The Boston Celtics are showing why they’re the No. 1 seed in the East, pulling out another strong performance at TD Garden to secure a 109-100 win and take a commanding 2-0 series lead. With balanced scoring, clutch defense, and a roaring home crowd behind them, the Celtics are looking more and more like serious contenders for the 2025 NBA title.
The game started off with high energy from both sides, but it didn’t take long for the Celtics to establish control. Boston jumped out to an early lead thanks to a red-hot start from Jayson Tatum, who came out aggressive on both ends of the floor. Tatum dropped 14 points in the first quarter alone, setting the tone for a night where he would finish with 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Jaylen Brown was right there with him, adding 24 points on efficient shooting, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. The All-Star duo once again proved too much for the opposing defense to handle, especially when they got into rhythm midway through the second quarter. Their chemistry, especially in transition, was on full display, and they consistently made the right reads to keep the Celtics’ offense humming.
But it wasn’t just the stars carrying the load. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday continued to shine in their roles, both contributing key plays that won’t always show up on the stat sheet. Holiday’s defense on the perimeter stifled the opponent’s primary ball handlers, while White added 13 points and a couple of timely threes that helped the Celtics weather a third-quarter push from their opponents.
That push came when the visiting team briefly cut the lead to five points midway through the third. A flurry of fast-break points and a few cold possessions from Boston threatened to shift the momentum. But the Celtics responded like a veteran team. Al Horford nailed a corner three, Tatum followed it up with a tough and-one, and just like that, the Celtics pushed the lead back to double digits.
Boston’s bench also stepped up. Payton Pritchard brought a spark with his energy and hustle, drawing a couple of charges and hitting a clutch three late in the fourth quarter. Sam Hauser gave solid minutes as well, spacing the floor and keeping the defense honest.
On the defensive side, the Celtics clamped down when it mattered most. Holding a high-powered offense to just 100 points is no small feat in today’s NBA. They forced 14 turnovers and limited second-chance opportunities with strong rebounding from Tatum, Horford, and even Brown. Every time the opposition looked ready to make a run, Boston’s defense tightened the screws.
Coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team’s composure postgame: “We stayed poised through their runs. That’s what playoff basketball is—it’s about staying locked in, trusting each other, and making the next play. I thought we did that tonight.”
With the win, the Celtics have now protected home court and will head into Game 3 with all the momentum. A 2-0 lead in a playoff series has historically been a strong predictor of success, and Boston will look to keep their foot on the gas as the series shifts to enemy territory.
Game 3 promises to be a battle. The opposing squad, down but not out, will come out desperate to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole. But if the Celtics continue to play with this level of intensity and cohesion, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping them.
Boston fans have reason to be excited. The team is healthy, focused, and firing on all cylinders. With two convincing wins already under their belt, the Celtics are making a strong case that this could finally be their year.
