The Celtics returned home to host the Raptors and beat the top team in the East 110-99. Demar Derozan’s 32 points were not enough as Marcus Morris led a balanced attack for Boston with 25 points.
Next, the Celtics traveled to Milwaukee on Tuesday and fell to the Bucks 106-102. Jaylen Brown’s 24 points weren’t enough as Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 29 points and added 11 rebounds.
The team then traveled up to Toronto for a rematch with the Raptors, which the Celtics lost 96-78. Morris led the way for the Celtics with 21 points while DeRozan led a very balanced lineup with 16 points.
Gordon Hayward’s rehab continues
Celtics forward Gordon Hayward continued his rehab this week for the fractured ankle he suffered earlier this season.
He recently began running on the court, which is another big step in his recovery process. Coach Brad Stevens remains adamant that Hayward is still far from a return, though.
“I saw that video. It’s pretty slow running,” Stevens said. “I was up there watching it the other morning when they [filmed] that. The next step of his progression is once every three days he gets on the court and does that. So as you can see it was about 20 percent speed, nothing lateral, no jumping. So [he’s] a long, long way away.”
Two-Way Player Kadeem Allen gets start
Kadeem Allen made Celtics history on Tuesday night when he became the first “two-way” player to start a game.
Allen, a rookie, signed a contract to spend a maximum of 45 days in the NBA and the rest of the season in the G-League. On Tuesday, the Celtics were without Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier and Shane Larkin, and Allen was thrust into the starting lineup.
“We don’t need him to try to be Terry, Kyrie, or Shane,” Stevens said of Allen. “We just need him to be Kadeem and to play to his strengths and I thought he did that really well. I thought he was a real plus tonight.”
