Hugo Gonzalez
The finish between the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics last night was something for the ages. With lead changes galore, this game looked like it was won and lost over and over. The final result certainly matches just how special it was.
It appeared the Nets may be done at the end of regulation, as Michael Porter Jr. misfired on a deep three. Nic Claxton was there for the tip dunk with 1.8 left to send it to OT.
From there, Brooklyn was making all the plays. Noah Clowney had a block on one end, and a three on the other. Rookie Nolan Traore had a career-high of 20 and hit some big free throws.
But then, leading by five with seven seconds left, the Nets thought they had it in the bag. Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams had other plans.
Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams Deliver for Celtics
Down by five late, the Celtics held onto their timeout. Payton Pritchard was able to hit a deep three to cut it to a two-point game with just under four seconds left. After the Nets called a timeout, they fouled rookie Nolan Traore again.
Two free-throws were split. and it was a one-possession game. Still having one timeout left, Boston used it to advance the ball. As nobody could get open, rookie Hugo Gonzalez, who had checked back in just for this possession, was thrown the pass.
He caught it in the corner and buried an improbable game-tying three to send the game to double OT.
Gonzalez is still just 19 years of age, and averaging four points per game. This was the biggest shot of his rookie season, by far. Once the game got to double OT, Boston, who had been playing small ball, subbed rookie Amari Williams in for his first regular minutes of the night.
Williams had a three-point play on the offensive end early on, and played the biggest defense of the contest. He stuffed Traore, who thought he had a free lay-up for the Nets. This kept the lead at two possessions, which proved significant for the Celtics.
So, two rookies came through in a big way for Boston. What else is new? Joe Mazzulla has proven to be able to get the most out of any player on the roster. Therefore, the claim remains true about his Coach of the Year status. He’s very much in the heart of the mix.
These Celtics never seem to quit, and the overtime comeback proved once again that even without Jayson Tatum, they may be contenders in the East.
Next Steps for Boston Celtics
Hugo Gonzalez came through when the team needed him most. 19 years of age and making plays like this shows what type of player he is, and why they drafted him.
With the next three games being against Chicago, Atlanta, and Portland, there is a good chance for an extended winning streak for these Celtics. The roster they put together has been able to be extremely potent in big moments, a major reason for their 28-16 record.
It doesn’t come as much a surprise at this point that this team is #2 in the East just past the midway point. Guys know their roles, and on a rest day for Derrick White, players showed up, and stepped up.
Keep your eyes peeled for the Celtics. Come playoff time, they may be a very difficult matchup for most teams.