1. Bouncing again.
A fast look on the closing rating would let you know the Celtics dominated this sport. Ultimately, that was the case, however they received off to a different gradual begin and labored their means again as soon as once more. The start of the first quarter was actually onerous to look at. Derrick White has turn into synonymous with making the suitable play, so his three turnovers and two fast fouls had been extraordinarily uncharacteristic. Which may be uncommon for Derrick, however with the turnover struggles Boston had towards the Hawks, it was worrisome that they might comply with that up with the same efficiency. The Celtics solely turned the ball over 4 extra instances after that although, they usually discovered success in plenty of other ways.
2. Tatum answered the decision.
This was a kind of nights the place Tatum remembers he’s one of the best participant on the ground. He didn’t simply keep in mind it, he actively reminded the Nets of that truth all sport lengthy.
Because the Celtics sleepwalked by way of the first quarter, Tatum determined to get up.
Jayson scored 11 factors within the closing 2:15 of the quarter, nearly single-handedly slicing the Nets lead from 11 to down to simply 2. Enjoying everything of the primary has turn into the norm for Tatum, and it’s led to plenty of huge scoring outbursts. Most significantly, it permits him to really feel out the sport and work himself right into a rhythm.
As the sport went on, Tatum didn’t decelerate. He delivered as a scorer ending with 36 factors whereas capturing 12/19 (63.2%) from the sector.
His all-around influence was equally spectacular, ending with 9 rebounds and 10 assists. This has nearly turn into common for him at this stage in his profession, however it’s removed from regular. Watching Tatum attain these heights nonetheless feels surreal.
3. Jaylen was proper there with him.
The Celtics haven’t needed to actually too closely on Brown and Tatum to hold the majority of the offense. In earlier years, the workforce usually went so far as they may take them. With the overwhelming expertise of this squad, there’s at all times somebody that may decide up the scoring when wanted. This sport required each of the Jays to get issues going although.
Jaylen scored 13 factors within the 2nd quarter to place the C’s forward by 5 going into the half, a lead that they’d in the end by no means quit. Brown is a extremely efficient 3-level scorer, however a majority of his offense got here instantly on the rim.
Brown can win with any mixture of energy, athleticism and finesse. When he decides it’s time for some bully ball, there’s actually not a lot that may be accomplished to cease it. This has additionally been a giant enhance to Jaylen’s free throw makes an attempt, with him and Tatum each taking 9 apiece.
He was very spectacular on the glass too, flattening 12 rebounds. The Jays combining for 21 boards was a giant purpose the Celtics completed with a considerable lead within the rebound column. Their dedication to impacting the sport in a number of sides is what makes this combo one of many highest within the NBA.
4. Perhaps Scal was proper.
Alright…I can’t go that far, however Pritchard’s success because the sixth man does make you surprise what he’d seem like as a full-time starter. Boston’s stars take plenty of strain off of him, however Payton has developed right into a participant that’s utterly comfy rising his utilization.
His shot food plan has a ton of selection now with extra self-creation and motion capturing alternatives.
Boston additionally appears to be in search of him way more usually to push the tempo and set the desk in transition. He’s not probably the most inventive passer at his place, however he could make sensible selections when enjoying with tempo.
Pritchard has given the Celtics practically flawless bench minutes this season.
5. Brooklyn and the Ewing Concept.
If you happen to’re not acquainted, the Ewing Concept means that the absence of a star participant can really result in extra success for the workforce. This Nets workforce appears like a main instance of how that works.
With the commerce of their star Mikal Bridges, the pecking order grew to become much less inflexible. Cam Thomas stays the workforce’s main scorer, however there’s extra room for everybody to contribute. Schröder and Cam Johnson have elevated their video games with bigger roles. Then there’s quite a lot of position gamers which have the liberty to step up, like Ziaire Williams who scored 23 factors on this sport.
There’s going to be some hierarchy that kinds on the high, however after that it turns into extra unpredictable. This makes it tougher to plan for them, and that has made them a workforce that may’t be taken flippantly. They could not end the season within the playoff hunt, however first 12 months head coach Jordi Fernandez has the Nets enjoying good basketball and compelled Boston to take them critically in each matchups.
6. Protection fuels a giant third quarter.
After a powerful near the half, Boston got here out of the locker room with a extra linked and energized protection. They compelled just a few turnovers and turned their protection into factors on the opposite finish.
They paired nice protection with extra objective on offense, and the sport began to get out of hand rapidly.
The quarter was punctuated by an unbelievable lefty block on the rim from Derrick White.
When the Celtics pair this stage of dedication to the defensive finish with their offensive excellence, there’s only a few groups that may dangle with them. The problem up to now has been enjoying that sort of protection extra constantly, however they’ve proved able to flipping that swap instantly.
7. The bigs on a Horford relaxation evening.
This was an fascinating evening for the Celtics facilities. Queta received the nod because the starter, however he was pulled rapidly after two early fouls. Kornet received the subsequent crack at it, however wasn’t very helpful with Brooklyn opting to assault him on the perimeter. Even with out Horford, Tillman nonetheless wasn’t referred to as on right here to assist out. As a substitute, Mazzulla caught with it and his two facilities discovered their footing as the sport went on.
It’s going to be a problem to maximise these heart minutes with Horford and Porzingis on the bench, however Boston is getting ok manufacturing. The important thing, because the 2nd half would present, is that Kornet and Queta are rather more useful when the remainder of the workforce is clicking. They are often counted on to play their position, however they nonetheless want a little bit of help from the remainder of the workforce. The Jays battling on the glass is a good instance of that.
8. An excessive amount of versatility.
Within the means of burying the Nets, Boston’s offensive versatility stood out. A pair of comparable possessions specifically confirmed why it’s so troublesome to actually shut this offense down for a full 48 minutes.
The primary play begins off with Tatum screening for Derrick White. It is a go-to mixture for the Celtics, and it generates excellent outcomes. The Nets determined to get aggressive with their protection right here, sending two to the ball.
This allowed Tatum to slide out into a brief roll, the place he was discovered immediately by DWhite. There may be a lot house to work with right here for JT, however the query for the protection is the place can the assistance come from. You’re most likely not going to go away Brown or Pritchard large open within the nook, which leaves Queta as the one risk. That’s precisely how issues play out, and Tatum units Queta up with the lob.
On the primary possession of the 4th quarter, they discovered themselves in a well-known state of affairs.
This time, Jrue is the screener for Payton. Brooklyn places two on the ball once more, and Pritchard finds Vacation on the roll. The Nets once more have restricted choices to assist right here, however Clowney tries his finest to play the lob and the drive. Jrue is simply too good for that to work although, ending over a contest from either side.
There have been loads of cases on this sport of how Boston needs to function. These two possessions had been nice examples of how onerous it’s to gradual them down. Few groups have the quantity of gamers that may comfortably function each the roll man or the ball handler in these situations.
9. Hauser took the lid off the ring.
It has been a bumpy begin to the 12 months for Sam Hauser. His shot has not fairly been there, and it appears like he’s nonetheless working by way of the again concern that value him just a few video games. This was an important displaying for him although, and hopefully an indication that he’s prepared to interrupt out of this mini-slump.
His first make helped get the Celtics scoring going, however it additionally appeared to convey him confidence. He adopted it up with a troublesome pull-up 3 that ripped by way of the online.
It’s not a lot of a shock at this level, however his protection was good too.
That is the kind of efficiency that Hauser can construct off of to get issues heading in the right direction. I’d be okay with him taking 15 3’s if it meant he may get into an excellent rhythm. His common capturing subsequent to this model of Pritchard could be huge for his or her bench.
10. Let’s go, Celtics!
It’s turn into a little bit of a practice for this workforce to be greeted by a sea of inexperienced wherever they’re. They’ll stroll into an opposing workforce’s enviornment, beat them by 20 and stroll out whereas having a shower with “Let’s go Celtics!” chants. I think about that is particularly irritating for a fan of certainly one of these groups, however I can’t assist however get pleasure from it. The truth that this is able to additionally NEVER occur within the TD Backyard makes it even higher. Celtics followers have been identified to boo their workforce for a poor efficiency, however there’s not an opportunity they’d permit one other fan base to take over their dwelling.
