Avery Bradley's Rejection Of Gordon Hayward Highlights Celtics' Block Party
BOSTON (CBS) -- It was just under a month ago when Avery Bradley lifted the Celtics to an improbable win over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a three-pointer at the buzzer. That shot remains one of Boston's top highlights of the season, though for Bradley, it may now have a little competition.
Bradley took his defensive calling card out of his back pocket on Monday night, helping secure a Boston victory with his defense against the Utah Jazz.
Boston had to play catch-up for much of the evening, but had just taken a 96-95 lead with 30 seconds left on a three-pointer by forward Jae Crowder. Coming out of their timeout, it was somewhat obvious the Jazz were going to give the ball to their best scorer, forward Gordon Hayward. The C's anticipated a pick-and-roll, putting Bradley on Hayward with Crowder not far away, ready for the switch.
But the pick-and-roll didn't happen, leaving the 6-foot-2 Bradley to keep the 6-foot-8 Hayward from taking the lead back for Utah.
Bradley, who has made a name for himself on the defensive end over his five-plus NBA seasons, was ready to rise to the challenge. As Hayward backed him down, Bradley continued to shadow the Utah star, and when he went up for a turnaround, Bradley swatted the attempt away. Crowder was able to pick up the loose ball, and a few ticks later Bradley was at the free throw line with a chance to ice the game for Boston.
"I was just trying to play great defense. I knew they were going to go to [Hayward]," Bradley said after the 100-95 win. "I just wanted to make it hard on him and not foul him. That's what I did and I was able to get the block, read the play.
"I love to take that challenge, to be able to get a stop for our team, because I want to win the game that bad," said Bradley. "I'll guard anybody for my team."
"We all know Avery is a top-notch defender in this league. He's proven it over and over again," Crowder said of his teammate. "We actually thought they were going to run a 1-3 pick-and-roll, and we were going to switch it with me on Hayward, but they went iso with Avery and he stood his ground. It was a good block."
Bradley's rejection was one of 13 blocks by Boston on Monday night, the most shots the team has sent back since the 2009 season. Nine Celtics recorded a block against the Jazz, with four players recording a pair of rejections.
It really should come as no surprise that Bradley made an important play on defense, considering the reputation he's built on that end of the floor from the second he came into the league. Many remember his famous block four years ago when he rejected Miami forward Dwyane Wade at the TD Garden on April Fool's Day in 2012. That block actually went right to one of Wade's teammates, resulting in a Miami three, so Bradley didn't really want to talk comparisons on Monday night.
He was much more excited at what another hard-fought victory means for the Celtics, now winners of 11 straight at the TD Garden.
"Utah is a very good team and they fought us hard the entire game. It just shows how mature we're becoming as a team," said Bradley. "We're able to close out games like this. That means a lot to me. It shows how much we're growing."
Whether it's on offense or defense, the Celtics continue to prove they can make plays at the end of games this season.
