Sam Hauser latest Celtic with big game from 3-point range

Forward Sam Hauser takes a 3-point shot against the Jazz during Bostons 114-108 win on Monday in Boston.

Hauser scored 33 points, including nine 3-pointers.

Charles Krupa/Associated Press BOSTON Sam Hauser started in place of Jayson Tatum and did what he and the Boston Celtics have done all season: shoot a bunch of 3-pointers and make more than their share.

WHO: Oklahoma City Thunder at Boston Celtics WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday TELEVISION: ESPN, NBCSB Hauser made a season-high nine 3s, part of a career-best 33-point night in the Celtics 114-108 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday.

He joined teammates Tatum, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard in having a game with nine 3s or more the first time four teammates have done that in an NBA season.

Perhaps it was inevitable for a team that shoots an NBA-most 47.5 3s per game and makes 17.7.

The Celtics are the only team to attempt more 3-pointers than 2-pointers.

They outdid those averages by making 18 of 53 on Monday night, led by Hauser, who went 9 of 19.

Boston was 22 of 40 inside the arc.

No idea, no idea, but thats cool, Hauser said when asked if was aware of he and his teammates accomplishment.

Four days earlier, Pritchard made 10 3s in Bostons 123-105 win over Philadelphia.

The day before that, White made nine 3s in a win over Portland.

Tatum, who sat out Monday night to manage a right knee issue, made nine 3s against Chicago in December.

Hauser also became the 20th NBA player to make at least seven 3s in a quarter, doing it in the third against the Jazz.

Running in transition and trying to find a window, these guys were looking for me.

I was just trying to make that decision pay off, Hauser said.

Sometimes when you get in a flow, every shot you take feels like its going in.

Three is more than two and the Celtics live by that axiom, winning the NBA title last season and sitting comfortably in second place in the Eastern Conference as they seek a repeat.

It wasnt like we were going out of our way to get him the ball.

He has an innate ability to find the ball and create advantages, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.

The guys did a great job of finding him once he got hot.

Theres no shot that he shoots that we think is a bad shot.

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS WAS not on the Celtics bench on Monday night.

However, he was on the mind of Mazzulla and many of his teammates after he missed his sixth straight game due to illness.

Porzingis made his first public comments about his condition in the midst of Bostons win after he was downgraded from doubtful to out before the victory.

I have been dealing with some viral illness that we havent been able to fully identify yet, Porzingis posted on social media.

I am recovering and getting better.

But still working my way back to full strength to help this team.

Thanks for support and Im hoping for a healthy return soon.

Mazzulla responded to Porzingis statement Monday with more insight on his condition.

I think he said it best, Mazzulla said.

I think at the end of the day, just making sure hes safe.

Hes still able to come in and be around the guys as best he can.

Try to stay in the best shape possible.

Hes been on the court.

Hes doing what he can to get back.

But he kind of said it best at the same time, weve just got to kind of make sure hes good, and we do whats best for him.

Porzingis teammates also struck optimistic tones when speaking about the big mans recovery after Mondays win Hes been around, hes doing better, Hauser said.

Hopefully, we can see him Wednesday.

If not, hopefully, next game after that.

Just hoping hes doing all right.

I think he is.

He looks like hes coming around, so thats exciting for us.

Porzingis has missed seven of Bostons last eight games overall dating back to a win over the Raptors on February 25.

I know its difficult for him not to be out there playing with us and hes doing everything he can to get back, White said.

He knows we always got his back and we know hes doing everything he needs to do to get back and try to figure out whats going on.

When he comes back, itll be great to have him.

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