Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE through Getty Photographs
The Boston Celtics are nonetheless good at basketball.
The reigning NBA champions did not simply decide up the place they left off in Tuesday’s season opener in opposition to the New York Knicks. They went out and tied an NBA file within the course of on the best way to a 132-109 victory.
Al Horford’s three-pointer within the fourth quarter gave Boston 29 made triples within the recreation, which tied the NBA file. The Milwaukee Bucks additionally hit 29 three-pointers throughout a victory over the Miami Warmth in December 2020.
The perimeter barrage began instantly.
Jayson Tatum launched a three-pointer on the primary possession of the season, and it discovered the underside of the web. It was the primary of 10 three-pointers within the opening quarter alone because the Celtics jumped out to a commanding 43-24 lead and by no means appeared again.
All that was left to resolve was whether or not the house workforce would set the file, and it mockingly went ice chilly down the stretch with 13 missed three-pointers in a row after hitting 29.
Jaylen Brown informed reporters after the sport that it was just like the Celtics “bought jinxed or one thing” whereas making an attempt to go for the file.
Noa Dalzell 🏀 @NoaDalzell
Jaylen Brown on the three level file:
“It was virtually like we bought jinxed or one thing. After we have been taking part in, having enjoyable, taking part in our model of basketball, every part was getting in. As soon as the group bought into it, and we began searching them, we could not hit the brilliant facet of the barn.” pic.twitter.com/s3XqqV1EfS
Whereas the Knicks have been those who made loads of offseason headlines by buying and selling for Karl-Anthony Cities, Tuesday’s efficiency was a reminder to New York and the remainder of the NBA that Boston continues to be the workforce to beat.
Tatum was a superb 8-of-11 from three-point vary on his method to 37 factors. All 5 starters related on no less than three photographs from past the arc with Brown hitting 5 and Derrick White making six.
Maybe the scariest factor is the truth the Celtics are solely going to get higher when Kristaps Porziņģis returns from his foot harm.
Porziņģis is a nightmare matchup for opposing frontcourts due to his personal means to shoot from three-point vary, which helps him work in pick-and-pops and make the most of the spacing that comes with taking part in alongside Tatum and Brown. Had he performed Tuesday, the Celtics could have damaged the file as an alternative of simply tying it.
Subsequent up for the Celtics is a street recreation in opposition to the Washington Wizards on Thursday, and they’ll look to maintain rolling after a dominant displaying.