#1 – Daniel Gafford on Jrue Vacation
Because the season evolves, extra groups appear to observe the Grizzlies’ method. Again in December, Memphis determined to depart Jrue Vacation open from three to crowd the paint and hold a rim protector close to the basket. Memphis used Jaren Jackson Jr. as a roamer within the paint, ignoring Jrue within the nook. Final evening, it was Daniel Gafford who adopted an identical technique.
Nevertheless, the Celtics’ method to this defensive protection has developed. In opposition to the Grizzlies, Jrue was used as a stationary shooter within the nook and tried 17 threes that evening. In opposition to Dallas, Joe Mazzulla and his teaching employees adjusted to this tactic. They put the ball in Jrue Vacation’s arms extra incessantly.
They utilized him extra as a ball handler, encouraging him to drive, pull up, and work off his teammates’ screens. Utilizing on-ball screens was one of the simplest ways to pressure a swap and pull Daniel Gafford away from Jrue Vacation. For instance, when Gafford switched onto Jayson Tatum, the Mavericks’ protection needed to ship assistance on the ball, leaving one of many Celtics’ gamers open.
With Jrue Vacation extra concerned, the veteran guard was capable of keep engaged within the offense and capitalize on alternatives. Scoring 17 factors on 12 makes an attempt, it’s clear the defensive recreation plan didn’t cease Jrue Vacation from impacting the sport. Nevertheless, this defensive technique had a broader affect—as soon as once more, the Celtics struggled on the rim.
#2 – Rim effectivity points proceed
For the second recreation in a row, the Celtics shot under 40% on the rim, removed from their common 70%. The quantity was additionally low, with solely 20% of their makes an attempt coming inside 4 toes of the basket. With a defender consistently roaming the paint and leaving Jrue Vacation or the weak-side nook open, Dallas successfully lowered the Celtics’ rim stress and effectivity.
Celtics opponents appear content material to depart one among Boston’s gamers open past the arc if it forces the group into contested pictures on the rim or within the mid-range. Contemplating the Celtics’ latest capturing struggles, this method is smart for opposing groups, because it disrupts the offense and will increase the probability of missed threes. Generally, there was as much as three Mavs within the paint:
Final evening, nevertheless, this defensive technique wasn’t sufficient, because the Celtics managed to create the much-needed hole late within the third quarter.
#3 – Triples to beat the zone
Late within the third quarter, the Dallas Mavericks switched to a 2-3 zone to disrupt driving lanes.
The Celtics’ bench unit tailored rapidly. Via sensible ball motion—working the ball out and in to break down the zone protection—the Celtics had been capable of generate open threes, closing out a dominant 37–27 third quarter and coming into the ultimate 12 minutes with a 20-point benefit.
This zone protection aimed to restrict drives and nook threes, however the Celtics have gotten extra snug capturing from above the break. Because of this, they exploited the gaps within the zone to complete the quarter robust.
#4 – Derrick White’s third-quarter takeover
The third quarter additionally featured Derrick White taking up the sport. Inside eight minutes, White had outscored all the Mavericks group within the quarter. His contributions had been important, because the Celtics struggled to begin the second half.
He started by making the most of Kristaps Porziņģis’ gravity, pulling down a nook three.
White’s driving recreation was additionally on full show, together with his floater recreation briefly returning. Because the Mavericks packed the paint to guard the rim, his floater grew to become essential. His means to drive, create area for himself, and loft the ball over the rim protector stored the Celtics’ offense alive.
After just a few quieter video games, Derrick White reminded everybody on ESPN why he’s thought-about one of the best function participant within the NBA.
#5 – Jaylen Brown’s mid-range recreation
This season, Jaylen Brown has confronted robust luck from three, and his rim ending hasn’t been as robust as earlier than. Nevertheless, his mid-range recreation proved useful on this matchup.
With the Mavericks centered on stopping the Celtics from attending to the rim, the mid-range grew to become a viable choice. Jaylen Brown leaned into this, trying 14 of his 21 pictures from the mid-range. Using floaters, submit strikes, and fadeaways, Brown showcased some old-school scoring.
Nonetheless, his effectivity remained low. Brown completed with a 47% true capturing share on excessive utilization. Regardless of this, his driving and scoring gravity drew defensive consideration, opening alternatives for his teammates, and he ended the sport with a team-high six assists.
#6 – 11 assists from the bench
Not too long ago, the Celtics’ bench has struggled to assist the offense as successfully because it did earlier within the season. Final evening, nevertheless, was a reminder of the bench unit’s significance. Horford, Kornet, Pritchard, and Hauser mixed for 11 assists, contributing considerably to the group’s offensive success.
With ball motion and aggressive rebounding, the bench offered an power enhance the beginning 5 typically lacks. Their deal with creating one of the best shot and successful possession battles proved to be a game-changer.
#7 – Dallas struggles with out Kyrie
On the opposite aspect, the Mavericks’ offense faltered every time Kyrie Irving was off the ground. With Irving on the court docket, their offensive score was a stellar 123. Nevertheless, within the six minutes he sat, the Mavericks’ offense fell aside, dragging their general offensive score right down to 110.
With out Luka Dončić and Dereck Full of life, the Mavericks lack offensive choices through the jiffy Kyrie is resting. For Dallas to cope with groups like Boston within the playoffs, they’ll should be at full energy.
#8 – Transition offense after rebounds
The Celtics’ urgency on offense was evident final evening. After each rebound, they pushed the ball rapidly towards the Mavericks’ basket. Stay rebounds become simple factors via sensible ball motion and early offense.
It’s uncommon to see the Celtics taking part in with this stage of tempo after rebounds—even after made baskets. By initiating offense rapidly, they prevented the Mavericks from organising their protection, overcoming Dallas’ efforts to stifle Boston’s half-court recreation.
#9 – Caring for the ball
Within the first half, the Celtics didn’t commit a single turnover. This self-discipline eradicated Dallas’ means to capitalize in transition and create simple scoring alternatives. Lacking their major playmaker and offensive engine, the Mavericks struggled to compensate.
Dallas tried to make up for this deficit with offensive rebounding and fast-break alternatives after misses, however the Celtics’ half-court protection was sharp. The Mavericks managed a dismal 84 offensive score in these conditions.
By defending the ball, the Celtics successfully neutralized Dallas’ greatest probability to remain aggressive with out Luka Dončić.
#10 – Ballers’ duel: Kyrie and the Jays
Generally, evaluation takes a backseat to sheer enjoyment. Final evening’s offensive performances from Kyrie Irving and the Jays had been a pleasure to look at. I’ve compiled a spotlight reel of their greatest strikes:
