The Boston Celtics have been in Atlanta final evening and made certain to shut the sport as early as attainable so that they’d be in form to vote the subsequent day. Going through a fast-paced workforce with energetic gamers, the Celtics confirmed they will adapt to their opponents.
1. Finest transition sport of the season
Wanting on the Celtics’ double-big lineup towards the high-speed Atlanta Hawks, I used to be frightened the Celtics wouldn’t sustain. But it surely was fairly the other.
After a sluggish begin, the Celtics grew to become extra aggressive, creating turnovers. Per Cleansing the Glass, 20% of the Hawks’ possessions resulted in turnovers. Following these turnovers, the Celtics created many good alternatives, however much more spectacular was their tempo after a rebound.
On common, NBA groups create a transition alternative on 30% of their defensive rebounds. Final evening in Atlanta, the Celtics generated an try on 51% of their defensive rebounds. They pushed the pace button laborious, outpacing one of many quickest groups within the league.
2. Pace to compensate for expertise
When Jayson Tatum was on the bench, the Celtics actually pushed the tempo.
Tatum sat at the beginning of the 2nd quarter, and the Hawks started to present the Celtics a tough time. To regulate, Joe Mazzulla took a timeout and emphasised operating laborious after a cease.
Within the play above, Queta and Pritchard run off-ball, pressuring the Hawks’ protection. Vacation’s fast display on the trailer put the protection on its heels, concurrently Queta, is organising an exit display for Hauser, who minimize to the rim for an open shot because of the spacing and teamwork.
3. Extra pictures on the rim than ordinary
The Celtics exploited the Hawks’ lack of rim safety effectively. To this point this season, they take 28% of their pictures on the rim with 68% effectivity. In opposition to Atlanta, that rose to 33% at a 77% effectivity.
This was essential as a result of the Hawks have been in a position to make life troublesome behind the three-point line. However the Celtics took benefit of the Hawks’ aggressive perimeter protection to assault the rim.
In a 5-out excessive publish offense, the Celtics put the ball within the arms of their weakest shooter to create area. Tillman, a powerful passer, discovered success within the excessive publish. Round him, Tatum, Pritchard, and Hauser, all strong three-point shooters, blended screens. The Hawks centered so laborious on stopping the three that they left the rim uncovered.
4. One play exhibits why the Hawks’ protection has too many weaknesses
The Celtics exploited the Hawks’ defensive weaknesses with pace, transition play, and by difficult their perimeter aggression. The Hawks have too many structural points to maintain up. Trae Younger and Clint Capela are straightforward targets, and even with nice defensive wings, they will’t absolutely compensate.
On the play above, Capela stayed within the paint on the weak facet whereas Younger acquired screened. Zaccharie Risacher stepped up as Queta rolled. Capela tagged the middle, leaving Risacher to contest Vacation’s open three. The Celtics’ spacing, coupled with the Hawks’ defensive liabilities, opened up high quality pictures.
5. Jayson Tatum nonetheless performs like an MVP
Simply one other day on the workplace for Tatum. Within the first half, he relentlessly used his teammates’ screens to focus on Trae Younger on protection, making him work. After 18 minutes, Tatum had scored 26 factors, delivered 4 assists, and was all over the place on the court docket.
His exercise on and off-ball was spectacular. When he had the ball, he drove aggressively, breaking down the protection. Off-ball, he moved consistently, creating alternatives. Whereas followers could bear in mind his stepbacks and dunks, Tatum’s off-ball affect is exclusive and elevates him.
6. Queta brings vitality on offense…
The double-big lineup with Queta and Horford was fascinating. Queta provides extra verticality than Kornet or Tillman, which pairs effectively with Horford, who can spot up and depart most screens to Queta. He generated seven factors along with his screens and created loads of area. His vitality, angles, and offensive rebounding additionally made him a terrific lob risk.
Although restricted by his capturing, he helps the offense with the small issues which have a huge impact.
7. However he’s focused on protection
Whereas constructive on offense, Queta struggled to suit defensively. Maybe taking part in alongside one other huge doesn’t assist.
Assigned to protect one of many Hawks’ wings whereas Horford matched up with Capela, he stayed near the rim. Nonetheless, the Hawks’ fast, vertical wings nonetheless discovered methods to focus on him early, retaining the sport shut… no less than within the first quarter.
8. Payton Pritchard’s sixth Man of the Yr case retains rising
What can we count on from a sixth man? Affect the sport as quickly as they hit the ground. Final evening, Pritchard entered with the Celtics up by 1; 40 seconds later, they have been up by 6, with Pritchard scoring 5 straight factors.
This season, he’s scoring at a 67% true capturing effectivity and infrequently turns the ball over. His effort on protection and +16.3 OnCourt +/- affect present his worth, reinforcing Mike Shearer’s confidence in his 6MOY candidacy.
9. The 4th quarter offense was a tricky watch…
Up by 28 within the fourth quarter, the “Keep Prepared” group struggled offensively. Out of 12 minutes, the Celtics had simply three assisted area targets, dedicated seven turnovers, and went 1/11 from three. It was clear Davidson, Scheieman, and Springer nonetheless have to develop offensively.
However with how dominant the Celtics are, they’ll doubtless get extra probabilities this season.
10. …However the protection was strong
Regardless of offensive struggles, the “Keep Prepared” group performed effectively on protection, dealing with a proficient Hawks bench.
Springer and Walsh led the best way, forcing seven turnovers within the remaining quarter. They’ll look to construct on their defensive efforts and turn out to be more practical within the half-court offense because the season progresses.
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