Celtics scorch the Suns, balanced attack fuels 117-103 win

The Celtics took care of business tonight at home against the Phoenix Suns, opening up a 68-47 lead at the half and hanging on to win 117-103. It was a team effort tonight for the Celtics with 7 players in double figures, including all 5 starters. Isaiah Thomas had 19 points and 5 assists and Jae Crowder finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Marcus Smart notched his first career triple double with 10 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks despite only shooting 4-12 from the floor. The Celtics tallied 30 assists and shot 14-30 from three point land.

The game turned in the second quarter when Kelly Olynyk and his flowing mane went wild. In a 2:30 stretch, Olynyk poured in 13 points, including 3 threes and two nice lay-ins. The outburst fueled a nice night for Olynyk, who finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Luckily for the Celtics, the Suns don't guard anyone and rarely run plays on offense. The lone bright spot for Phoenix was big man Mirza Teletovic who poured in 22 points in 21 minutes on 4-7 shooting from beyond the arc. No idea why they don't play him more, but that's not really our problem.

Amir Johnson set the tone early with three easy buckets and the big man controlled the paint when in the game. Johnson finished the night with 13 points and 5 rebounds, an efficient 6-9 from the floor and is playing his best ball of the season.

The second half saw the pace slowed down by whistle happy referees and the Suns cut the lead to thirteen, but a three by Jerebko with 6:26 to go put the lead at 110-90 and the game was well in hand from there.

The Celts stuck to a nine man rotation again tonight, not going deep into the bench until they held a 117-101 lead with 1:16 to go.



Photo Credit USA Today/Mark J Rebilas