1. Over the course of the NBA common season there are some video games the place you simply want to point out up and handle enterprise. The Boston Celtics did that on Wednesday evening in opposition to the undermanned New Orleans Pelicans. Boston was lacking two starters, however New Orleans was down three starters, together with two of their greatest gamers and their greatest defender.
In contrast to in related conditions the place the Celtics have been embarrassed by the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and pushed exhausting by the San Antonio Spurs, Boston dealt with issues this time. A lot in order that the benches have been emptied with a couple of minutes to go within the fourth quarter.
It received’t stand out as a result of it wasn’t an enormous blowout, nor was it a full-strength, good opponent. However it’s a signal of progress that the Celtics have been capable of cruise to victory in a spot the place that’s been tough for them in latest weeks.
2. Jaylen Brown was the star of this one. With the Celtics scuffling and the Pelicans threatening within the third quarter, Brown held them off. It was a kind of stretches the place he wasn’t going to be denied. However it was extra than simply getting downhill again and again. Brown confirmed off his entire scoring bundle all through the evening.
On this play, Brown used a tough dribble to get Dyson Daniels rocking backwards. That gave Brown all of the house he wanted to drag the three:
This was a robust offensive rebound and putback by Brown:
Following a pleasant strip, Brown pushed the ball up himself earlier than splitting the protection with the spin for the and-1:
Brown went on the rookie Daniels loads. This was a transition post-up for the simple turnaround:
If you’ve acquired it going, you’ll be able to pull from anyplace. Even proper in entrance of the emblem:
Another time in transition…the defender drops off a half-step too far. That’s all of the room Brown wants:
3. Al Horford helped get the Celtics off to a great begin offensively with three early three-pointers. Horford acquired two of them on set performs the place Jayson Tatum set good screens. Tatum being each a prepared screener, and a great one, brings a whole lot of versatility to Boston’s offense.
The Celtics get a bunch of mileage out of this motion. It seems to be like Horford is screening for Tatum, nevertheless it turns into Tatum setting the flare display for Horford to come out to the elbow:
A couple of performs later, it was the identical look from Boston:
4. In additional conventional units, the Celtics know they’re getting a great display from Al Horford. Malcolm Brogdon makes use of this large DHO to get to his pullup:
Subsequent time down the ground, Jayson Tatum takes the pitch and dribbles right into a pullup with Jonas Valanciunas hanging again:
5. Boston didn’t dominate the paint, however they managed issues inside. The Celtics have been outscored 54-44 on factors within the paint, however Boston drew 20 free throws on performs within the paint. (These ought to really matter as factors within the paint.) The fellows in inexperienced recorded 5 blocks. Most impressively, the Celtics outrebounded New Orleans by a 50-33 margin, together with 11-4 on the offensive glass.
6. When Grant Williams does cool stuff off the dribble, you’ll be able to anticipate this house to spotlight it. Right here’s Williams ripping and operating off the boards earlier than ending with the step-through for the floater:
Late within the recreation, Williams completely executed the pretend DHO to get all the best way to the rim for the layup:
7. With Marcus Sensible out, it was as much as Derrick White to run the present once more. White is greater than as much as that job. This was a tough push by White earlier than establishing Grant Williams for the transition three:
Nice persistence right here from White. He sees Al Horford has the smaller defender pinned on his again. White waits for Horford to get to his spot earlier than dropping the dime on him:
White does a pleasant job of seeing the whole flooring when he’s in transition. That allowed him to seek out Tatum for this hammer:
8. Luke Kornet was the third huge with Rob Williams sitting out the primary half of the back-to-back. Presumably, Al Horford will sit out the second evening of the back-to-back, which provides Kornet a shot in any respect actual minutes for 2 video games in a row. He delivered within the first half of the two-game set.
This was a superb go to Jayson Tatum on the back-cut:
On a set to open the second quarter, Tatum repaid his huge man:
With Kornet totally engaged, he steps up and sends this shot from Jose Alvarado the opposite approach:
9. Malcolm Brogdon is settled again into a pleasant rhythm. He had a droop in December, however he’s discovered his contact in January. Brogdon does a very nice job enjoying off Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, particularly when the celebs are doubled.
That is great things from Brogdon, Tatum and Derrick White. Tatum is affected person and waits for the Pelicans to decide to the double-team. White makes a wise paint reduce to pull his defender out of the assistance place. And Brogdon stays rooted to his spot to get the shot:
10. 4 straight wins for the Celtics now. That’s allowed Boston to open up a two-game lead over the Nets earlier than they journey to fulfill them in Brooklyn on the back-to-back on Thursday. That recreation misplaced a little bit luster with Kevin Durant out, however the Nets have greater than sufficient expertise to make it powerful on the Celtics.
That is the primary recreation of a three-game journey, as Boston will head to Charlotte for a mini-series over the vacation weekend. With six of the following seven video games on the street, it was vital for the Celtics to win their final two house video games. They’re now tied for the third-best house document within the NBA.
We’ve hit the purpose of the schedule the place we’re within the canine days main as much as the commerce deadline and All-Star break. Boston can stand up for the large video games, however they’ve acquired to win the “handle enterprise” video games too. Mission achieved on Wednesday to increase the streak.
