Boston Celtics: 3 Observations From 113-100 Win Vs. Anthony Davis, Pelicans

The Boston Celtics won their sixth straight game, 113-100, over the New Orleans Pelicans to improve to 16-10.

The Boston Celtics looked a lot like the gritty 48-minute team from last season in the 113-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans Monday at the TD Garden.

With Al Horford (left knee soreness), Gordon Hayward (illness), and Kyrie Irving (shoulder tightness) all sitting out with various ailments, the Celtics young stars had a chance to show out like it was 2018 NBA Playoffs.

Marcus Morris led the way for Boston, ripping the nets for five three-pointers and 31 points, while the young wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown chipped in 21 points  and 19 points, respectively.

Brown scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, hitting three three-pointers to help close the door. Tatum destroyed any and all takers off the dribble all night, making 10-of-16 field goals.

The Boston Celtics improved to 16-10 on the season, and 8-3 at home. New Orleans fell to 14-15, 4-11 on the road.

Morris Better

With Celtics leading scorer Kyrie Irving sidelined with shoulder tightness, Marcus Morris filled in as a lethal primary scoring option.

Morris loves to play New Orleans because Niko Mirotic and the Pelicans forward are not well-suited to slowing his assault.  I mean, this is barbecue chicken.

Morris scored 31 points, making 10-of-15 field goals by being in constant attack mode. The 6-foot-9 forward hit three three-pointers in a row at the beginning of the third quarter, including this mean step back over Anthony Davis to put Boston ahead 13 early the third quarter.

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Morris made 5-of-8 three-point attempts and 6-of-7 free throws in 32 minutes.

Breaking News: Anthony Davis Is Really Good

Throughout the game, I was thinking to myself, ‘Anthony Davis looks a step slow. It’s obvious its the second night of a back-to-back and he’s dealing with a sore hip. He doesn’t have his usual bounce.’

I said all that to myself, and yet he finishes with 41 points on 17-for-34 shooting from the field to go along with 7 rebounds. This face up, jab step over Daniel Theis was a Tim Duncan esque shot.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsNOLA/status/1072308351105712128

Davis also finished the game with 4 steals, but without a block. He did look less springy then normal, unsurprising if he’s dealing with a hip issue. Still, the man is so good he can put up 41 points on what half felt like an off night on the second end of a road back-to-back when he’s all banged up.

Robert Williams & Boston Youth Show Potential

With Al Horford, Aron Baynes, and Guerschon Yabusele all out due to various injuries, the youth movement was afoot at the TD Garden Monday night for the Boston Celtics.

Robert Williams played some of his first meaningful minutes as an NBA player, getting a chance to match up with superstar center Anthony Davis. In 25 minutes, the Time Lord finished with 7 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks–including a beautiful block of Davis.

Williams was not the only little-used young player who got his chance. Semi Ojeleye followed up a season-high 13 points in the beatdown of the Bulls with 11 points and 6 rebounds in 21 minutes Monday.

Terry Rozier added 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in his second start of the season.