#1 – Rim strain to start out issues off
The connection between the rim and the Celtics has been inconsistent these days. With three-point pictures not falling, the Celtics prioritized attacking the rim to start out the sport.
Within the first quarter, the Celtics took 11 pictures within the paint whereas trying solely 5 three-pointers. This aggressive strategy led to certainly one of their finest begins in current video games, scoring 35 factors within the first 12 minutes. They went 5-of-5 on the rim, 6-of-6 on the free-throw line, and recorded seven assists with solely two turnovers.
Towards a robust protection, the Celtics wanted to transform their pictures to arrange their half-court defensive plan towards Paolo Banchero.
#2 – Anti-Banchero plan
With Franz Wagner out, Orlando’s offensive creation grew to become extra predictable, funneling by means of Paolo Banchero. The Celtics had been ready with a plan to gradual him down.
In post-up conditions, the Celtics didn’t permit mismatches to persist, forcing Banchero to maneuver the ball as an alternative of driving. They sometimes shifted right into a box-and-one protection, with Jrue Vacation guarding Banchero full-court whereas the remainder of the crew zoned across the paint.
The Celtics additionally switched off-ball to keep away from leaving defenders remoted towards the robust wing. This defensive strategy disrupted Orlando’s rhythm, slowing their offense and forcing them to discover various scoring routes.
Boston utilized some intelligent ways too. Figuring out the Magic wished to focus on Payton Pritchard, they sometimes assigned him to Banchero initially of performs. When Banchero set a display screen, Pritchard would change off, and Vacation would take over the defensive task.
General, the Celtics successfully contained Banchero, holding him to a 0.9 points-per-shot effectivity, 21 factors, and simply 4 assists.
#3 – Remainder of the Magic couldn’t sustain
As soon as the Celtics slowed down Banchero, they centered on contesting the remainder of Orlando’s roster, guaranteeing their defensive technique wasn’t punished by open pictures.
Thankfully for Boston, the Magic shot simply 16% from three, permitting the Celtics to proceed doubling Banchero and shutting out exhausting on different gamers. The aim was to maintain Kristaps Porziņģis within the driving lane, power Banchero to move, rotate successfully, and contest pictures.
The video above illustrates how constant the Celtics had been in sustaining their defensive technique all through whole possessions.
#4 – Kristaps Porziņģis aggressive early
After Boston’s loss in Toronto, Kristaps Porziņģis voiced his issues about their efficiency. He backed up his phrases with an aggressive begin, opening the sport with an empty-side pick-and-roll end on the rim.
Porziņģis used his dimension to use Orlando’s lack of physicality, establishing robust post-up positions. His skill to attain within the put up is significant to Boston’s offense, because it prevents him from being diminished to only a pick-and-pop risk. He demonstrated this within the first quarter.
Including a three-pointer to his early manufacturing, Porziņģis tallied 11 factors in simply eight minutes of the primary quarter—a robust response to the earlier sport’s disappointment.
#5 – Submit-up gravity
As beforehand talked about, Porziņģis’ offensive impression extends past three-point taking pictures. His skill to punish mismatches forces defenses to regulate and creates alternatives for his teammates. For example, on this clip, the Magic protection shifts off-ball, permitting Jayson Tatum to search out Al Horford for a simple bucket.
Porziņģis’ dimension can also be a invaluable asset when passing out of double groups. His top and attain permit him to ship correct passes to open teammates.
Given his gravity and passing skill, it’s value contemplating whether or not Porziņģis must be utilized extra as an offensive hub.
#6 – Jayson Tatum’s paint dominance within the second
Within the second quarter, Jayson Tatum changed into an unstoppable power, attacking the paint towards whoever Orlando put in his manner. He drove, posted up, and performed on either side of the pick-and-roll.
His offensive repertoire was on full show, with exact footwork permitting him to navigate the paint and create layups.
What stood out most was his involvement in pick-and-rolls, each as a ball-handler and screener. Tatum is arguably one of the best participant relating to being a twin risk in pick-and-roll conditions.
When Tatum focuses on dominating the paint, he turns into practically unattainable to cease. His rim effectivity this season (72%) is a testomony to that.
#7 – Jaylen Brown attending to the road
After Tatum’s dominant second quarter, Jaylen Brown took over within the third. He was relentless in attacking the paint, delivering one help and scoring on a mid-range jumper whereas incomes eight free-throw makes an attempt.
Brown is averaging a career-high 5.6 free-throw makes an attempt per sport, however contemplating his utilization and driving quantity, there’s room for extra. Final night time, he capitalized on his aggression, scoring half of his factors from the road—a promising response after the loss to Toronto.
#8 – Two halves, two tales
The Celtics’ shot profile shifted considerably between halves.
Within the first half, they tried 21 pictures within the paint, changing 14. Within the second half, that quantity dropped to 10, with extra makes an attempt coming from three and mid-range. Regardless of their aggressive begin, the Celtics reverted to outdated habits within the second half.
#9 – Lengthy mid-range pictures are again?
One notable development was the elevated use of lengthy mid-range pictures by Tatum and Brown. The Celtics tried 12% of their pictures from this vary—their highest since November.
Though three-point makes an attempt have barely decreased not too long ago, Boston appears to be diversifying its offense with extra drives and mid-range pull-ups.
#10 – Who will play towards Atlanta tonight?
With each Porziņģis and Horford taking part in final night time towards Orlando, who will take the courtroom tonight? Will Luke Kornet or Sam Hauser return to the beginning lineup? Or will Porziņģis play in a back-to-back? Might this be a chance for the “stay-ready” group? Extra on that tomorrow.
Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t often performed each legs of a again to again, however stated he believes there’s an opportunity he’ll play tomorrow.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 18, 2025
