Celtics’ aspect, Jrue Vacation missed his third consecutive recreation with a proper shoulder and Jaylen Brown sat out with proper knee tendinopathy. Torrey Craig, the Celtics’ latest addition, continues to be nursing an ankle pressure. All three gamers have been on the bench for a lot of the evening and actively cheering on the Celtics.

Pregame, Brown went via his signature handshake with every of his Celtics teammates.

NBA All-Star break looming

The Celtics have another recreation earlier than the All-Star break — in opposition to the new-look Spurs at dwelling on Wednesday. Then, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will likely be off to San Antonio, whereas the remainder of the staff will get a break.

Even the Celtics’ best gamers are trying ahead to the break.

“I like enjoying basketball, however I do like a break,” Pritchard stated. “It’ll be good, on the seaside, chilling, being with family and friends. So, I’ll take it in. I’m a traditional child on the finish of the day… go and calm down, do regular issues, have an excellent meal, perhaps have a drink.”

Pritchard additionally stated the NBA reached out to him concerning the Three-Level Contest, however that he finally declined.