BOSTON — Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens is on board with the idea of Marcus Morris in this year’s 3-point Shootout at All-Star weekend.
Two days after Morris playfully hinted he’d like an invite, Stevens said Boston’s forward deserves the chance to showcase his improved 3-point stroke in Charlotte next month.
"He should be in it. I don’t think there’s any doubt,” said Stevens. "I mean, he’s shooting great, he deserves it, he makes tough ones, he makes them in a bunch of different ways. I think it would be great if he got a chance to participate in that. That’d be fun.”
Morris is shooting a career-best 43 percent beyond the 3-point arc this season and ranks 10th overall in the NBA among qualifiers. During an appearance on NBC Sports Boston’s Postgame Live following Boston’s win over the Heat on Monday, Morris made his pitch to be in the competition.
“Shooters shoot, man,” said Morris. “Hopefully i can knock enough down to get into that 3-point contest.”
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Morris has been one of Boston’s most consistent players this season and is averaging a career-best 14.8 points per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the floor overall. Before a recent cool streak, he was maybe the team’s best option for a second All-Star behind Kyrie Irving, though Boston’s uneven play could prevent the team from securing a second spot.
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Add in his free-throw prowess and Morris has flirted with the exclusive 50/40/90 club at times this season. He sat at shooting percentages of 48.3/43/87.3 entering Wednesday’s action.
The Celtics should have at least one extra representative at All-Star weekend. The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that second-year forward Jayson Tatum has secured an invite to the Skills Challenge.
All-Star team captains and starters will be announced Thursday night. Rising Stars participants will be unveiled Tuesday, and All-Star reserves will follow on January 29.
All-Star Saturday night participants are not scheduled to be formally announced until Feb. 5.
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