NBA: Dennis Schröder and Jayson Tatum turn up late

The Boston Celtics celebrated a comeback victory at the start of Martin Luther King Day. The Celts make up for a lifeless first half with a dominant display after the break – thanks largely to Dennis Schröder and Jayson Tatum. Miles Bridges dissects the MSG.

Boston Celtics (23-22) – New Orleans Pelicans (16-28) 104:92 (BOXSCORE)

With 18 points, the Celtics were behind in the first half, and the hosts didn’t do anything offensively at all. In the second half, however, Boston showed a completely different picture. A strong fourth quarter by Jayson Tatum and Dennis Schröder finally brought the Celts their fifth win in the past six games.
The home side’s appearance in the first half could best be described as lifeless and uninspired. The Celtics offense weakened with turnovers, weak shooting and a quarter-spanning eleven-minute phase in which Boston scored a measly 6 points. New Orleans sat down to 18 points without shining themselves.
Boston used a good phase just before half-time to get back within striking distance. Towards the end of the third quarter, the Celts turned the game around. A Schröder three gave Boston the first lead of the night, before Tatum took over early in the final period.
He scored 11 points in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, with the help of good plays from Schröder as well a hammer by Aaron Nesmith Boston now had everything under control. A 22:7 start in the fourth quarter put the Celts at a distance, resulting in a 17-point lead. Further buckets from Schröder finally brought the decision.
DS17 finished the game with 23 points and 9 assists at 9/16 from the field (3/5 trebles), 18 points in the second half and 11 in the fourth quarter. Only Tatum was even better, who played 21 of his game-high 27 points (9/18 FG) after the break. Jaylen Brown also had 23 points, while Jonas Valanciunas held up at the other end with 22 and 14 rebounds. Brandon Ingram cooled off after a good start (15 points, 6/19 FG and 10 boards), but seemed to have problems with his right hand in the meantime.
Corona-Protocol: Marcus Smart (Celtics).

New York Knicks (22-22) – Charlotte Hornets (24-20) 87:97 (BOXSCORE)

Madison Square Garden is always a good place for a career high – Miles Bridges probably thought so too and gave the Knicks 38 points on their way to an unchallenged victory. Including some furious things like dieser Layup inklusive Hand-Switch or this difficult threesome over the outstretched arms of two defenders.
The Hornets were without LaMelo Ball, who was on the bench after illness but was not substituted on. Bridges provided scoring and spectacle from the first second. The 23-year-old started with 22 points in the first quarter (!) like the fire brigade, Charlotte used the first section directly to gain a double-digit lead.
The guests did not look back afterwards. In the second quarter, after a brief resistance from RJ Barrett (18 and 12 rebounds) and Obi Toppin (11), the lead grew to 18 points, after the break it was even up to 23 points and that was it. Julius Randle also came up with a double-double for the Knicks, although the odds were weak (18 and 10 at 6/16 FG).
The hosts were powerless against Bridges that night. In the end, the forward had 38 points, sinking 14 of 20 from the field and 5/9 threes. Additionally, he also racked up 12 rebounds and 5 assists at +26 plus/minus. Terry Rozier provided strong support with 22 and 7 assists, with Gordan Hayward scoring 16 points.
Corona-Protokoll: Kelly Oubre Jr. (Hornets).