Boston Celtics combo guard Derrick White has been the most important player for Boston this season. He’s averaging 16.6 points per game on 49.5 percent shooting from the field and 42.4 percent shooting from behind the arc. White is leading the team in 3-point percentage, assists, and steals, and is second on the team in blocks.
“I didn’t realize how good D. White was. He’s kind of under the radar a little bit, but man he’s special. The way he plays, how 90+ percent of the time he makes the right play all the time. That’s the perfect teammate you want. On top of that, he’s shooting great percentages and being super efficient. He’s special, man.”
Kristaps Porzingis on Derrick White after their last game on Christmas vs Lakers.
Kristaps Porzingis has been the curveball that head coach Joe Mazzulla talked about having throughout the offseason and we’ve seen it on the court so far this season. Hes averaging 19.6 points per game on 53.3 percent shooting from the field and 34.3 percent from behind the arc with a league best 1.44 points per play on post-ups while shooting 71.4 percent on those plays.
“We haven’t had a low post presence like that since I’ve been on the Celtics. It creates so many problems.”
Jayson Tatum on Kristaps Porzingis during postgame
Sam Hauser seems to have found himself in another slump. Over his last five games, he’s shooting 13.6 percent (3-of-22) on his 3-point shots but is still finding ways to be productive when he’s on the court. Over the same last five games of his shooting slump, he’s totaled 14 rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
Other Celtics notes and takeaways:
- Marc Stein recently reported that the Celtics are one of several teams that are “monitoring” the Utah Jazz for veteran big man and former Celtic, Kelly Olynyk. Although he would be a great addition, Olynyk’s contract is too rich for Boston to trade for without including any of their top six players. The Celtics will likely add at the deadline using the $6.2 million TPE created through the Grant Williams trade.
- Jaylen Brown customized a pair of Kobe 6’s with a picture of Kobey Bryant and his daughter Gigi for the Celtics vs Lakers game played on Christmas in LA.
- Jayson Tatum inconsistent shooting over his last five games didn’t get in the way of him contributing in other ways, totaling 34 rebounds and 23 assists in that span.
- The Celtics still remain undefeated at home (14-0).
The Celtics play two more games at home in 2023 against the Pistons and Raptors before going to San Antonio on New Year’s Eve to play the Spurs. The C’s are back at home for the first time in 2024 on Friday Jan. 5 against the Jazz.
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