In week three of the NBA season the Boston Celtics faced off against the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and the Orlando Magic in the NBA Cup.
With the Celtics winning one and losing two of the three games.
The Celtics came into the game against the Jazz on the back of a back to back against the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets.
Joe Mazzulla used the same starting five from recent games as he looks to build chemistry in his rotations. The Jazz, however, were without their center Walker Kessler.
Jaylen Brown once again led from the front with 36 points on the night meanwhile the Jazz were led by Keyonte George who had 31 points respectfully.
This game once again highlighted Boston Celtics' struggles with rebounding the ball. As they lost the rebounding battle 65-43. To pair with the rebounding issues the Celtics offence was also lacking as they shot 42 per cent from the field and only shot 22 per cent from three point range.
As has become routine the Celtics made another fast start as they started out with a 10-0 run and entered the first timeout with a 14-2 lead. However, the Jazz closed this lead down through a quick seven points from George as the first quarter ended 25-21 to the Celtics.
The Jazz bench proved a massive difference maker as they outscored the Celtics 12-5.
In the second quarter the game remained close until a timeout was called which let the Celtics take over the game briefly. As they forced the Jazz into making repeated turnovers as Anfernee Simons led the Celtics into a 10 point lead as he made a quick eight points.
The Celtics took a 46-36 point lead into the half time break. But worrying signs were already in the air as they allowed the Jazz to score 20 points in the paint and dominate the rebounds.
Keyonte George kept the Jazz in the game as he helped his side cut the lead down to 54-49. At this stage the Celtics offence became stagnant as they struggled to make a shot allowing the Jazz to take the lead. Allowing them to end the third quarter with a slender lead.
Keyonte George and Jaylen Brown in action for the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
The end of the game was marred in controversy with the score tightly contested. The Jazz took the lead after Brown was tripped but the refs allowed the game to continue allowing them to score on the fastbreak.
Neemias Queta levelled the game from the free throw line but with 0.6 seconds left on the clock Nurkic tipped in a rebound from a George missed shot giving the Jazz a two point win.
The Celtics bounced back from the narrow loss against the Jazz with a comprehensive victory against the Wizards.
The Celtics once again started the game cold from three point range as they missed their first eight shots from beyond the arc. Until Josh Minott made back to back threes.
Jaylen Brown led from the front once again as he had 16 points in the first quarter.
The second quarter was near perfect from a Boston perspective. Which led to them having a 10 point lead at half time as they score was 70-60 in the Celtics' favour.
Payton Pritchard dribbling the ball against the Washington Wizards. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
Boston's dominance continued in the third quarter. However, this time it was through the rotation unit as Jordan Walsh, Minott, Sam Hauser and Simons all played a huge part in the Celtics increasing their advantage over the Wizards.
With the Celtics growing their lead to as much as 33 points. It allowed Mazzulla to give some rest to his star players as Brown finished with 35 points in just 25 minutes as he sat out the entire fourth quarter.
Minott finished the game with a career high 21 points and Queta finished with a double-double.
The Magic handed the Celtics their first loss of the NBA Cup campaign.
Like Boston the Orlando Magic have also struggled from three point range this season. However, in this game they found their groove as they hit half of their 18 three point attempts in the first half. As they took a 59-51 point lead into the half time break.
Desmond Bane drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Fernando Medina/Getty Images)
Foul trouble was an issue for Boston in the first half as Minott picked up three early fouls. However, Pritchard helped keep his side in close proximity of Orlando with his 14 points in the first half.
The second half started with a 11-3 run for Boston as they forced turnovers and grabbed offensive rebounds to tie the game at 62-62.
Despite keeping the game close going into the final quarter. The Celtics offence become sloppy as they had five turnovers in the fourth quarter. Allowing Orlando to find rhythm and score off second chance points.