The Boston Celtics have struggled in crunch time this season, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
After comfortably leading by double digits for most of the game, the well-rested Celtics suddenly found themselves in a nailbiter late in the fourth quarter. A torrid second half by James Harden turned a potential blowout into a one-possession game for several tense minutes, which has been Boston’s Achilles heel over the last few weeks.
Coming into Sunday’s game, the Celtics were 2-5 with a minus-37.2 net rating in clutch games this season, which the NBA defines as a game where the score is within five points during the final five minutes.
Boston improved those troubling numbers on Sunday, however, holding off the Clippers’ late comeback for a thrilling 121-118 victory at TD Garden.
The Celtics finished the game strong offensively, making their free throws and avoiding any fatal mistakes or turnovers. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta all contributed big buckets down the stretch, showing improved poise and decision-making under pressure.
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Their defense could have been tighter, but there was only so much they could do against a red-hot Harden, who finished with 37 points, seven rebounds and eight assists after a quiet first half.
Boston is now 7-7 after winning back-to-back games at home. The Celtics will look to stay hot and climb above .500 for the first time this season with back-to-back games against the hapless Brooklyn Nets this week.
