#1 16-0
Defending the house courtroom has clearly grow to be a spotlight this season. Even with a short-handed roster, the Celtics managed to increase their document at dwelling to 16-0. It wasn’t straightforward, although. A giant fourth-quarter run setup a nervy end for the Celtics. Nonetheless, as we’ve seen so many occasions this season, Boston saved their heads, saved plucking away possession after possession and had been capable of squeak out a troublesome win.
Turning your private home ground right into a fortress is the staple of a championship-level workforce. Making it so everybody who visits Boston is aware of that they’re going through an uphill battle towards probably the most gifted rosters within the league, with a number of the most passionate followers and an unbeaten document staring down at them, can grow to be extremely daunting.
#2 Kornet makes a distinction
Luke Kornet missed many of the West Coast highway journey because of harm. Then, when he was cleared to play, his minutes had been being given to Neemias Queta. The identical factor occurred towards the Detroit Pistons, too. Nonetheless, with Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis out with harm, Kornet received his probability to shine.
20 factors and eight rebounds is a strong return. Particularly whenever you think about Kornet’s efficiency as a screener, defender, and rim protector, too. The actual fact is, at this stage of Queta’s improvement, Kornet is a extra practical huge man. He doesn’t provide the power increase you get from Queta, however he does provide you with dependable minutes on each side of the ground. He’s additionally gifted as a roll man and regularly finds methods to impression the offensive finish together with his motion.
I actually favored this short-roll motion from Kornet at first of the third. He units a slip display screen for Jaylen Brown, will get the ball across the nail, waits for Scottie Barnes to assist off of Jrue Vacation, after which kicks the ball into the nook.
Kornet operates at a extra deliberate tempo than a few of his teammates, and at occasions, that may assist manipulate the opposing protection.
#3 The deep bench
We received to see an honest quantity of the Celtics’ deeper bench rotation towards the Toronto Raptors. Svi Mykhailiuk, Dalano Banton, Queta, and Oshae Brissett all received minutes. To start the season, my largest concern surrounding the deeper bench rotation was the shortage of offense. Positive, Brissett and Lamar Stevens are strong defenders. Sure, Svi can nail his jumpers, however lacks creation, and I wasn’t actually positive the place Queta would function.
Nonetheless, each participant that checked into the sport for Boston made an impression. Svi had arguably the most effective play out of the deeper bench with this magnificence.
The best way Svi bought the hand-off motion earlier than turning the nook was spectacular and created an thrilling end. He’s nonetheless unlikely to be an everyday function within the rotation, but figuring out that scoring depth is on the bench is reassuring.
#4 The sharpshooters
Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard: Two key members of the first bench rotation and two respectable sharpshooters on the NBA degree. Each loved a superb recreation in barely larger roles towards the Raptors. Hauser completed one level and one rebound away from a double-double whereas utilizing his scoring gravity as a weapon to get others open.
Pritchard’s pace, penetration, and taking pictures left the Raptors with a problem on protection because of his skill to assault closeouts and create offense for others. Pritchard didn’t have the most effective taking pictures night time however discovered different methods to be efficient.
Take this play, as an illustration. The Celtics run a weakside stagger actions with Hauser curling out of the nook. Because the protection locks in on the weakside motion, Pritchard drives the lane and forces the Raptors to separate their focus. As quickly as Toronto’s protection turns their backs on the weakside window-dressing, Kornet cuts to the rim and will get to complete the play.
The complete offensive possession relies across the menace Hauser poses when curling off screens and the way Pritchard’s skill to “Nash” his dribble usually results in dependable kick-out passes to shooters on the perimeter.
Positive, Kornet is the one to complete the play. Nonetheless, it’s the specter of Boston’s two major shooters that created the confusion and generated the spacing that ended up with an open roll towards the bucket.
#5 Jaylen Brown, All-Star
Within the first half, because the Celtics pushed the tempo and took management of the sport, Jaylen Brown was on the forefront of the workforce’s offensive recreation plan. His function as a major scorer and slasher has helped elevate his recreation to new ranges. That is the most effective model of Brown we’ve ever seen. Issues cooled off within the second half, with Brown scoring seven factors over two quarters.
Nonetheless, with no Tatum, Porzingis, or Horford, Brown confirmed why he may very well be an All-Star choice once more this yr. He’s a respectable three-level scorer. He pressures defenses and assaults gaps, drives the seams, and is aware of how one can attain his spots.
His deal with has improved. He’s discovered how one can range his pace to create unpredictability, and his improved energy permits him to complete by means of contact persistently.
Right here’s a strong instance of how Brown’s physique management across the rim allowed him to safe the bucket and draw the foul. I’m a giant fan of how Brown is taking part in in his new function and the way he can scale his offensive manufacturing relying on what’s wanted from him. Brown has additionally improved as a rebounder and his assists are coming throughout the move of how he approaches offense. Enormous developmental soar from him this season.
Oh, and who can neglect this absolute hammer?
#6 Derrick White, additionally an All-Star
There actually can’t be an argument towards it at this level, proper? Derrick White is the last word connector. He does all the pieces and does it at a excessive degree. He ended the sport towards Toronto with 21 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and a couple of blocks.
