By The Numbers: Celtics offensive explosion adds to Trail Blazers woes

Benyam Kidane

•
By The Numbers: Celtics offensive explosion adds to Trail Blazers woes image

The Boston Celtics put together a strong performance against the Utah Jazz but fell to a 137-130 defeat and they looked to carry that momentum into Portland against the Damian Lillard-less Portland Trail Blazers. 

They did just that and more as they erupted for a 145-117 win at Moda Center, handing the Blazers just their third home loss of the season. 

NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)

Despite missing Al Horford (back) and Jaylen Brown (hamstring), Jayson Tatum and Dennis Schroder led the way with 31 points apiece as six players finished in double figures as they moved to 1-1 on their road trip.

The high-scoring affair set plenty of benchmarks for the Celtics, while the Blazers continue to search for answers.

Let's dive into some of the big numbers behind the Celtics' big win. 

145: A franchise worst

The Blazers' defence has been purous all season but in giving up 145 points tonight, that's the most they've ever conceded in a regulation game at home in franchise history. 

56.3: Celtics field goal percentage

The Celtics were red-hot in Portland with seemingly every shot going in.

Their 56.3 percent from the field is their best field goal percentage of the season, while their 49 made field goals is one shy of their season high (50 vs. Charlotte Hornets). They had it going from the 3-point line tonight with their 21-of-37 (56.8 percent) from deep tying their season-high from their opening night loss to the New York Knicks — although tonight they took 20 less attempts from beyond the arc than in that game.

Boston Celtics shotchart vs. Portland Trail Blazers

30: Blazers defensive rating

It's official. The Portland Trail Blazers have the worst defence in the NBA through their first 24 games of the season.

The Blazers offence ranks in the top 5, but on the other end of the floor, they just can't stop anyone right now, giving up 111.7 points per game (25th) and they're getting lit up from the 3-point line, with teams shooting 38.9 percent from deep (30th), giving up 14.0 triples a night (29th) with only the rebuilding Thunder allowing more. 

Season Defensive Rating (Rank) Offensive Rating (Rank)
2017-18 105.7 (6th) 108.4 (14th)
2018-19 109.5 (16th) 113.7 (3rd)
2019-20 114.3 (27th) 113.2 (3rd)
2020-21 115.3 (29th) 117.1 (2nd)
2021-22 (24 games) 113.3 (30th) 110.7 (5th)

51: Celtics bench catches fire

While Tatum and Schroder did the bulk of the damage, combining for 62 of the 145, the Celtics bench got in on the act, outscoring the Blazers reserves 51-37.

Payton Pritchard added insult to injury, lighting up garbage time from the 3-point line as he put up a season-high 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc, while Aaron Nesmith added 11 points and Enes Freedom nine points and a game-high 15 rebouds in just 22 minutes.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.