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SALT LAKE CITY – The Boston Celtics opened up their summer slate with a 102-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night in Salt Lake City.
Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter – two second-year Summer Celtics – were the biggest reasons why.
Rozier and Hunter, who combined for 35 points on the night, looked like seasoned vets when the game was on the line. They totaled 10 of the team’s final 17 points of the game, along with a dagger of a dunk by Rozier, to go along with strong play at the defensive end of the court.
Boston led for the majority of the contest, although its lead was slim throughout. In fact, its final advantage of eight points marked the largest lead of the game by either team.
James Young got the Celtics rolling early on by canning two 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the game. His teammates quickly followed suit, racking up a 15-2 run during the middle of the first quarter that fueled a 23-20 lead at the end of the frame.
Rozier and Hunter were key cogs during an important stretch of the second quarter as well. Philadelphia had taken a 32-27 lead at the 6:32 mark of the period before Boston’s backcourt duo caught fire. Hunter and Rozier, respectively, sandwiched smooth 3-pointers around another deep jumper from Rozier to mark an 8-0 run over the course of only 50 seconds. That spurt provided Boston with a lead that it never relinquished until the early moments of the third quarter.
Although the 76ers made a run during the second half, highlighted by a 6-0 run to start the third quarter, Boston was able to stem the tide. Surprisingly, its best players during the third period were two reserves.
Malcolm Miller, playing with the Celtics for the second straight summer, scored eight points and made all three of his shot attempts during the quarter. Meanwhile, second-round pick Demetrius Jackson pitched in six of his own while making all three of his shots.
Their scoring kept the C’s afloat until the big dogs were able to do their thing during the fourth quarter.
Rozier and Hunter scored six points apiece during the final frame, while No. 3 overall pick Jaylen Brown logged eight points of his own. Brown drew oohs and ahhs from the crowd as he rose up for two thunderous dunk attempts before being fouled.
Boston’s opening game of Summer League play went very much according to plan. Two of their backcourt vets, Rozier and Hunter, led the team with 18 and 17 points apiece, respectively. Brown, meanwhile, showed off his slashing ability by getting to the line for a game-high 17 free throw attempts – eight more than any other player in the game. Brown finished with 16 points to go along with six boards and two blocks.
The Celtics will be back in action again at 7 p.m. Tuesday night when they take on the league’s host, the Utah Jazz.