The Boston Celtics held off a late surge to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 102-94 on Monday night at TD Garden, closing out a snow-delayed evening with timely shooting and defensive stops. The win pushed Boston to 29-17 as it continued a five-game homestand.
Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 23 points and delivered momentum-changing buzzer-beaters at the end of both the first and second quarters. The guard finished 5-for-11 from three-point range and posted a team-best plus-23 in 35 minutes.
Jaylen Brown added 20 points while contributing eight rebounds and four assists, providing steady two-way production throughout the night. Derrick White scored 18 points and played a decisive role in the final minute on both ends of the floor.
Boston jumped out to a commanding early lead behind perimeter shooting and defensive pressure. Pritchard drilled a long three at the first-quarter horn to give the Celtics a 32-11 advantage.
Portland responded in the second quarter and cut the deficit to 10 before halftime. Anfernee Simons, facing his former team, knocked down a three before Pritchard closed the half with a fadeaway from the lane to make it 52-37.
The Trail Blazers continued to chip away in the second half behind physical play and work on the glass. Jerami Grant scored 19 points off the bench, and rookie center Donovan Clingan grabbed 15 rebounds while anchoring the interior defense.
Portland trimmed what had been a 23-point deficit down to 99-94 in the final minute after Grant converted a basket, drew a foul, and followed a missed free throw with another layup off an offensive rebound by Toumani Camara.
White answered immediately with a three-pointer to restore separation and then came up with a steal on the next possession to seal the outcome. The Celtics shot 38 percent from beyond the arc and assisted on 24 of their 39 made field goals.
Jrue Holiday scored 14 points against his former team and received a lengthy ovation during a first-quarter tribute video. Holiday was part of Boston’s 2024 NBA championship roster before being traded last summer due to second-apron luxury tax considerations.
The game was played in front of a crowd that braved heavy snowfall in the Boston area, with accumulations reaching nearly two feet over the previous 36 hours.
Portland, now 23-24, shot 41 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range after entering the game having won four of its previous five contests. The Blazers remain ninth in the Western Conference standings.
The Trail Blazers travel to Washington to face the Wizards on Tuesday night. Boston hosts the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday as it looks to build momentum in the Eastern Conference race.
