Celtics hold off Hawks on Theis game-saving swat

Agence France-Presse

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Daniel Theis blocks a three-point attempt by Hawks star Trae Young to seal the win for the Celtics

 

 

 

CLUTCH. Daniel Theis plays spoiler to Trae Young and the Hawks. Photo from Boston Celtics

 

 

LOS ANGELES, USA – Daniel Theis blocked a three-point attempt by Atlanta’s Trae Young with 2.7 seconds remaining and the Celtics escaped with a 109-106 NBA victory over the lowly Hawks in Boston on Friday, January 3 (Saturday, January 4, Philippine time).

“I knew he wanted to take the three to win the game,” Boston center Theis said. “He probably would’ve beat me for a layup, but I think he just wanted the game-winner. That’s why I said I just tried to take away the shot, and at the end I was right there to block it.”

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

 

 

Atlanta, who came into the game with the league’s worst record, jumped to a 29-11 lead in the 1st quarter.

Boston cut the advantage to two points by halftime, and led by two going into the final period.

Gordon Hayward added 18 points and 6 rebounds and Marcus Smart – starting for point guard Kemba Walker who was battling flu-like symptoms – notched 15 points with 6 rebounds and 9 assists.

But it was Theis’ big block that defined the night, leaving Young – who finished with 28 points and 10 assists – disappointed in his return to action after two games sidelined by a sprained right ankle.

“That’s a big-time basketball play,” coach Brad Stevens said as the Celtics kept the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference with a 24-8 record behind the Milwaukee Bucks’ league-best 31-5 slate

 

 

– Rappler.com

 

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