Celtics start fast, rout Trail Blazers 145-117 | The Star - Toronto Star

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jayson Tatum and Dennis Schroder scored 31 points apiece and the Boston Celtics rode a sizzling start to a 145-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night.

Enes Freedom grabbed 15 rebounds off the bench for the Celtics, who made 14 of their first 15 shots and built a 21-point, first-half lead.

CJ McCollum scored 24 points for the Trail Blazers.

Portland chipped away behind its bench before Boston took a 64-58 lead into halftime.

Boston took control in the second half with a good start to the third quarter. The Celtics pushed their lead to as high as 26 before Portland pulled its starters with 5:51 remaining.

The Celtics continued to pour it on. Former Oregon star Payton Prichard scored 16 points in the final six minutes, sending the Celtics bench into a frenzy. The bench was called for a taunting technical for celebrating Prichard’s 3-pointer to put Boston up 145-114.

NEW START

Saturday night’s game was Portland’s first following the firing of President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey. With Joe Cronin assuming the role of interim general manager, Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups expressed his respect for Cronin’s new position and excitement about working together.

“I’m very much looking forward to building with Joe,” Billups said. “In all honesty right now, Joe is the man. I’m not overlooking that, I don’t think anybody should. He’s been in the game for a long time, he’s well thought of my many people and I think Joe is as qualified as most people. He’s very good. It’s easy to jump over that and look for the next move. But right now, Joe is the next move.”

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, right, drives against Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

Boston coach Ime Udoka was in his hometown for the first time as an NBA head coach, something he wasn’t taking for granted.

“There’s a first for everything, as I mentioned. But this one obviously means more coming home,“ Udoka said. ”A ton of family and friends here and the first time in this capacity, so obviously it means a lot. For me, it’s great to come back and see family and friends briefly, but it’s also time to handle business.”

Udoka visited Jefferson High School before the game.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Romeo Langford missed the game with a right ankle sprain. … Jaylen Brown remains out with hamstring tightness and Udoka said he won’t return until he’s “100 percent, not 85 or 90”… Al Horford sat out with a stiff lower back. Grant Williams started in his place.

Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons (right ankle sprain), Damian Lillard (abdomen) and Nassir Little (left ankle sprain) all missed Saturday’s game.

UP NEXT

Celtics: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

Trail Blazers: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

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Celtics start fast, rout Trail Blazers 145-117 | The Star - Toronto Star
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