Boston Celtics (38-19) beat Phoenix Suns (33-26) 97-81 on the road on Tuesday, February 24 in a low-scoring game: just 178 combined points between the two teams.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Suns had the better start, winning the first 26-21 to lead by 5 after one. The Celtics moved in front with a 29-20 second quarter, carrying a 4-point lead into halftime.
The Celtics won the third 30-11 to create some separation, taking a 23-point lead into the fourth. The Suns took the fourth 24-17; the Celtics held on for a 97-81 regulation win.
What decided it
The Celtics grabbed 46.8% of their own misses, while the Suns recovered 18.8%. The Celtics got more from their shots, finishing at 46.8% effective field-goal shooting compared with 44.3% for the Suns. The second chances kept adding up.
The Suns did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 13.9 against 8.4. The Celtics made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 84 possessions per team, the Celtics produced 115 points per 100 possessions to 96 for the Suns.
Who made the difference
Derrick White was the game's biggest individual force for BOS: 22 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast, 3 blk on 9-18 shooting. His Game Score of 23.5 led everyone. His team was +20 with him on the floor.
Collin Gillespie led the Suns with 15 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast on 6-11 shooting, good for a 12.3 Game Score.
Baylor Scheierman (11 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast) and Neemias Queta (14 pts, 13 reb, 3 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 57% for the Celtics.
Across the last 2 meetings in our records, Boston Celtics lead 2-0.
The Celtics are now 38-19, and the Suns are 33-26. The Celtics last five before this game: W-L-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.