Blake Griffin (Sort Of) Has a Back To The Future Kind of Game For the Celtics

The six time All-Star played above the rim and dove for loose balls at times against Charlotte - two things few thought the 33-year-old had left in his game.

Derrick White has been an effective dribble-driver for most of this season. So the idea of him penetrating into the lane and finding a Boston Celtics big man for an easy score was nothing unusual. 

But in the second quarter, White found an unfamiliar face wide open at the rim - Blake Griffin. 

And what ensued moments later was a lob dunk for once-bouncy Griffin who doesn’t play above the rim nearly as much now as he did earlier in his career.

Griffin, filling in for a load-managed Al Horford, would later grab multiple offensive rebounds to keep a possession alive, dive for loose balls - do so many of the things that so many had written Griffin off for not being able to do. 

But on Monday night against Charlotte, Griffin showed glimpses of the once-upon-a-time perennial All-Star from his days as a Los Angeles Clipper, as Boston had no problem soundly defeating the Hornets 140-105.

Griffin would finish the game with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting with four rebounds in 22 minutes. 

Boston knows all too well they can’t expect Griffin to be as effective as he was against the injury-riddled Hornets. 

But it’s good to know the skills that made him an absolute terror for years in the NBA, haven’t totally gone away. 

When the Celtics signed Griffin, the initial thought was his value would be greater inside the locker room than on the court. 

Many recall how his game seemed to be on a clear decline when he played for the Brooklyn Nets. 

And while All-Star Blake Griffin is likely gone forever, he still has enough left in the tank to provide a lift when called upon. 

Here are some other standouts from Boston’s blowout win which improved their league-leading record to 17-4.

STARS

Jayson Tatum: The Celtics gave Jayson Tatum the night off on Sunday, and the rest clearly did his body - and his game - some good. He led all scorers with 36 points on 15-for-28 shooting to go with three rebounds and three assists. 

Marcus Smart: This was one of those games in which Marcus Smart made all the right decisions at both ends of the floor. He would finish the game with a massive double-double of 22 points and a career-high 15 assists. 

STUDS

Jalen McDaniels: With several Charlotte players hobbled with injuries, Jaden McDaniels made the most of his increased role. He led the Hornets with 24 points on a super-efficient 9-for-12 shooting from the field.

Malcolm Brogdon: The case continues to grow for Malcolm Brogdon as this season’s best sixth man. Brogdon delivered yet another strong performance for Boston with 21 points on 8-for-9 shooting from the field to go with five rebounds and six assists. 

UH-UHS

Charlotte defense: The Hornets came into Monday’s game with the 13th-best defense in the NBA, only to see it shredded apart by a Celtics offense that continues to torch team after team. Boston finished the game a shade below 60 percent from the field (59.1 percent, on 55-for-93 shooting).