After two straight losses, the Boston Celtics obtained again on observe on Saturday evening with a 104-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. They gave up 37 factors within the first quarter however held the Pelicans to simply 55 over the course of the subsequent three frames.
Boston’s offense was removed from good, however regardless of the low scoring quantity, there have been a number of issues that ought to deliver hope for progress (particularly late in video games).
That mentioned, let’s have a look at some enjoyable clips.
Photograph by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE through Getty Pictures
1. Brown-Porzingis switch-ups
Derrick White brings the ball up on this play and feeds Jaylen Brown after he comes off a Kristaps Porzingis display screen. Trey Murphy III obtained fully blown up by the decide, giving Brown room to drive and Porzingis time to slide behind Jonas Valanciunas.
That alone is a good play. It places Brown ready to both get a simple floater or discover Porzingis within the paint, relying on what the drop large decides to do.
However what occurs a few possessions later is what makes the duo of Brown and Porzingis so deadly.
The motion is about up in a really related means, however this time, on the other aspect of the ground and with Jrue Vacation because the ball-handler. Nevertheless, Murphy reads it this time as he goes beneath Porzingis’ display screen. However Brown sees it.
As a substitute of accepting the display screen and driving, he pulls again, bringing the ball out to the three-point line. He drives towards the baseline as a substitute of the to the center of the ground, and as soon as Murphy follows him, Porzingis is left open for a 3.
It doesn’t drop, however it is a nice instance of how good Brown has change into at studying and reacting to what defenses are giving him.
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Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports activities
2. White-Porzingis offense
There isn’t a lot evaluation wanted right here. That is the offense that should occur on the finish of video games. No isolations. No dribbling out the clock. Simply let White deal with the ball, have Porzingis (or Jayson Tatum) set a display screen, and watch magic occur.
Porzingis screens off CJ McCollum, forcing Zion Williamson to press up for a second. So, when Porzingis rolls, Murphy tries to stunt and get well, however it leaves Brown an excessive amount of time within the nook.
On this one, Porzingis goes to set a display screen, however White rejects it. This leaves McCollum in no-man’s land, as he was anticipating the decide. He and Herb Jones find yourself double-teaming White on the drive, and by the point he kicks it again out to Porzingis, the Pelicans are in full scramble mode.
Porzingis finally ends up driving into open house and discovering an open Brown beneath the ring.
And to change it up, White doesn’t even all the time have to be the one initiating the play.
Right here, Porzingis posts up Jones on the wing, and White comes over to get the ball. Jones is pressured to stay with Porzingis on the roll, and White will get a one-on-one drive in opposition to McCollum. That’s straightforward cash.
Extra of this. All of this. Crunch time? White and Porzingis.
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Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports activities
3. Third quarter protection
The Celtics’ protection within the third quarter rocked.
New Orleans scored 11 factors. Eleven. They made 4 area objectives. 4.
After Williamson ran throughout them within the first quarter, Boston switched up their recreation plan. On the core of it? Deal with Larry Nance Jr. like Ben Simmons.
These two clips are a continuation of the identical possession, so watch each back-to-back.
Porzingis fully ignores Nance’s existence above the three-point line, permitting the Celtics to stuff the paint. At the same time as McCollum and Nance clear the ground for Williamson, Boston stays laser-focused on the paint.
By the point Williamson will get into his shot for an try, there are three our bodies fully targeted on him. He misses his first shot, will get the board, and will get despatched to the shadow realm by Porzingis.
That is the kind of protection Boston needs to be taking part in always. Particularly as soon as the playoffs roll round. Linked, speaking always, and fully locked in.
