#1 – Transition protection is again?
Effectively, in fact, it is only one sport. But, the Raptors are the most effective transition groups within the NBA. They’re third in transition quantity and seventh in factors per sport in transition. On the opposite finish, the Celtics confronted some transition protection struggles over the primary months of the season. This sport was a fantastic problem for Joe Mazzulla’s workforce and a possibility to remind Celtics followers how nice they are often on protection.
After a tough begin for the Celtics offense, the Raptors confirmed how briskly they are often in transition, however the Celtics have been capable of catch up. Led by Derrick White’s effort, the defending champs have been disciplined and ran as quick as they might to show a straightforward transition right into a defensive cease. The previous Spur blocked 4 makes an attempt over the 27 minutes he performed. A formidable efficiency to complete the yr on a excessive observe.
#2 – Payton Pritchard’s tight deal with
One of many causes Payton Pritchard is so environment friendly is his deal with and skill to not lose the ball. Along with his taking pictures performances and low turnover charge, Payton Pritchard is without doubt one of the most effective gamers within the NBA. Solely Jimmy Butler, Cameron Johnson, and De’Andre Hunter match this effectivity at an analogous quantity.
On the final episode of the good podcast View For The Rafters, Payton Pritchard talks about how a lot he labored on his deal with.
Wrote up a chunk on Payton Pritchard’s glorious VFTR podcast episode.
If you wish to get a glance into his mindset and work ethic, he talks about it extensively. Mentions how he practiced dribbling with a chilly ball till his fingers would bleed(!!!)https://t.co/eApmnf7ssj
— Harris Rubenstein (@Sportstein) December 30, 2024
The onerous work paid off as Payton Pritchard grew to become the most effective gamers at retaining the dribble alive, which makes him a relentless menace to the opposing protection. His general enhancements, from his deal with to his footwork, are one of many causes his skill to complete on the rim has elevated a lot. He went from being a below-average rim finisher to some of the environment friendly amongst guards. After all, the spacing helps, however Payton Pritchard retains getting higher too.
#3 – Jrue Vacation is again like he by no means left
It’s the vacation season and the Celtics undoubtedly wanted Jrue to be again on the court docket. Alongside Derrick White, his defensive playmaking helped the Celtics flip protection into offense.
With 3 steals and nice defensive stretches on whoever Joe Mazzulla requested him to protect, Jrue Vacation led the Celtics to historic defensive performances. On prime of that, he reminded us how versatile he might be on the offensive finish. Grabbing offensive rebounds, setting screens, swinging the ball to an open man, and, in fact, the taking pictures.
That is additionally a fantastic reminder that the Celtics’ latest struggles have been attributable to key gamers lacking time—and the way nice they are often if everyone seems to be wholesome.
#4 – Jordan Walsh offensive mixtape
After the starters dismantled the Raptors’ protection, the stay-ready group was invited to the dance—and Jordan Walsh had some strikes he needed to indicate. His two drives, utilizing Queta’s display screen, have been actually spectacular.
His protection manipulation, the timing of his dribbles, and footwork opened the rim for him. He confirmed he can use a display screen like an actual playmaker to create separation, then drive and make one of the best determination primarily based on the benefit he generated.
His size helps him end above and round rim protectors, and it forces us to marvel what may occur if he performed extra. After all, the taking pictures nonetheless has its ups and downs, however the extra we see him play, the extra it turns into apparent he might be a difference-maker in essential video games later this season.
#5 – Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta stunning zoom motion
Typically you suppose a basketball sport may get boring when your workforce is main by 40 factors, after which the basketball gods remind us how a lot enjoyable this sport might be. From the highest, the Celtics get right into a zoom motion (an off-ball display screen plus a dribble handoff) with Payton Pritchard as the person on the transfer, Sam Hauser because the display screen, and Neemias Queta because the ball handler.
This can be a nice mixture of gamers for a zoom motion, as each Hauser and Pritchard can punish from three, and Queta is a superb rim runner and a lob menace. As Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser have been in a fantastic sport, the protection centered on them and forgot to assist on Queta. This gave us one other stunning spotlight to complete the yr.
#6 – Sam Hauser’s confidence appears to be again
After a tough few video games, Sam Hauser had a fantastic sport final evening. After a number of normal catch-and-shoots, the Celtics sharp-shooter went loopy. Early within the fourth, late within the possession, Sam Hauser had the ball in his arms and needed to decide shortly.
He drives left, can’t discover a solution to the rim… so he steps again within the nook and makes an inconceivable shot over the good defensive guard Davion Mitchell. After all, it’s only a spotlight, however Sam Hauser and the TD Backyard wanted it!
#7 – Celtics have been unstoppable within the second half
After a sluggish begin, and solely 2 factors scored over the primary 5 minutes of the sport, the Celtics became an unstoppable offensive machine within the second half: 80 factors scored during the last 24 minutes, 78% from three, and 18 assists.
Each the starters and the bench have been on hearth final evening and made positive the followers on the TD Backyard completed 2024 with one of the best memento attainable.
#8 – Are the Jaylen Brown left-hand jokes a factor of the previous?
Getting into a brand new yr, we frequently wish to depart issues behind us—and Jaylen Brown’s left-hand jokes is likely to be certainly one of them. His offensive sport has developed once more this yr, and the deal with has as soon as once more improved.
The numbers are telling us Jaylen Brown retains getting extra comfy at attending to the rim. He elevated his drive quantity from 10 to 14 per sport this season—and his post-up sport has turned him into some of the environment friendly gamers from this place.
#9 – Wanting forward
To begin the brand new yr, the Celtics have a few roadtrip planed. First, a 4 video games stretch the place the Celtics should face among the finest defenses within the league (Houston and Minnesota) and two MVP candidates (Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander).
Then, one other 4 video games roadtrip on the westside wherein the Celtics should duel with each LA groups, the Warriors and the Mavericks. An entertaining month forward the place we are going to study loads about this workforce.
#10 – Completely satisfied new yr to all of you!
I couldn’t be happier to begin the yr as a author for CelticsBlog—a yr in the past, I didn’t even know that might be attainable. Because of all of you for all of the suggestions, feedback, and assist.
I’m wishing for a fantastic 2025 yr to all of you from the French Alps, and hope for all of us to witness our Celtics successful their nineteenth title.
