#1 – Jaylen Brown passing on show
As we’ve seen in earlier video games, Jaylen Brown’s passing and post-up quantity have elevated this yr. To attain the Boston Celtics’ first basket, we noticed an excellent instance of this. Brown used his power and deal with to power his solution to the rim, appeal to defensive consideration within the paint, and ship a gorgeous go to Porzingis, who was vast open past the three-point line.
A couple of minutes later, the Finals MVP offered one other instance of his improved passing and dealing with. With a stay dribble skip go from his proper hand to the nook, Brown confirmed that he’s taken a major step towards changing into a playmaker.
We even witnessed a slick behind-the-back help to Jrue Vacation for a three-pointer. Whereas Brown’s passing numbers point out there’s nonetheless room for development, Celtics followers can take delight in seeing him regularly add new weapons to his ability set.
#2 – Defending Payton Pritchard…
The Celtics know rather a lot about searching mismatches. Nonetheless, with Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser out, Payton Pritchard has needed to play extra minutes than standard. Groups have began concentrating on Pritchard, as he’s the smallest participant on the Celtics’ roster. However this technique is more durable to execute than groups may suppose.
First, Pritchard is a tricky defensive participant. Jrue Vacation as soon as stated Pritchard was the hardest man to assault throughout Celtics coaching. His toughness, sturdy legs, and low middle of gravity make him more durable to take advantage of. Nonetheless, the Celtics nonetheless intention to guard him, using some delicate defensive performs to make sure he isn’t focused.
For instance, the Celtics switched off-ball to forestall the Detroit Pistons from isolating him within the publish. Normally, the Celtics change off-ball to maintain the roamer (typically Porzingis or Queta) as near the rim as doable. On this case, the method was reversed, however the objective remained the identical: defend the rim and guarantee no person will get hunted.
Typically, the Celtics can’t change Pritchard away. When this occurs, they crowd the paint to shut driving lanes, making it almost unattainable to assault him successfully.
#3 – …so he can ship on offense
The Celtics are prepared to guard Pritchard in any respect prices due to what he brings on offense. He delivered one other wonderful efficiency, taking pictures over 60% true taking pictures on 20 makes an attempt, together with 10 assists.
As standard, his presence on the ground correlated with a powerful offensive efficiency by the workforce. With him on the court docket final evening, the Celtics posted a 134 offensive ranking. During the last two seasons, the workforce’s offensive ranking has improved by +6 factors per 100 possessions when he’s on the ground (per Cleansing the Glass).
A spotlight of his sport final evening was his playmaking. Whereas a few of his assists had been easy, he additionally made spectacular reads, resembling an alley-oop to Kornet or the go talked about above that gave Walsh an open shot. His measurement will at all times restrict sure passing angles, however his pace and improved court docket imaginative and prescient recommend his contributions may very well be much more worthwhile sooner or later.
#4 – Second-quarter run
From 37-33 to 59-42, the Celtics created a niche within the second quarter to make sure they may relaxation their starters early. After a stretch of powerful video games in a brief interval, the Celtics capitalized on the chance to preserve vitality. How did they do it? By sticking to their standard sport plan.
Utilizing staggered screens to power mismatches and create gaps, the Celtics generated optimum scoring alternatives. With stacked screens set by Pritchard and Porzingis whereas Brown dealt with the ball, the Pistons had been trapped. They couldn’t assist from the baseline, as Derrick White and Jrue Vacation had been stationed within the corners, forcing Detroit to change.
This resulted in three simultaneous mismatches: Brown towards Cade Cunningham, Porzingis overpowering Tobias Harris within the publish, and Isaiah Stewart struggling to defend Pritchard on the perimeter. The Celtics may then decide their most popular choice and rating with ease.
#5 – Transition protection is again?
Final evening was a masterclass in transition protection—arguably among the best performances throughout the NBA this season. The Celtics not solely restricted the Pistons’ transition quantity but in addition destroyed their transition effectivity.
They held their opponents to only 50 factors per 100 possessions in transition, a formidable feat showcasing the workforce’s focus, teamwork, and hustle. Joe Mazzulla should be thrilled with this show.
#6 – Kristaps Porzingis’ gravity and passing are killing defenses
Within the fashionable NBA, gamers create spacing in numerous methods, and Porzingis’ method is exclusive. One in all his underrated expertise is passing. Along with his measurement, he can function as a hub and ship passes over defenders with precision.
On the play above, Brown didn’t want the ball in his fingers to be a risk. He reduce to the rim round Porzingis, who timed the go completely, producing three simple factors from a easy sequence. One other instance concerned Luke receiving the ball from Porzingis, reducing, and kicking out to the nook—a testomony to Porzingis’ capacity to see the ground and facilitate.
Whereas his passing quantity may enhance, the Celtics may have the ability to develop this side of his sport, unlocking one other instrument to break down defenses.
#7 – No new highlights within the Derrick White vs. Cade Cunningham duel
As Mark Aboyoun famous on CelticsBlog, the continuing duel between Cade Cunningham and Derrick White has been fascinating. In earlier video games, Cunningham posterized White, who responded with emphatic blocks.
Nonetheless, final evening’s encounter was comparatively quiet, with solely this post-up second standing out. With the Celtics dominating early, followers must anticipate the following matchup to see this rivalry reignite.
#8 – Boston’s unselfishness
After the sport, John-Blair “J.B.” Bickerstaff praised the Celtics, calling them probably the most unselfish groups he’s seen.
Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff stated the Celtics are probably the most unselfish groups he’s seen:
“All people goes out they usually repeat what their stars do. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, these guys may shoot the ball each time they needed to. However they sacrifice themselves to make the… pic.twitter.com/BkUJOVAA89
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) December 12, 2024
Final evening, 73% of Boston’s subject objectives had been assisted. Whereas the Celtics lead the league in isolation quantity, their ball motion stays elite. With each participant logging over 10 minutes recording an help, this sport highlighted the workforce’s collective playmaking capacity.
#9 – Three-point protection
The Pistons’ three-point effectivity dropped dramatically from 36% to 18% towards the Celtics. After two video games taking pictures over 50% from deep (towards Boston and New York), Detroit was stifled by Boston’s improved rotations and defensive changes.
Whereas early-season noise questioned the Celtics’ defensive capabilities, final evening they showcased flashes of the elite protection that outlined them final yr.
#10 – Drew Peterson on the rise
One rising storyline is the rise of Drew Peterson. Final evening, he logged almost 20 minutes, incomes Joe Mazzulla’s confidence and outpacing Jordan Walsh and Queta in enjoying time.
Although his sport can really feel disjointed as he overthinks performs, Peterson demonstrated promising flashes of playmaking. His mixture of size and deal with makes him a possible connector.
His scoring stays a query mark. Whereas he confirmed good contact throughout his NCAA profession, his effectivity is proscribed (54% true taking pictures). Can he become an elite shooter and connector? Time will inform, however the potential is thrilling.
