The Boston Celtics ended their first road trip of the season on a high note, notching their first win of the season on Monday night with a 122-90 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans.
After starting the season 0-3, the Celtics took care of business in New Orleans against the winless Pelicans, who were without their best player (Zion Williamson) and faded late.
Boston continued its trend of winning the first quarter, which it’s done in all four of its games this year. However, the Celtics’ impressive finish was more noteworthy, as they ended the game on a dazzling 31-4 run.
Joe Mazzulla’s squad turned in its best performance of the year on both sides of the ball. Boston’s 122 points scored and 90 points allowed were both season bests, producing the team’s first victory of the new campaign.
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The Celtics were balanced on offense with six players scoring in double digits, led by Anfernee Simons’ season-high 25 points in 32 minutes off the bench.
Josh Minott played well in his first career start, falling just short of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. Luka Garza also shone with 16 points and six rebounds in just 19 minutes off the bench.
Boston’s blowout allowed Mazzulla to give his starters some much-needed rest in the fourth quarter to close out the team’s first back-to-back of the season. The Celtics are off on Tuesday before hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on Wednesday, so they’ll try to pick up where they left off and carry over their strong play from Monday.
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