C’s Steamrolling the Competition

The Boston Celtics return home on Wednesday night after dismantling the Raptors on Monday night to pick up their second straight win and 31st of the season. Playing without Jaylen Brown (knee), the Celtics bounced back from a sluggish third quarter to take control in the fourth quarter and pull away for a 105-96 victory. Boston’s stellar backcourt led the way with Jrue Holiday and Derrick White both scoring 22 points in the win. Holiday scored eight of his points in the fourth quarter and White scored 10 in the final period to seal the win for Boston.

“What he does for our team a lot of times goes unnoticed,” Holiday said of White. “A lot of times, too, it makes a big impact.”

The Celtics come into this game with a record of 14-2 against teams with a record of below .500 this season. They are 5th in the NBA in points per game this season. The C’s are 11th in field goal percentage and eighth in 3-point field goal percentage. Boston is first in the NBA in 3-point field goals made per game. Defensively, the Celtics are 7th in scoring defense. They are third in field goal defense and 12th in 3-point defense. The Celtics are second in the NBA in total rebounds per game and 8th in turnovers per game.

Road to Respectability Hits Beantown

The San Antonio Spurs and the Victor Wembanyama traveling show visit Boston on Wednesday night. After sitting out the second game of a back-to-back, Wembanyama nearly was able to bring his team all the way back in a second half comeback against the Hawks before falling 109-99 on Monday. Wembanyama finished the game with 26 points, all in the second half, and added 13 rebounds in a dominant performance. The rookie was rested against Saturday night as the Spurs continue to handle him the future superstar with kid gloves in his initial season in the NBA. Monday’s performance included nine dunks as Wembanyama dominated the post area.

“Our team has learned they need to throw the passes,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich of Wembanyama’s ability to score near the basket.

The Spurs come into Boston hoping to avenge a one-sided loss to the Celtics in San Antonio earlier this season. The Spurs are 23rd in the NBA in scoring offense this season. They are 28th in field goal percentage and 27th in 3-point shooting. The Spurs are 14th in the NBA in 3-point field goals per game. They are 26th in scoring defense this season. The Spurs are 24th in field goal defense and 26th in 3-point field goal defense. The Spurs are 24th in total rebounds per game this season and 25th in turnovers per game as the young team continues to go through growing pains.