Jaylen Brown’s career night lifts Celtics past Grizzlies
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
A night after Jayson Tatum turned in a statement performance, it was Jaylen Brown’s turn in the spotlight. Playing the second half of a road-home back-to-back on Wednesday, the Celtics’ 24-year-old forward put together a career performance.
Brown found himself unable to miss, as the Celtics topped the Memphis Grizzlies 126-107. While Brown was the star, it was a truly complete effort. Both the points scored and allowed by the Celtics are season-bests.
The Celtics got off to a hot start, with a Brown three-pointer giving the team a 10-4 lead before the first timeout. However, during that stretch Daniel Theis injured his hand contesting a shot and left the game.
Theis returned with his hand wrapped later in the quarter, and was able to contribute with six points. That helped propel the Celtics to a 31-19 lead after one quarter.
As had been the case often to start the season, the second quarter started with Jayson Tatum showing out. The 22-year-old hit a trio of consecutive three pointers in the first five minutes of the frame. That extended his total to a game-high 14 points, and the Celtics’ lead to 46-30 at the first TV break of the quarter.
Every bucket from JB's career-high 42-point night. pic.twitter.com/UlI6WGiIWe
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 31, 2020
From there, Brown took the wheel. He dropped 18 (!) points in the second quarter, and hit his first six (!) three point attempts, leaving him with 26 points at the half. His lights-out shooting put Boston squarely in control, up 66-40 at halftime.
By the third quarter, Brown had set a new career high, with a pair of free throws late in the period giving him his first 40-point game. He had 42 by the end of the quarter, with the Celtics up 96-71.
With the healthy lead, the Celtics were able to play a number of reserves early in the fourth quarter. Caren Edwards, Tacko Fall, and others played the final six minutes for Boston.
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 30: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden on December 30, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Along with his 42 points, Brown turned in five rebounds, four assists, and a +22 rating. With Brown carrying the load, only two other Celtics scored in double figures – Jayson Tatum (16) and Marcus Smart (14). Every Celtic played, and scored at least two points.
Coming off the bench, Robert Williams gave the C’s a team-high and personal season-high 10 rebounds.
With the win, the Celtics climb back over .500 and are now 3-2 on the year. After this one game in Boston, the team now heads on the road for four straight, starting with a two-game set in Detroit. They’ll play the first of those matchups Friday, New Years Day, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m..
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected]
