No Tatum, No Problem: Celtics Massacre Spurs in Boston

The Boston Celtics destroyed the San Antonio Spurs at the TD Garden 137-93.
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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Already beaten and battered, the San Antonio Spurs received their fourth consecutive double-digit loss, this time around at the hands of the Boston Celtics 137-93. 

Down three players (including Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan), the rebuilding Spurs had little to no chance against the reigning Eastern Conference champions.

The Celtics were also missing a key piece ... Jayson Tatum. But the Celtics didn't stress - a sign of a legitimate playoff contender. Instead, Jaylen Brown handled business posting a 41-point, 13-rebound performance over the lottery-destined Spurs. Next man up indeed for the Celtics, as even Derrick White tallied up 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds, helping his team to a dominant second half.

Turnovers typically indicate a game's loser, but Sunday evening proved otherwise. For a game with seven lead changes, the final score didn't suggest such a stat. Boston destroyed San Antonio in the second quarter with a 38-point onslaught. Despite coughing up the ball less, the Spurs allowed 29 fast break points.

Despite not being a close contest, intensity rose in the TD Garden thanks to Marcus Smart's ejection after the Boston guard received his second technical foul late in the third quarter. Smart finished with 13 points and four assists in 28 minutes of action. 

Despite the loss, Zach Collins had an efficient outing from deep with a 2-5 shooting line, ending the game with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Devin Vassell, one of the better players of San Antonio's young core, was held to only nine points and clanked 1-5 shots from distance. 

Next, the Spurs receive home cooking as they play the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, Mar. 29, at the AT&T Center.


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