Friday’s win was a big one in Boston, 109-101. Here are four reasons we were able to get it done:
1) 68 points in the paint.
On a night where perimeter shots weren’t falling, we lived in the paint. We were 7-30 outside the paint but made up for it with our aggressiveness in getting to the basket.
2) Dennis Schroder stepped up when we needed him.
After Jeff Teague left the game with what looked like an injury in the third quarter, Schroder came in and played the final 16 minutes of the game without resting. He finished with a team-high 22 points on 8-15 shooting.
3) Rebounding.
When we keep the rebound numbers from getting out of control, it’s usually a good thing. The Celtics won decisively in that category last time these teams played at TD Garden, and on Friday we stayed right there with them.
4) Paul Millsap’s fourth quarter.
Millsap scored 13 of his 20 points in the final period after a slow start to the game. He’s been our rock so far this season and made several big plays down the stretch on offense to help us get the win.
Story by Jaryd Wilson
