Terry Rozier on Monday scored 29 points as Boston outmuscled Philadelphia 117-101 to win the opening game of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series.
Rozier was the top scorer in a dazzling Celtics offensive display at TD Garden, with Al Horford and Jayson Tatum also making hefty contributions.
Horford finished with 26 points, while Tatum added 28 points as Boston surged into a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with a statement victory.
Photo: AFP
Horford later praised Rozier’s superb contribution.
“I’ve always seen that potential in Terry. I just think he’s taken advantage of the opportunity,” Horford said. “It’s a great experience for him to come into a playoff game of this magnitude and have such a great game.”
“I just think defensively we did a great job tonight, really containing them and just trying to play with pace at the other end,” he added.
The third-seeded Sixers had advanced to the semi-finals after a confident demolition of Miami in the opening round.
However, the Celtics lineup look to be a vastly more challenging proposition for the Sixers, who saw Joel Embiid score 31 points while pulling down 13 rebounds.
J.J. Redick had 20 points for the Sixers, while point guard Ben Simmons had 18 points from 41 minutes on the court.
Yet it was the shooting prowess of Celtics ace Rozier that caught the eye as the 24-year-old point guard kept Boston firmly on track for a well-earned win.
Boston, who advanced to the semi-finals after a grueling seven-game series win over Milwaukee, have regrouped superbly after a slew of injuries that means they are without stars Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward.
Rozier’s 29-point haul included 21 points from three-point range, a 77.8 conversion percentage from outside the arc.
Rozier credited his form to a determined training regime launched last year.
“Up early every day. Putting in a lot of work, watching a lot of film. A lot of hard work over the summer,” Rozier said. “We got together yesterday and we had a plan. No matter who it is out there, we’re going to play hard and take care of business.”
Sixers coach Brett Brown was left to reflect on a below-par night for his team, while acknowledging the Celtics had simply been better.
“We did have an off night shooting, but a lot of that you can attribute to their good defense and them getting to our shooters,” Brown said. “We give them credit. I never really felt we were in the game. It sure felt like we were playing a good team today.”
“But defensively, offensively, this isn’t who we are. This was a poor game from us. We’re going to have to fix some things,” he added.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely