#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 enormous 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, meting 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 towards Atlanta within the NBA Cup opener had a decrease FG%, however this time, the Celtics had been capable of transfer previous an off-night to complete the job with a 2-1 file in match 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 ultimate 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 affect, 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 towards Washington, connecting on three of his 4 makes an attempt.
#3- Washington’s veterans stored it fascinating
It’s a younger man’s sport 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 sport towards the Celtics since being traded, Malcolm Brogdon had a robust outing towards his former staff, connecting on 7/13 shot makes an attempt for 18 factors to go together with 10 boards. He was aggressive attending to the cup and difficult on the glass, displaying 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 sport. The Wizards, eleventh in transition scoring with the fourth quickest tempo within the league, posed a superb problem for Boston. The outcomes principally favored Washington.
The Wizards had been significantly efficient off misses, scoring 41 factors off missed shot makes an attempt. One of many worst examples got here simply earlier than the tip 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 court docket, unaware of Corey Kispert sprinting down the ground.
Oddly sufficient, the Wizards weren’t capable of make the most of their six steals, scoring simply 4 factors off these turnovers.
#5- Pritchard and Hauser’s continued success towards the Wizards
Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard actually like enjoying Washington. Final yr, 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 towards 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. Getting 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 guide 29-27.
Hauser continued to make an affect 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 on the subject of this explicit matchup, it’s onerous to guess towards a productive capturing evening from both of Boston’s main 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 huge man within the closing minutes.
Queta’s free throw capturing was a vivid 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 had 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 offer Boston life early within the first quarter.
He got here out with the starters within the second half, instantly making his affect 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 sport will do little to suppress these worries.
Opponents shoot 62% within 6 ft towards Boston this season, and within the restricted space yesterday, the Wizards shot 65% (19/29).
It’s doubtless not one thing we’ll see important enchancment on till Kristaps Porzingis returns, however for a Wizards staff that’s not significantly nice close to the rim to have that form of success simply provides additional concern to a uncommon weak spot for a title contender.
#8- Mazzulla efficiently manipulated the atmosphere
Joe Mazzulla didn’t conceal his frustration all through a slog of a sport that noticed his staff shoot 42% from the sphere and go all the way down to the wire towards a lowly Wizards staff. It offered him an ideal alternative to mild a fireplace underneath the blokes, significantly with an emotionally displeased show within the third quarter that drew a technical foul with underneath 5 minutes to play.
“I assumed it was what the atmosphere wanted on the time,” he mentioned.
The staff responded, happening a 12-4 run after he obtained the tech. It seems Jaylen Brown isn’t the one Celtic able to shifting the vitality.
#9- Holding the turnover rely low
The Celtics have been unbelievable 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 staff did nicely in avoiding live-ball giveaways, with simply 12 whole turnovers on the evening. That’s proper on their typical 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 pictures 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 eventualities
The NBA Cup introduced a singular near a sport that was wrapped up in Boston’s favor within the ultimate 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 look at, however it could find yourself a deciding issue relying on how issues shake out in Group C.
The play by no means absolutely materialized after a Kuzma foul despatched Jrue Vacation to the road, however turning the sport right into a 12-point win offers the Celtics a 2-1 file and a +14 level differential heading into their ultimate group stage matchup versus Chicago on Nov. 29.
