Rookie gives team best shot at a win
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — As he continues to hit critical shots to help the Celtics win games, rookie Jaylen Brown won’t need much time to shake the main knock against him going into last June’s NBA draft.
“I’ve taken thousands of shots in the corner. It’s all mental. So you have to be ready, wait for your opportunity and execute,” said Brown after his corner 3-pointer with 37.9 seconds remaining lifted the Celtics from one down into the lead for good during a 104-98 win over Detroit last night.
It was the biggest shot of his young career for Brown, who learned a lesson during Friday’s loss in Toronto.
“The other day P.J. Tucker helped (on defense) off him a couple of times, and we need him to make those shots,” coach Brad Stevens said about Brown’s willingness to shoot when he’s open. “He’s one of those guys we have to watch — he’s in the gym more than not. But he continues to take and make those shots for us.”
Brown scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
“Belief in yourself and confidence,” he said. “I’ve been working on my shot, because that’s what people have been critiquing me on my whole life, and I’ve really gotten better at it. I’m not a guy who’s going to shoot 10 3’s a game — I like to get to the basket — so some of those shots I do have to take and some of those shots I do have to let fly, and that one went in.
“( Isaiah Thomas) is hauling a big load, putting up 30, 29 points a night, so we have to make plays, score the basketball, defend at a high level and cover his back.”
Honoring a legend
Pistons legend Richard Hamilton, with most of his former teammates and coach Larry Brown on hand, had his No. 32 raised to the rafters during an emotional halftime ceremony.
After watching the Garden crowd smother former Celtics star Paul Pierce with affection during his final appearance as a player on the parquet Feb. 5, Thomas had no problem comparing the two moments.
“That was nice,” Thomas said about the Detroit ceremony, “but nowhere near what Paul Pierce got.
“That was dope for him to get his number retired. You definitely want to be in this position once your career is over.”
Thomas admitted to joy in playing before Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace.
“To have such great players watching you — Chauncey texted me before the game to let me know he was here, and said to put on a show,” he said. “Whenever the retired players are at your game, you always want to play well. You know they’re watching. They were arguably one of the best teams to play.”
Rivalry renewed
The C’s renew their increasingly bitter rivalry with Atlanta tonight at the Garden. To hear Thomas tell it, he’d like nothing better than to ignore the Hawks’ Dennis Schroder. The last time the teams played, in Atlanta on Jan. 13, Schroder accused Thomas of insulting his family. Thomas hasn’t forgotten.
“Man, I’m past that, I’m not worried about that,” Thomas said. “Once he tried to damage my character, saying I talked about his parents or whatever. I’m past that. Not even worried about it.” . . .
Avery Bradley had another intense pregame workout, and until he does anything more, that’s where he continues to use his greatest energy. He missed his 22nd game due to a strained right Achilles . . .
Gerald Green (heel) remained back in Boston.