The Boston Celtics had been in Atlanta final evening and made certain to shut the sport as early as potential in order that they’d be in form to vote the subsequent day. Dealing with a fast-paced workforce with energetic gamers, the Celtics confirmed they’ll adapt to their opponents.
1. Greatest transition sport of the season
Wanting on the Celtics’ double-big lineup in opposition to the high-speed Atlanta Hawks, I used to be apprehensive the Celtics wouldn’t sustain. But it surely was fairly the alternative.
After a sluggish begin, the Celtics grew to become extra aggressive, creating turnovers. Per Cleansing the Glass, 20% of the Hawks’ possessions led to turnovers. Following these turnovers, the Celtics created many good alternatives, however much more spectacular was their tempo after a rebound.
On common, NBA groups create a transition alternative on 30% of their defensive rebounds. Final evening in Atlanta, the Celtics generated an try on 51% of their defensive rebounds. They pushed the pace button exhausting, outpacing one of many quickest groups within the league.
2. Pace to compensate for expertise
When Jayson Tatum was on the bench, the Celtics actually pushed the tempo.
Tatum sat at the beginning of the 2nd quarter, and the Hawks started to present the Celtics a tough time. To regulate, Joe Mazzulla took a timeout and emphasised operating exhausting after a cease.
Within the play above, Queta and Pritchard run off-ball, pressuring the Hawks’ protection. Vacation’s fast display screen on the trailer put the protection on its heels, concurrently Queta, is establishing an exit display screen for Hauser, who lower to the rim for an open shot due to the spacing and teamwork.
3. Extra pictures on the rim than normal
The Celtics exploited the Hawks’ lack of rim safety nicely. To date this season, they take 28% of their pictures on the rim with 68% effectivity. Towards Atlanta, that rose to 33% at a 77% effectivity.
This was essential as a result of the Hawks had been capable of make life troublesome behind the three-point line. However the Celtics took benefit of the Hawks’ aggressive perimeter protection to assault the rim.
In a 5-out excessive put up offense, the Celtics put the ball within the fingers of their weakest shooter to create area. Tillman, a powerful passer, discovered success within the excessive put up. Round him, Tatum, Pritchard, and Hauser, all stable three-point shooters, combined screens. The Hawks targeted so exhausting on stopping the three that they left the rim uncovered.
4. One play exhibits why the Hawks’ protection has too many weaknesses
The Celtics exploited the Hawks’ defensive weaknesses with pace, transition play, and by difficult their perimeter aggression. The Hawks have too many structural points to maintain up. Trae Younger and Clint Capela are straightforward targets, and even with nice defensive wings, they’ll’t totally compensate.
On the play above, Capela stayed within the paint on the weak aspect whereas Younger received screened. Zaccharie Risacher stepped up as Queta rolled. Capela tagged the middle, leaving Risacher to contest Vacation’s open three. The Celtics’ spacing, coupled with the Hawks’ defensive liabilities, opened up high quality pictures.
5. Jayson Tatum nonetheless performs like an MVP
Simply one other day on the workplace for Tatum. Within the first half, he relentlessly used his teammates’ screens to focus on Trae Younger on protection, making him work. After 18 minutes, Tatum had scored 26 factors, delivered 4 assists, and was in every single place on the court docket.
His exercise on and off-ball was spectacular. When he had the ball, he drove aggressively, breaking down the protection. Off-ball, he moved always, creating alternatives. Whereas followers might bear in mind his stepbacks and dunks, Tatum’s off-ball affect is exclusive and elevates him.
6. Queta brings vitality on offense…
The double-big lineup with Queta and Horford was fascinating. Queta provides extra verticality than Kornet or Tillman, which pairs nicely with Horford, who can spot up and depart most screens to Queta. He generated seven factors along with his screens and created loads of area. His vitality, angles, and offensive rebounding additionally made him an amazing lob menace.
Although restricted by his capturing, he helps the offense with the small issues which have a big effect.
7. However he’s focused on protection
Whereas constructive on offense, Queta struggled to suit defensively. Maybe taking part in alongside one other large doesn’t assist.
Assigned to protect one of many Hawks’ wings whereas Horford matched up with Capela, he stayed near the rim. Nevertheless, the Hawks’ fast, vertical wings nonetheless discovered methods to focus on him early, conserving the sport shut… at the least within the first quarter.
8. Payton Pritchard’s sixth Man of the 12 months case retains rising
What will we anticipate from a sixth man? Affect the sport as quickly as they hit the ground. Final evening, Pritchard entered with the Celtics up by 1; 40 seconds later, they had been up by 6, with Pritchard scoring 5 straight factors.
This season, he’s scoring at a 67% true capturing effectivity and infrequently turns the ball over. His effort on protection and +16.3 OnCourt +/- affect present his worth, reinforcing Mike Shearer’s confidence in his 6MOY candidacy.
9. The 4th quarter offense was a tricky watch…
Up by 28 within the fourth quarter, the “Keep Prepared” group struggled offensively. Out of 12 minutes, the Celtics had simply three assisted subject targets, dedicated seven turnovers, and went 1/11 from three. It was clear Davidson, Scheieman, and Springer nonetheless have to develop offensively.
However with how dominant the Celtics are, they’ll seemingly get extra possibilities this season.
10. …However the protection was stable
Regardless of offensive struggles, the “Keep Prepared” group performed nicely on protection, going through a proficient Hawks bench.
Springer and Walsh led the best way, forcing seven turnovers within the ultimate quarter. They’ll look to construct on their defensive efforts and develop into more practical within the half-court offense because the season progresses.
