#1- The Jays shook off sluggish capturing nights to seal the deal
Neither Jaylen Brown nor Jayson Tatum might generate a lot by way of scoring energy within the first half, capturing a mixed 7/24 getting into the break. Regardless of that poor capturing, the Celtics solely trailed by two, giving the Jays ample time to proper the ship.
It was removed from excellent, however the star pairing was large down the stretch, with Brown scoring seven of his 17 second half factors within the fourth quarter, together with a last-minute dagger within the type of a mid-range rainbow that sailed into the web for a seven-point lead.
Tatum discovered methods to contribute exterior of his scoring on arguably his greatest capturing off-night of the season, shelling out eight dimes and grabbing 9 boards, however the jumper did come round in time for the fourth quarter, with the MVP candidate discovering his contact within the mid-range.
Solely Jayson’s 5/16 capturing evening in opposition to Atlanta within the NBA Cup opener had a decrease FG%, however this time, the Celtics have been capable of transfer previous an off-night to complete the job with a 2-1 document in event play.
#2- Derrick White is a mannequin of consistency within the fourth quarter
Talking of fourth quarter play, not many gamers are as constant within the last 12 minutes as Derrick White.
Additionally struggling a capturing off-night, White entered the fourth quarter having scored only one basket, which got here on the 7:57 mark of the primary quarter. Within the fourth quarter, White made an instantaneous impression, connecting on a extremely contested three from the slot and a baseline floater within the first two minutes.
With 8:35 to play, he discovered house off a Luke Kornet display screen to hit his second 3-pointer of the evening, extending Boston’s result in 5.
That is nothing new for White, who’s averaging 4.8 factors on 51/48/87 splits within the fourth quarter. He completed with eight of his 10 factors within the fourth in opposition to Washington, connecting on three of his 4 makes an attempt.
#3- Washington’s veterans stored it fascinating
It’s a younger man’s recreation over within the nation’s capital this season, but it surely was the veterans of the roster that stored the Celtics on upset alert.
In his first recreation in opposition to the Celtics since being traded, Malcolm Brogdon had a robust outing in opposition to his former workforce, connecting on 7/13 shot makes an attempt for 18 factors to go along with 10 boards. He was aggressive attending to the cup and difficult on the glass, exhibiting that a lot was nonetheless left within the tank regardless of an injury-riddled post-Celtics run.
Productive capturing nights from Kyle Kuzma (21 factors, 10/19 FG) and Jordan Poole (23 factors, 9/19 FG) didn’t assist Boston’s case. Kuzma was scorching within the first half, capturing an ideal 5/6 by halftime earlier than cooling off for the remainder of the evening.
#4- Transition protection was a priority
The Celtics are nineteenth in transition factors allowed this season, permitting 22 per recreation. The Wizards, eleventh in transition scoring with the fourth quickest tempo within the league, posed a great problem for Boston. The outcomes principally favored Washington.
The Wizards have been notably efficient off misses, scoring 41 factors off missed shot makes an attempt. One of many worst examples got here simply earlier than the top of the primary half, when the Wizards pushed the tempo off a missed Tatum three that noticed him jog again together with his head turned towards the opposite aspect of the courtroom, unaware of Corey Kispert sprinting down the ground.
Oddly sufficient, the Wizards weren’t capable of benefit from their six steals, scoring simply 4 factors off these turnovers.
#5- Pritchard and Hauser’s continued success in opposition to the Wizards
Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard actually like taking part in Washington. Final 12 months, each achieved profession highs in scoring, first with Hauser dropping 30 factors on 10 threes and later Pritchard with a 38-point explosion to shut out the season. In eight profession video games in opposition to the Wiz, Hauser has knocked down 44% of his triples, whereas Pritchard entered the evening with 45/42/89 splits in 14 video games.
The development continued on this most up-to-date matchup. Coming into the sport collectively on the 4:47 mark of the primary quarter, Hauser knocked down a pair of triples, Pritchard added six factors and the Celtics closed the quarter outscoring the Wizards 18-12 to steer 29-27.
Hauser continued to make an impression offensively within the second half, scoring 5 third quarter factors, together with a quick break catch-and-shoot three that got here on the heels of an emphatic Xavier Tillman block.
It’s a nightmare for the Wizards to cope with, however with regards to this specific matchup, it’s onerous to wager in opposition to a productive capturing evening from both of Boston’s major bench choices.
#6- Kornet’s minutes high Queta’s
Neemias Queta might have gotten the beginning on Friday evening, but it surely was Luke Kornet who was the relied-upon large man within the closing minutes.
Queta’s free throw capturing was a shiny spot, but it surely was an in any other case tough evening, ending simply 1/3 from the sphere for seven factors and two rebounds in 18 minutes. The Celtics have been a -10 with Queta on the ground.
Kornet, in the meantime, was a productive presence in his 23 minutes. Ending a +15 in his minutes, Kornet joined Pritchard and Hauser as the primary bench gamers inserted into the rotation, instantly breaking a close to 5 minute drought to present Boston life early within the first quarter.
He got here out with the starters within the second half, instantly making his impression felt with a shot block and a dunker spot dish to Brown that generated a visit to the road.
#7- Paint protection struggles proceed
Boston’s protection on the rim has been a scorching subject these days, and Friday’s recreation will do little to suppress these worries.
Opponents shoot 62% within 6 toes in opposition to Boston this season, and within the restricted space yesterday, the Wizards shot 65% (19/29).
It’s doubtless not one thing we’ll see vital enchancment on till Kristaps Porzingis returns, however for a Wizards workforce that’s not notably nice close to the rim to have that type of success simply provides additional concern to a uncommon weak spot for a title contender.
#8- Mazzulla efficiently manipulated the setting
Joe Mazzulla didn’t disguise his frustration all through a slog of a recreation that noticed his workforce shoot 42% from the sphere and go all the way down to the wire in opposition to a lowly Wizards workforce. It supplied him an ideal alternative to mild a fireplace below the fellows, notably with an emotionally displeased show within the third quarter that drew a technical foul with below 5 minutes to play.
“I assumed it was what the setting wanted on the time,” he stated.
The workforce responded, occurring a 12-4 run after he obtained the tech. It seems Jaylen Brown isn’t the one Celtic able to shifting the power.
#9- Preserving the turnover rely low
The Celtics have been improbable at avoiding turnovers to date this season. Mixed with unselfish play and ball motion that forces groups into rotation, it’s a key ingredient to their offense’s success.
Regardless of an off capturing evening from lots of their rotation gamers, the workforce did properly in avoiding live-ball giveaways, with simply 12 whole turnovers on the evening. That’s proper on their regular quantity all through the season, averaging simply 12.1 TOVs, second solely to OKC’s 11.8.
Contemplating Washington was itching to get out on the quick break, Boston’s offense was capable of transfer the ball round, generate photographs and keep away from too many errors that would have result in simple finishes down on the opposite finish.
#10- Late scoring performs a component in NBA Cup situations
The NBA Cup offered a singular near a recreation that was wrapped up in Boston’s favor within the last 30 seconds.
After getting a cease on a Kuzma layup try with a 10-point lead, the Celtics opted to name timeout….with six seconds left on the clock. Drawing up a play with the sport in-hand feels unusual to observe, however it might find yourself a deciding issue relying on how issues shake out in Group C.
The play by no means totally materialized after a Kuzma foul despatched Jrue Vacation to the road, however turning the sport right into a 12-point win provides the Celtics a 2-1 document and a +14 level differential heading into their last group stage matchup versus Chicago on Nov. 29.
