Tue Mar 25 03:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Celtics Cruise Past Trail Blazers, Focusing on Playoff Prep
**PORTLAND, Ore.** – The Boston Celtics secured their fifth consecutive victory, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 129-116 on Sunday night. Despite resting key players like Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Xavier Tillman, Boston dominated the game, showcasing their depth and demonstrating a focus on playoff preparation.
Sam Hauser led the scoring with 24 points, hitting 8 of 10 three-pointers, while Jayson Tatum contributed 30 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. The team’s impressive shooting (54.5% from the field, 23 of 50 from three-point range) underscored their offensive prowess.
Payton Pritchard, making his first start of the season in his hometown, received a warm reception from the crowd. Rookie Baylor Scheierman also impressed, seizing the opportunity to contribute alongside two-way player JD Davison. Their combined strong first-quarter performance helped establish an early lead.
Coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted the team’s ability to execute offensively against various defensive strategies and their resilience in overcoming Portland’s attempts to rally. He emphasized the value of the game in identifying areas for improvement as the playoffs approach.
Tatum noted the team’s focus on maintaining a winning mindset even with significant leads, using late-game situations to refine their execution and experiment with different lineups. This includes recent experimentation with smaller lineups, emphasizing spacing and three-point shooting.
The Celtics, currently holding a near-lock on the No. 2 playoff seed, appear poised for a deep postseason run, utilizing the remaining regular season games to fine-tune their strategy and build team chemistry ahead of the playoffs.
First Piper 