In terms of pure talent, the Boston Celtics were the est team on the court in their 114-108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center this past Sunday (Dec. 28) evening. But games are not won on paper, and the Trail Blazers managed to execute a better game plan in the waning moments of second half of what had been a close contest throughout the tilt.
Speaking to the media after the game, Portland big man Donovan Clingan spoke about how the Blazers beat the Celtic to snap their four-game win streak this weekend. “We obviously came out a little slow in that first two minutes, said the University of Connecticut alum.
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“We knew that they were going to make a lot of 3s,” he added in a muted reference to Boston’s 3-point heavy style of offense known in some corners as “Mazzulla Ball”.
Dec 28, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) celebrates a basket and a foul with teammate Caleb Love (2) during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images
“We knew that they were very good,” he added. “Offensively, we knew one of their weaknesses coming in the game was defensive rebounding.”
“For me, just attacking the glass on both ends, and really just Just being aggressive and doing whatever I can to help my team win.”
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Donovan Clingan on how the Blazers beat the Celtics in the second half