Celtics-Kings takeaways: Xavier Tillman the not likely hero in C's win initially appeared on NBC Sports Boston
BOSTON– The Celtics made their 12th straight home win in awesome style Friday night.
After a slow start, that included simply 3 points scored in the very first 6 minutes, the Celtics discovered their groove and pulled ahead by 16. They brought a 30-9 face the early part of the 2nd quarter, however Sacramento's offense got up to cut the deficit to 4 points at halftime.
Boston drew back ahead by 18 before relinquishing their lead once again late in the 4th quarter. A De'Aaron Fox 3-pointer topped off a 20-1 run that provided the Kings their very first lead because the opening frame.
A not likely hero stepped up for the C's in crunch time. Xavier Tillman Jr. drilled what ended up being the game-winner with 7.4 seconds staying, raising Boston to a wild 101-100 win.
Payton Pritchard (21 points) and Kristaps Porzingis (20 points) paced the Celtics in scoring with Jaylen Brown (hand) and Derrick White (back) out. Fox dropped a game-high 40 for the Kings, consisting of 20 in the 2nd quarter.
The Celtics (61-16) will want to extend their win streak at TD Garden versus the Portland Trail Blazers (20-56) on Sunday night. Here are 3 takeaways from Friday's action.
Another huge night for the bench
Like in Wednesday's win over Oklahoma City, the Celtics' 2nd system stepped up when it required to versus Sacramento.
Trade due date addition Xavier Tillman drilled a 3-pointer to end Boston's 0-for-6 start from beyond the arc. The shot likewise ended Tillman's 0-for-10 3-point depression going back to March 14. That wasn't his most significant shot of the night.
Tillman came through in the clutch, drilling the game-winner with 7.2 seconds left on the clock:
The huge male wound up with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 helps.
Luke Kornet offered a stimulate with 6 points, 5 boards, and 2 blocks. Svi Mykhailiuk included 5 points, consisting of a 3-pointer to end up the very first quarter.
Payton Pritchard starred for the 2nd system with a team-high 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting (5-10 3-PT). Completely, the Celtics bench amounted to 43 points (17-31 FG), 18 rebounds, and 7 helps.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla checked his bench by keeping the group on the flooring in the last minutes. That choice almost backfired as Sacramento ended up the frame on a 20-3 run.
After Tillman conserved the day, Mazzulla shared what was on his mind while the reserves closed the video game out.
“This is enjoyable. This is amazing. Could not imitate a much better environment of tension, pressure, turmoil,” he stated. “It's a best environment to carry out. That's why when those guys are in, you hold them to the very same requirement that you hold everyone else to. I believed they did a fantastic task simply making plays.
