#1 Obtained to do higher on the glass
Permitting 22 offensive rebounds in opposition to a rebuilding workforce that has struggled to tread water this season just isn’t ultimate for the Boston Celtics. Sure, they’re going to assemble some knowledge and might be taught from the sport tape, however the truth that they had been dominated on their glass is regarding.
The Portland Path Blazers boast a number of bodily our bodies of their frontcourt. Boston wants to search out methods to beat these bodily challenges when dropping the muscle battle on the glass. Xavier Tillman was acquired for this particular cause.
I get that the Celtics’ season is over. I get that they’re experimenting with totally different features of their recreation plan, rotations, mixtures, and minute distribution. I get that they nonetheless gained the sport. What I don’t get is how they struggled to regulate to restrict Jabari Walker (6 offensive boards) and Deandre Ayton (7 offensive boards) all through the sport.
You’ll be able to stay with a few hustle rebounds. You’ll be able to stay with some lengthy rebounds discovering the opposing workforce. You’ll be able to’t stay with being outworked round your personal rim.
Undoubtedly one thing for Joe Mazzulla and the teaching employees to work on within the closing weeks.
#2 Brown makes historical past
Jaylen Brown hit the ten,000 factors mark in opposition to Portland. He celebrated with a salute to the followers in attendance, after which he bought again to work.
Brown completed the layup with a left-handed end. It was probably a homage to the discourse surrounding his “lack of a left hand” that occurred all through final summer season. Nonetheless, seeing Brown hit such a giant milestone was enjoyable. He’s had a tremendous season, and this was a superb approach of including to that.
“I don’t wanna skip over that. It’s been an important journey. Regardless that the journey continues to be going, you simply take the moments to understand all the exhausting work and energy that has gone into getting so far,” Brown advised the media. “I’m extremely grateful and I’m trying ahead to the longer term. … And I’m trying ahead to only proceed to develop, proceed to enhance, and to maximise my potential.
#3 Hauser’s shot bounced again
After a horrendous 1-of-18 evening in opposition to the Sacramento Kings, Sam Hauser bounced again with a much more balanced efficiency. He didn’t flip nuclear, or uncover his flamethrower fashion taking pictures. He did, nonetheless, recognized down his photographs at a good clip.
Hauser ended the sport with 10 factors on 4-of-6 taking pictures. He transformed 2 of his 4 perimeter photographs, too. For Celtics followers, seeing Hauser rapidly bounce again after an evening that would go down because the worst in his profession is encouraging. The perfect shooters have quick reminiscences.
The very last thing the Celtics wanted heading into the playoffs was for Hauser to lose his confidence and embark on a taking pictures stoop. He’s too essential to the bench spacing, and his motion taking pictures offers a priceless decoy or launch valve choice, relying on how the defensive performs him.
#4 Pritchard’s surge continues
Payton Pritchard’s recreation has gone to a different degree this season.
All of the numbers are pointing at him being one of many NBA’s most dependable back-up guards. In current weeks, his recreation has gone up one other notch. His playmaking — as soon as considered as a possible weak spot — has change into a core energy. He ended the evening in opposition to Portland with 8 assists to his identify together with 20 factors on 9-of-13 taking pictures.
In fact, there’s one thing about Pritchard enjoying in opposition to Portland. He at all times raises his recreation. Nonetheless, his efficiency on Sunday wasn’t an outlier. As a substitute, it’s change into par for the course.
I’m actually having fun with Pritchard’s current performances. If he can maintain this manufacturing into the playoffs, he will probably be a significant a part of Boston’s potential success.
#5 Dalano Banton is shining
Dalano Banton was by no means going to search out success with the Celtics. There was an excessive amount of competitors for locations and an excessive amount of expertise forward of him within the rotation. Nonetheless, the Path Blazers have greater than sufficient alternative for him, and now, he’s thriving in a considerably bigger function off the bench.
Since becoming a member of the Path Blazers, Banton has averaged 16.4 factors, 3.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. He shoots 42.5% from the sphere on 14.3 shot makes an attempt per recreation. That is the type of alternative he wanted to show that he may cling within the NBA and thrive in a job that allowed him to showcase his abilities.
Wanting forward
The Celtics are again in motion on Wednesday. They are going to face the Milwaukee Bucks in a recreation that would have been big, however now will probably be one other verify on the checklist because the Celtics saunter into the postseason.
Milwaukee wants wins. Boston doesn’t. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how each groups method this recreation and what teaching choices are constructed from each Doc Rivers and Mazzulla.
Catch you all on Wednesday.
