BOSTON – After changing into the fifth participant in NBA postseason historical past to make not less than 20 3-pointers in three consecutive video games, Derrick White was requested if he felt like he was in a rhythm.
“I’d say so,” White stated with a smile after scoring 25 factors to steer the Boston Celtics to a 120-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Recreation 1 of their Jap Convention semifinal collection on Tuesday night time.
“It feels good … I simply wish to assist us win.
White actually did in Recreation 1. He continued his taking pictures fireplace to begin these playoffs by going 7-for-12 from deep — together with 4-for-6 in a 14-point third quarter — and improved to 20-for-37 (54%) in Boston’s final three playoff video games.
He’s the fifth participant to make 20 or extra 3-pointers in three postseason video games, becoming a member of Stephen Curry (3 times), Klay Thompson (2016), Jamal Murray (2020) and Damian Lillard (2021 and 2024 mixed). .
White’s newest scorching taking pictures was greater than sufficient to place the sport away for the Celtics, who improved to 5-1 within the playoffs with a recreation that principally resembled a November or December recreation than the primary week of Might.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was requested how a lot White being aggressive on the shot helps Boston’s offense total.
“It is necessary as a result of it means he is normally taking pictures as a result of we’re both out in transition, we set actually good screens and he is received it, or there is a two-on-1 and we’re making further passes,” Mazzulla stated.
“So I believe with these guys getting increasingly pictures, it means we’re attending to completely different layers of our offense, which is necessary in opposition to a group like this.
That additionally performed a task in opening up the ground for Jaylen Brown, who completed with 32 factors on 12-for-18 taking pictures to go together with six rebounds, two assists and only one turnover. Brown and White powered a Boston offense that might kind of do no matter it needed in opposition to a Cavaliers group barely 48 hours faraway from surviving a rocky Recreation 7 in opposition to the Orlando Magic.
“There’s numerous areas we will enhance on,” Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff stated. “I assumed the fellows got here out with the best intent and the best effort. Dealing with a group like Boston, I believe it is good to play them. You are not used to hurry, spacing, taking pictures and all that stuff.” issues till you go up in opposition to them, particularly coming off a streak that we simply got here off of that was extra of a half-court slugfest the place you play with extra tempo, extra space.
“We’ll be taught from it and be higher on Thursday.”
The Cavaliers should be to have an opportunity to make this collection aggressive. Boston recovered from going 6-for-22 from lengthy vary within the first half to tug away from Cleveland on the break regardless of a 33-point efficiency from star Donovan Mitchell.
Boston has been ready to take action largely because of White’s newest spectacular taking pictures efficiency, only a few seasons faraway from his struggles from deep throughout Boston’s run to the 2022 NBA Finals.
“Derrick White has grown up,” Brown stated. “He is a brand new model that we’ve not seen earlier than. He is put within the work, his physique has developed slightly bit, he is received some extra playoff expertise. And he is aggressive and we’re pushing him to do it increasingly down the stretch.” line.”
