Injured starter? Check. Sluggish start? Check. Second game of a back to back? That’s the free space in the middle. Getting torched by a guy who inexplicably torched the Celtics last time? Big ol’ check (thanks, Zach Lavine). Enes Kanter double double? Not on the card, but it should be, I guess?
Zach Lavine put Boston in an early 18-6 hole, scoring 11 points in the game’s first six minutes. Gordon Hayward helped stabilize the offense early with his signature turn-around jumper, while Tatum began to make amends for last game by finishing at the basket.