As traditional, the most recent Celtics vs. Warriors matchup delivered one other traditional. With lingering drama from the Olympics, the blowout final March, and the 2022 Finals, this sport was a must-see. Amid the highlight on Jayson Tatum, Steve Kerr, and Stephen Curry, two surprising gamers stole the present. Two pistoleros, prepared to fireside up and light-weight up the chilly Boston evening.
Our two Common Suspects: Buddy Hield and Sam Hauser. These two are, after NBA’s Keyser Söze Stephen Curry, among the many greatest shooters within the league. With their off-ball motion, limitless vary, and effectivity, they pressure defenses to remain vigilant. Yesterday, these two pistoleros confronted off, and so they went at it. Whereas Buddy Hield might need the higher hand in capturing and motion, Sam Hauser stands out as the higher defender.
Fortunately for us, they typically matched up on the ground and needed to play protection towards each other. It set the stage for an old-school duel, one-on-one… however who dominated the matchup? What did it take to cease them? And the way have been they optimized? Let’s break down the movie, analyze the sport, and discover out who got here out on high on this duel.
1st spherical
Boston has the ball and runs a Sturdy Motion for Sam Hauser. Staggered screens off-ball permit Sam to run and shake his matchup. Buddy Hield finally ends up switching onto Sam, will get caught below the display, and Sam finds himself open… however misses! Buddy Hield sees a chance, runs the ground, receives the ball, and pulls up over Sam Hauser… and makes it!
First punch for the Warriors, who lead 1-0 in our duel, despite the fact that Sam had the higher alternative.
2nd spherical
This time, the Warriors have the ball. Sam Hauser is rigorously defending Buddy Hield. Hield begins on the left wing, slowly strikes into the paint, then sprints to the highest of the important thing utilizing Looney’s down-screen.
Sam will get caught on the display, Kornet drops, and Buddy Hield is open, making the Celtics pay once more—2-0 in favor of the Warrior on this duel.
third spherical
Again on the opposite facet of the court docket, Sam Hauser has an opportunity to shut the hole with Buddy Hield.
To release Sam, the Celtics name a Spain Decide-and-Roll. The ball is in Jayson Tatum’s arms. Kornet units a excessive ball display, whereas Sam Hauser units a again display on Kornet’s matchup, creating confusion.
Kuminga will get caught on the display, and Buddy Hield is compelled to assist on the drive, leaving Sam alone. Sam sprints to the three-point line; Looney is just too gradual to maintain up, and Kuminga is just too distant. Sam is open and makes the shot! The duel rating is now 2-1.
4th spherical
On the very subsequent possession, Buddy Hield is already prepared for revenge. The Celtics anticipate Looney’s display and match up Jayson Tatum on him. Tatum needs to be larger on the ground, in a position to assist Sam comprise Hield’s capturing menace.
The Warriors have interaction a Zoom Motion for Buddy Hield, with an off-ball display and a handoff from Kyle Anderson. Nonetheless, as an alternative of working via the ball after Looney’s display, Buddy receives the ball straight. Sam will get caught on the display, and Tatum isn’t on the display degree. The consequence? Buddy Hield is open and scores once more, 3-1 for Buddy.
fifth spherical
Onto the second quarter for our fifth spherical. This time, we get an on-ball duel. The Warriors’ offense is stagnant, and Buddy has the ball in his arms.
He retreats as much as the half-court line, utilizing a Kyle Anderson display to create house between him and Sam Hauser. Nonetheless, Sam is a strong on-ball defender, whereas Buddy is more practical creating separation off-ball.
Buddy dribbles across the display, pulls up for 3… however Sam is ready to block him from behind with out fouling. Spectacular! The rating now stands at 3-2 for Buddy.
sixth spherical
The ball is with the Celtics, and Sam has an opportunity to tie up in his duel with Buddy. Payton Pritchard has the ball and is matched up with a slower Kyle Anderson. Quick-PP drives and forces Lindy Waters III to depart Sam Hauser open.
Pritchard kicks out to Sam Hauser, who fakes, side-steps, and pulls up from the nook… however it doesn’t go in. Fortunately for the Warriors and Buddy Hield, Sam appears to be having a chilly evening.
seventh spherical
Sam Hauser is on the bench, however the duel goes on as Buddy Hield stays on the court docket. Payton Pritchard steps in because the defender on the Warriors’ shooter.
Buddy is on the court docket with Curry and Inexperienced, making him much more harmful. The Warriors run a post-up play to free their shooter, typically working break up motion from a Draymond Inexperienced post-up to generate cuts and open photographs. Right here, they provide Inexperienced the ball within the publish, and Curry units a flare display for Buddy Hield.
As each Curry and Hield are off-ball threats who transfer consistently, this creates chaos. With White centered on Curry, Pritchard can’t cease Buddy alone, however he navigates the display nicely and contests Hield from behind. Hield misses the three-point shot.
eighth spherical
One other alternative for Buddy Hield to increase his lead over Sam Hauser. Payton Pritchard remains to be doing his greatest to decelerate the Warriors’ pistolero, whereas Sam takes on Anderson.
As soon as once more, the Warriors run off-ball screens with Looney: a chin display for Kuminga, adopted by Looney setting a pindown display for Buddy. Sam steps in to assist, and Pritchard navigates the display. He spins round Looney and closes on Hield… however it doesn’t matter. The pistolero strikes once more, making it 4-2 for Buddy Hield.
ninth spherical
A recent on-ball duel is up! Like earlier, Buddy has the ball in his arms, able to tackle Sam Hauser—at the least, he thinks so.
Buddy tries to cross him as soon as, and once more, however Sam doesn’t chew on the dribble and stays glued to Hield. The shot clock winds down, and Buddy is compelled to take a step-back shot over Sam, who contests it nicely. Nice protection from Sam, who forces a miss from the Bahamian sharpshooter.
tenth spherical
Late within the third, Sam has an opportunity to shut the hole on this pistolero duel. The Celtics run a Delay Spain Decide-and-Roll—delay as a result of Sam comes up barely later than in a traditional Spain Decide-and-Roll. This motion helps counter the blitz on Payton Pritchard, who finds Kornet on the quick roll.
As Kornet will get the ball on the quick roll, Kyle Anderson switches onto him, leaving Sam Hauser open. Sam runs as much as the three-point line and fires from there, taking his time to make the shot. 4-3, and Sam Hauser is getting nearer to Buddy on this duel.
eleventh and remaining spherical
We’re late within the fourth, with the Warriors holding a four-point lead and possession. The Celtics aggressively defend Stephen Curry.
Inexperienced units a display to pressure a swap onto Al Horford. As soon as switched, Curry drives, utilizing his velocity to place Horford behind him. Jayson Tatum steps as much as assist, however he loses focus for a second, leaving Buddy Hield open within the nook.
Hield relocates, will get a wide-open look from three… takes it… and makes it! The Celtics are down seven with 45 seconds left. It’s the dagger from the Bahamian pistolero. The Warriors win the sport, and Buddy wins the duel. The rematch is ready for January, and I can’t wait!
