The Boston Celtics continued their hot stretch, winning four straight games this week.
On Thursday, Oct. 26, the C’s headed up to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks. They came away with a 96-89 victory thanks to big performances from Al Horford (27 points, 9 rebounds) and Kyrie Irving (24 points, 7 assists). Giannis Antetokounmpo lead the way for the Bucks with 28 points and 10 assists.
The team then made its way down to Miami to take on the Heat on Oct 28. Irving had 24 points and Jayson Tatum added 20 in the 96-90 victory. Horford snatched nine bounds in the win. Goran Dragic had 22 points to lead the Heat.
The C’s came back to Boston on Oct. 30 to face the San Antonio Spurs, who were without star player Kawhi Leonard. Irving had 24 points and was this time supplemented by Jaylen Brown, who poured in 18. A big day on the glass was headlined by Horford with 13 rebounds and Jayson Tatum with 11 rebounds. San Antonio was lead by Brandon Paul with 18 points off the bench.
Their second straight home game came on Nov. 1 against the Sacramento Kings, which the C’s won handedly, 113-86. Irving and Brown each had 22 points, while Daniel Theis provided 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Buddy Hield lead the way for the Kings with 17 points and seven rebounds.
Injury update: Hayward out of hard cast, is shooting out of chair
Small forward Gordon Hayward is making progress in his recovery from the injury he sustained opening night, according to head coach Brad Stevens.
“He got his hard cast off,” he said. “He’s in a boot. He still won’t be weight-bearing for quite a while, but his spirits have been really good. He has gotten a few shots up in a chair in each of the last few days, and it’s just been fun to see him the last couple of days, and to see him smile, and to know that he’s excited about attacking his rehab.”
There is still no timetable for Hayward’s return, though he is not expected back in the lineup any time soon. Still, it is good to see Hayward making progress.
76ers decline Okafor pption; Celtics considered frontrunners
The Philadelphia 76ers declined to pick up Jahlil Okafor’s $6.3 million option for next season, and he has quickly become the subject of trade rumors.
Okafor, the third overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, hasn’t really panned out thus far. Last year, while averaging 22.7 minutes per game, Okafor averaged 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. He has only played in one game this season, when he played 22 minutes, and had 10 points and nine rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks.
Next 7 days at a glance
Friday, Nov. 3, at 9:30 pm @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Sunday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. @ Orlando Magic
Monday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. @ Atlanta Hawks
Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 8 p.m. vs. Los Angeles Lakers
