Inside The Celtics

The Top 5 Plays from Wednesday's Celtics-Pistons Game

A pair of above the rim finishes by Jaylen Brown, an incredible display of body control by Marcus Smart, and Brown's buzzer-beater headline the top five plays from Wednesday's Celtics-Pistons game.

Bobby Krivitsky

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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The top five plays from Wednesday's Celtics-Pistons game feature a pair of above-the-rim finishes by Jaylen Brown, the prime example of Jayson Tatum catching fire in the third quarter, where he scored 16 points, Marcus Smart's incredible demonstration of body control, and Brown's buzzer-beater.

Jaylen Brown's Thunderous Throwdown

Cade Cunningham overplays Jaylen Brown's first step to the latter's right. Cunningham's already at a significant athletic disadvantage, so when he overcommits, he has no chance to stop Brown from getting to the basket.

Also helping make this highlight reel play possible is Al Horford's back screen for Jayson Tatum above the break. That pulls Pistons' center, Jalen Duran, away from the rim.

And while Jaden Ivey does his best to come off Marcus Smart and stop this thunderous throwdown from happening, he's unable to get in the way of Brown's flush.

Jayson Tatum Gets Cookin'

Tatum erupted for 16 of his game-high 31 points in the third quarter. The play above exemplifies how much the Celtics' star was feeling it in the first 12 minutes after halftime.

Tatum comes off a staggered screen from Brown and Horford. Bojan Bogdanovic tries to lock and trail him but gets caught in the wash, forcing Isaiah Stewart to switch onto him.

With Tatum already in rhythm, he backs up to the three-point line, dribbles between his legs, and swishes a shot from 27 feet.

Jaylen Brown Beats the Third Quarter Buzzer

Jayson Tatum set the tone in the third quarter, but Brown provided the exclamation mark.

The threat of him coming downhill is too significant for Killian Hayes to defend against that and stay with Brown when he pulls the ball back with a between-the-legs dribble, then side-steps into a three from the left wing to beat the end-of-period buzzer.

Celtics Turn to Defense to Points on Incredible Demonstration of Body Control by Marcus Smart

Hayes can't shake Tatum, who maintains a balanced stance, opens his hips without conceding a path to the basket, then flips his hips, staying in front of Hayes, who loses the ball when he dribbles between his legs a second time.

Somehow, Marcus Smart scoops it up, maintains his balance down the sideline, then shovels the ball ahead to Tatum for the transition jam.

Tatum's No-Look Dish to Brown for the Above-the-Rim Finish

Horford's the only one who makes a pass that isn't underhanded in this highlight as Smart slings the ball to Tatum, who delivers a no-look dish to Brown for the two-handed flush.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out in the Celtics' Win vs. Pistons: Tatum and Brown Combine for 61 Points as Boston Rolls to Fourth-Straight Victory

Nets Not Hiring Ime Udoka, Name Jacque Vaughn Head Coach

Here's Where Marcus Smart Lands On NBA's First DPOY Ladder of 2022-23 Season

The Top 5 Plays from Monday's Celtics-Grizzlies Game

Exploring the Celtics' Options with the Disabled Player Exception Granted to Them for Losing Danilo Gallinari

Eager to Skip Ahead to the Playoffs, the Celtics Must Not Squander the Time Leading Up to It

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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