BOSTON — The Celtics appeared to still be in control early in the second half on Friday night against the Cavs. They pushed their lead back out to 17 points after squandering an early 22-point edge with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown rolling at All-Star levels with in the offense.
Things changed in a hurry though at the eight minute mark of the third quarter. After scoring eight points in the first four minutes of the frame, Brown picked up two quick fouls within a minute including a controversial loose ball foul on Darius Garland.
The two quick whistles gave him four fouls and led to Joe Mazzulla immediately subbing him out of the game with Boston holding a 14-point lead and 7:08 remaining in the quarter. From there, the Cavs pushed their way back into the game with a 8-2 run and eventually closed out the quarter with a 22-11 with Brown watching from the bench.
After the loss, Brown pointed to that questionable call as a pivotal point of Boston’s 123-116 loss.
“Yeah, I think that changed the game,” Brown said. “I got an offensive foul called on the rebound and I felt like it was just in the paint, going for the basketball, and that kind of shifted the game for sure. It is what it is. Wish we could get it back. I don’t think it was a foul. I don’t think it was an offensive foul but when these little guys flop they’re just inclined to call it.”
Brown ultimately finished with four fouls in his 34 minutes but his absence created a heavy burden on Boston’s offense that was heavily reliant on Jayson Tatum and Brown in this one. The duo combined for 82 points, the most they’ve ever scored together in the same game. However, Boston’s offense managed just 34 points elsewhere, clearly missing the production of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Brown didn’t want to use those absences in an excuse though after the setback.
“Do I think we had enough to win the game? I think so, for sure,” Brown said. “We’ll look at it on film and get better and see spots we can all improve on. But regardless of who was sitting out we should have won this game.”
Brown and the Celtics will look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season on Sunday when they host the Denver Nuggets in a matinee at TD Garden.
- BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
