For the first time in five days, the Boston Celtics are playing a basketball game. Thursday’s first half against the Detroit Pistons went just about how you’d assume it would. Boston is up big after 24 minutes and they haven’t even been that sharp. Plus, they’re doing all of this without Jayson Tatum.
Now, get ready for some Halftime Hot Takes, buddy.
Rest, No Rest, Does It Even Matter??
In the Celtics’ loss to the Grizzlies on Saturday, it was clear that they were playing on tired legs. Jumpers continuously came up short and Boston eventually ran out of gas in their pursuit of a comeback win.
After the game, just about everyone who got in front of a microphone alluded to the fact that they’d just played their fifth game in seven nights.
There’s no getting around it, that’s a tough feat.
Some rest probably did them some good, right?
RIGHT?!?!
Nope, at least not right from the jump. The Celtics looked like they’d been off for too long and had forgotten how to just go out there and hoop. Through the first six minutes of this game, they scored just eight points and looked SLOPPY with a pair of turnovers.
Boston sort of found their footing by the end of the first and finished with 27 points, but it was still a tough watch.
the Pistons should be wearing their horse throwback uniforms because this game is straight outta the 90s so far
— CelticsBlog (@celticsblog) December 13, 2024
Luke Kornet, the Hero We All Expected
They got rolling en route to their 27-point first quarter when Luke Kornet checked into the game with 5:50 to play. He was a +11 in that opening stretch, scoring eight points and ripping down three boards.
It’s always pretty funny when Kornet winds up making an impact by doing the same three things every time. He rebounds, plays solid defense, and continues to be one of the league’s most reliable finishers at the rim.
The Celtics Will Be The Celtics No Matter What
You’ve read the first few sections of this.
You know how this game started.
Despite having watched one of the most disgusting stretches of the season from this team, I am now starting at the scoreboard displaying a 17-point lead for Boston.
It is remarkable how quickly they can just run away from teams. The Pistons literally blinked and they were no longer in this game.
That’s what makes the Cs great, though. Their high-volume three-point shooting forces teams to try and keep up even if they’re not capable of doing so.
Detroit finished the half 2-19 from beyond the arc and it was the big difference in this game.
