For the second time this season, the Boston Celtics confronted the Milwaukee Bucks. After an preliminary recreation towards the not-so-scary Bucks at residence, the Celtics traveled to Wisconsin, residence of Sam Hauser’s household. After 48 minutes of basketball and a big comeback, right here’s what we realized.
Two consecutive 16-2 runs to begin video games
For the second time in a row, the Celtics have been overwhelmed badly within the first couple of minutes of the sport. You would possibly marvel if that is changing into a development or just dangerous luck. As normal, it’s doubtless a little bit of each.
The Celtics’ early-game offense was shortsighted, with most photographs being contested threes after only one go. They wished to push an early offense however didn’t create the perfect alternatives. The paint was onerous to penetrate with Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo guarding it, so the Celtics stayed across the perimeter.
This led to 2 issues: poor offense as a consequence of dangerous shot choice and elevated transition alternatives for the Bucks. This brings us to the defensive finish—how did the Celtics hand over 16 factors in lower than three minutes? As soon as once more, we see an issue with variance.
Whereas the Celtics missed contested threes, the Bucks made theirs. Giannis hit his first three of the season, Taurean Prince was on fireplace, and there wasn’t way more the Celtics might do to cease Milwaukee’s red-hot begin.
Jaylen’s offensive creation
To get the Celtics’ offense on observe, Jaylen stepped up when wanted. With the paint crowded, his mid-range recreation supplied much-needed selection. The mid-range is a useful gizmo to counter Lopez’s deep drop protection and growing old legs.
Jaylen additionally used his power to assault mismatches and create chaos. This doesn’t all the time present up as assists within the field rating, however his skill to attract defensive consideration on post-ups and drives opened up area for others.
Whereas the field rating would possibly recommend that the Jays had an off recreation, don’t let it idiot you. The Bucks’ defensive liabilities made them susceptible to the Celtics’ mismatch-hunting.
First-half protection: 404 not discovered
Whereas the offense started to click on after a shaky begin, the protection struggled. Within the first half, the Bucks posted a 132 offensive ranking, largely as a result of Celtics’ lackluster protection.
Transition protection has been a problem for the Celtics, as Mike Shearer identified. Shot choice, the double-big lineup, and an aggressive offensive rebounding technique have all contributed to this downside.
The defensive points have been additionally evident within the variety of backdoor cuts the Celtics allowed. This stemmed from a scarcity of focus and communication, permitting straightforward appears for Milwaukee.
Dame Lillard drew straightforward fouls in semi-transition, and Giannis had clear one-on-one alternatives with no assist defenders in sight.
Strategic defensive changes to power Andre Jackson Jr. out
Joe Mazzulla and his teaching employees once more confirmed their prowess. Whereas the Celtics’ offense struggled, they turned to a double-big lineup to bolster rim safety towards Giannis and Lillard.
Neemias Queta was introduced in, assigned to defend Andre Jackson Jr., however with a twist—Queta acted as a paint protector, permitting Jackson Jr. to roam across the three-point line. Jackson was instrumental in disrupting Tatum’s and Jaylen’s creation, so forcing him off the ground as a consequence of his restricted offense was essential.
He performed lower than 5 minutes within the second half, main the Bucks to present minutes to AJ Inexperienced—a greater shooter however a defensive legal responsibility.
The “speaking vases” impact
As French analyst Guillaume calls it, “speaking vases” have been at work. The Celtics’ defensive changes compelled Milwaukee to regulate their offense, which in flip weakened the Bucks’ protection, serving to Boston’s offense.
That is the great thing about basketball: including a second huge man to guard the paint not solely strengthens your protection, however may also improve your offense.
Payton Pritchard: elite shooter, creating passer
Payton Pritchard’s taking pictures show was a sight to behold. Within the first half, he scored 17 of the Celtics’ 58 factors. His scorching hand, mixed with off-ball motion and deep-range taking pictures, stored the Celtics inside attain.
Nonetheless, his recreation has limitations, primarily in playmaking. Pritchard can drive and kick to the sturdy aspect however struggles to go over or round defenders as a consequence of his dimension.
This restricts his skill to create for others, explaining why he’s hardly ever seen as a major creator.
Nice protection fuels nice offense
From the beginning of the second half, the Celtics reminded us why they’re an elite defensive workforce. After permitting a 132 offensive ranking within the first half, they held the Bucks to simply an 83 offensive ranking within the second.
Improved rotations compelled Milwaukee into troublesome photographs and turnovers.
Over the ultimate 24 minutes, the Celtics compelled turnovers on 20% of Milwaukee’s possessions—one in each 5! Jrue Vacation’s defensive experience was essential in stifling the Bucks’ offense.
Jayson Tatum’s off-ball affect
Jayson Tatum’s versatility permits him to raise the Celtics’ offense in varied methods. He can drive, pull up, and ship pinpoint passes to open teammates. Nonetheless, his off-ball recreation is equally spectacular—he reads defenses effectively and is a continuing menace.
As a screener, Tatum has turn into much more efficient with added muscle. He can roll onerous to the basket, play the short-roll or pick-and-pop for open photographs, additional diversifying the Celtics’ offense.
The Celtics have a celebrity, who can defend whomever he wants too, create others, or play off-ball to raised optimize the workforce offense. A participant who can stay outdoors of the motion till the protection made a mistake and punish with a 3 factors catch-&-shoot on the wing, and enhance the workforce lead when it was wanted.
Searching Lillard within the clutch
Within the closing minutes, the Celtics centered on exploiting Lillard’s defensive weaknesses. When he switched onto Tatum or Jaylen, they attacked instantly.
Lillard’s presence boosted Boston’s offensive ranking to 123, up from their common of 115—doubtless as a consequence of Lillard’s defensive shortcomings.
Successful with out the rim
Sometimes, the Celtics excel at ending across the rim, due to their spacing. Nonetheless, towards Milwaukee, they managed solely 17 rim makes an attempt, changing simply 53% of them. So, how did they handle an efficient offense?
First, they shot 49 threes at a 39% clip. However simply as crucially, they drew fouls and earned a 28% free-throw price, compensating for his or her poor rim numbers. The flexibility to generate factors from the road offset the workforce’s struggles close to the basket.
As soon as once more, the Celtics confirmed their adaptability—they’ll discover methods to win, even when their normal strengths are neutralized.
