Another factor was that Jrue Holiday did not play, as he was absent because of a hamstring injury. The Celtics could have used Holiday's ballhandling and playmaking in his absence, and he may have made all the difference,

Celtics guard Jrue Holiday took over the third quarter and helped Boston pull away. His defense led to offense.

Jrue Holiday has been ruled out and will miss his third straight game with a right hamstring strain, while Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable with a right knee posterior impingement.