Derrick White helped put the finishing touches on the Celtics’ fifth straight win on Sunday over the Raptors while leaving his early-season shooting slump in the past.
The veteran guard scored eight of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, making him Sunday’s “Name to Know” Player of the Game. The Name to Know Player of the Game is sponsored by John’s Sewer and Drain Cleaning, the Name to Know when your drains don’t flow.
White has now hit at least five 3s in three straight games after Sunday’s victory, knocking down six of 15 attempts to help Boston take down their division rival on the road. The veteran guard also had a terrific all around game as he posted five assists, four rebounds and three blocks in the victory. He also hit a crucial 3-point early in the fourth quarter to help stem the Raptors momentum after a 23-4 Toronto run in the second half.
Boston’s offense has been rolling for much of the season but it’s taken until the past two weeks for White to get going. He shot just 34 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3-point range over his first 15 games of the year but he’s bounced back to his usual self over his last seven games.
During that stretch, White is averaging 22.4 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the field. He’s raised his 3-point shooting to nearly 34 percent from 3-point range on the year during that run, an impressive shift in such a short time span.
Those performances have helped Boston run off a five-game winning streak and wins in ten of their last 12 games overall. The hot streak has propelled them to the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference with a 15-9 record, just a half-game ahead of Toronto.
White and the Celtics now get to rest up for three days before attempting to extend their winning streak to six games in Milwaukee on Thursday night.