With such a flexible impression on the sport, I can’t assist however embody White in these takeaways. Each night time, he’s doing one thing new to impress or give the Celtics an edge. In opposition to the Raptors, he stepped up with a giant bucket down the stretch, and as soon as once more, he excelled in his function and took on some further tasks.
#7 Gettin’ nerdy with it: Discovering counters
We’ve regarded on the want for implementing counters in different takeaways over the previous few weeks. Nonetheless, with three major rotation gamers out, the have to be higher organized in how one can assault a protection was clear.
I’ve already highlighted Svi’s function on this motion, however let’s take a look at the entire clip and your entire possession. It begins off with the Celtics going to a “21 reset” motion, which is a guard-guard handoff within the nook adopted by a kickout move to the massive man within the delay. From there, Kornet has choices to make a learn.
Hauser then units a slice display screen for Svi earlier than chopping to obtain the hand-off. Toronto cancels the motion by getting between Hauser and Kornet, so Hauser counters by persevering with his lower and screening for the curling Pritchard.
From there, the ball pops round a bit of in some hand-off actions earlier than getting Svi with the rock on the wing and permitting him to go faux a 3rd hand-off to create the area to drive.
The preliminary motion was alleged to get Hauser the ball after his slice display screen. He possible would have pulled up whereas on the transfer. But, the Celtics remained fluid when the Raptors shut that motion down and saved working to search out the most effective play potential.
#8 Gettin’ nerdy with it half 2: Flattening out the protection
I actually favored Pritchard’s function on this motion. You possibly can see him directing his teammates alongside the baseline because the Celtics regarded to flatten Toronto’s protection because of the taking pictures menace in every nook. With Hauser and Vacation guaranteeing the nook spacing is nice and Queta within the dunker spot providing vertical spacing across the rim, Boston traces up in a 2-3 flat.
From there, Pritchard “ghosts” his again display screen, creating a transparent driving lane for Brown to assault. As he will get into the ache, Jakob Poeltl rotates over to guard the rim however can’t totally commit because of a possible dump-off move for Queta. Brown will get an easy-finger function.
Stable offense doesn’t all the time need to be a jigsaw puzzle with numerous items to suit into particular actions. Typically, it’s simpler to generate strong spacing and put the ball in the most effective participant’s arms.
#9 Hustlin’
Coming into this recreation, you knew the Celtics would wish to win the hustle battles. Down three starters towards a Raptors workforce that has good measurement, size, and physicality, Boston must show they wished it extra. That’s precisely what they did.
The Celtics gained the deflections battle 13-11, generated extra display screen assists 13-6, and contested extra photographs 54-43.
It’s these gritty battles that may make a distinction all through a recreation. They’re not going to provide the lead, however they do set a tone. They guarantee everybody stays fired up and that nobody is taking possession off. They lead by instance.
This model of the Celtics is dedicated to successful these little battles as a lot as they’re to getting up their threes or pressuring the rim. They seem to know the necessity for placing in full performances, and most of the time, they’ve succeeded. After all, nobody could be excellent each recreation, however the effort is clearly there — because it was towards the Raptors on Friday.
#10 Some nice early protection
To wrap up as we speak’s takeaways, I wished to share two of my favourite defensive possessions. The primary one showcases some nice switching, ball strain, cross-matching, and passing lane strain, resulting in a late-clock jumper that clanks out.
The second is a possession that ends in a Hauser block and generates a transition alternative for Brown.
I loved each of those possessions and had a be aware written all the way down to share them. Typically, I feel it’s enjoyable to take a look at how the Celtics are working defensively and the impression it could actually have in permitting them to manage their very own destiny on offense. Not a lot evaluation is required on both of those. Boston performed exhausting and received rewarded for it.
A parting message
The Celtics are again in motion on Sunday. They face the San Antonio Spurs on the highway and get their first style of Victor Wembanyama. I’m excited. For any of you who observe the Inexperienced With Envy podcast, Will Weir and Greg Manekis will each be in attendance. If you’re on the recreation, you’ll want to say hello.
For me, although, nicely, this recreation is scheduled for 7 PM Japanese. That’s midnight the place I’m from. Which suggests the Raptors recreation was my final recreation of 2023. That is my final 10 takeaways of 2023.
It’s been a enjoyable yr. I took my first journey to Boston and coated the Lakers/Celtics recreation as media. I took over these takeaways from the ever-inspirational Keith Smith. And I received a canine. Sure, he generally snores once I’m clipping movies (I feel I solved that problem, although – there’s a mute button!), however he’s been an incredible addition to the household and has helped me greater than I might ever clarify.
I’m not going to put in writing out a listing of fine and dangerous that’s gone on. Everybody’s life is stuffed with twists and turns. What I’ll write, although, is a honest thanks. I’ve been with CelticsBlog since October 2019 — my first article was about Enes Kanter (now Enes Freedom.) I’ve all the time felt at dwelling right here.
And I’ve all the time been grateful to Jeff for giving me a platform to put in writing a couple of workforce that I like that will likely be learn by individuals who love the workforce, too. And to Invoice Sy and Keith Smith for his or her unimaginable help. Nice, nice guys. And an incredible workforce of writers that continues to get higher and higher.
I hope you all have an incredible finish to 2023, and I will likely be again right here on January 1 with some takeaways from the upcoming recreation towards San Antonio.
