#1 Offensive rebounds, once more
The Atlanta Hawks managed the glass all through their win over the Boston Celtics. They secured 17 offensive rebounds. Some got here through missed communications, others by fortunate bounces, and a few had been created through physicality and hustle. No matter how they occurred, the Celtics should do a greater job of controlling their glass.
28 of the Hawks’ 123 factors got here through 2nd-chance situations. Limiting even half of these would have vastly altered the sport’s stream. Clint Capela is a pressure on the glass. His presence and success will give the teaching workers some extra movie to observe and be taught from. Nonetheless, the Celtics have to tighten up their defensive rebounding rapidly.
#2 Testing out a switching protection
Dejounte Murray discovered some success when searching Kristaps Porzingis and attacking him off the dribble. All through the season, Porzingis has primarily been used as a drop defender. He’s additionally lined the corners at instances and operated as a helper. What he hasn’t completed a lot of is change. So, it is smart that with the primary seed within the financial institution, Joe Mazzulla wished to collect information on how the large man would fare.
It definitely felt like Murray was having his means with Porzingis when getting the change over time. Nevertheless, all through the sport, Porzingis held Murray to 4-of-10 capturing when the pair had been matched up or when the Celtics huge man rotated over to contest his shot.
We’re not going to see a lot of Porzingis working in a change 1-through-5 system — it’s not how the Celtics have constructed their protection this 12 months. Nevertheless, figuring out that the teaching workers are engaged on creating and refining how that might work is a pleasant contact, particularly as there’s not a lot else to play for proper now.
#3 Tatum’s miss to pressure OT
The shot isn’t ultimate. Firing off a transferring three with two defenders in your face is the definition of a Hail Mary. Nevertheless, the Hawks did an important job of defending this motion. They adjusted their pick-up factors, they sat within the passing lane to Jrue Vacation they usually denied the go to Jaylen Brown within the nook.
What different choices did Tatum have apart from to get the shot off? They had been denying the drive, too. Sure, there ought to have probably been a timeout name earlier than it acquired up to now. And sure, there are different methods to assault the protection — with another person dealing with the ball being a main alternative.
Tatum’s shot was a foul one. He was in a troublesome place. The method wants re-evaluating, and that’s on the teaching workers as a lot as it’s on Tatum and the remainder of the roster.
#4 Protection must lock in
Watching this sport, it was clear that the offense was ticking all through the sport. Actions had been working. The Celtics used quite a lot of little pin-in screens after faking extensive pin-downs. Their Horns actions had been working completely. But, on the opposite finish of the ground, Boston’s defensive efforts had been questionable at greatest.
The Hawks regularly discovered gaps to assault. They acquired the mismatches they wished. And so they acquired their photographs off at will. I get that these video games maintain little weight for the Celtics. And I get that everyone is making an attempt to make sure they keep wholesome. Nevertheless, there’s a positive line between taking your foot off the fuel and opening the door for unhealthy habits to develop.
Mazzulla might want to guarantee his group stays targeted sufficient that when the playoffs start, they will slide again into their elite defensive system and produce the trouble stage we’ve change into accustomed to from them.
#5 Thriving in transition
The Celtics generated 27 factors in transition versus the Hawks 2 factors. They pressured the ball on protection, clogged the passing lane, and look to assault at tempo every time they pressured a mistake.
I’m all for producing straightforward offense in transition. I’m additionally down with the Celtics seeking to stand up the courtroom rapidly after an inbounds. Nonetheless, I would favor a extra strong defensive sport plan that shuts down actions within the halfcourt relatively than making an attempt to pressure turnovers at each alternative.
In any case, the Celtics have been a top-two protection this season with out being a group that forces many turnovers. Stick with what’s been working.
Last ideas
I’m late getting to those immediately. I’ve stored it brief for that cause. It isn’t my standard stage of research by any stretch, and I apologize. I shall be again to regular towards the Pelicans. Till then, have an superior day.
