Pavel George made stunning Celtics debuted with 38 points in the team’s championship at Detroit. In the end, it wasn’t enough, as the Celtics squandered a 22-point second-half lead in a 121-113 loss.
If nothing else, it proved the 36-year-old still has a lot left in him. However, he left the court with an empty feeling.
“I’m not a fan of moral victory” George said that Associated Press. “It doesn’t mean anything.”
George also sparked the defense with five interceptions.
“It was worth a look” security guard Derrick White said. “He got hot and we were trying to find him.”
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- Mitchell RobinsonThe debut in the club did not go so smoothly. The team’s new starting center sprained his ankle and scored four points and three rebounds in 18 minutes. “I got my ass on the glass” he said to BGary Washburn of the Oston Globe. “I can’t have such starts. It’s cool to come out and put on a Boston jersey for the first time in a regular season game, but overall I still didn’t do what I needed to do. I have to compete better. I feel like I haven’t been competing at as high a level as I usually do and I’ve been slow in a lot of ways.”
- Jason Tatumcovered by a defensive ace Ausar Thompsonwas limited to 13 points on 6-for-23 shooting. “I mean (the shot) was good, but definitely not one of my best nights.” Tatum said. “I have to play better. Part of my role is to score, so I felt really good from a lot of looks. I might slow down when I get to the rim, but there are a lot of things I can learn from and be better next time.”
- Peyton Pritchard scored 17 points four days after signing a two-year, $44.2 million extension. Pritchard said the award won’t affect his work ethic. “I feel like $22 million a year is a lot of money, especially with what I was going to make around ($8 million).” Prichard said Jay King of The Athletic. “So I thought it’s — I don’t know, sometimes I like to just take it and then you can always work for the next one. So stay hungry and maybe go after the next one, be a better player — three years from now, maybe I’ll be a better player and then hopefully I’ll get that award again.”
