#1 – Rim frequency
Towards the New Orleans Pelicans, the Boston Celtics had their highest quantity of rim makes an attempt of the season. With 37% on their makes an attempt inside 4 toes from the basket, the Celtics had extra makes an attempt within the paint (47) than from the three-point line (44).
The Celtics have struggled within the fourth quarter currently, and one of many causes is how a lot they depend on soar pictures. Final night time, they used rim stress to recover from the fourth-quarter hump and generate simple pictures on the rim. They went again to their traditional empty-side motion to stretch the protection.
To generate house on the rim, additionally they used Kristaps Porzingis’ post-up. They used the massive man to stretch Yves Missi removed from the rim so Jayson Tatum might reduce into the open house.
Within the final quarter, the Celtics solely took 5 makes an attempt from three, whereas taking 13 pictures on the rim and 11 free throws. It was fairly uncommon for the Celtics to stay so near the rim—however when their pictures aren’t falling, they have been capable of finding one other technique to get the W.
#2 – Offensive rebounds
The story of the final sport was rebounding—or somewhat the dearth of it. Effectively, the Celtics turned it round final night time in opposition to the Pelicans. Joe Mazzulla’s males dominated the glass. That they had their 4th-best offensive rebounding sport of the season and their 2nd-best defensive rebounding sport.
One-third of the offensive rebounds got here from Kristaps Porzingis, which could be very encouraging. Certainly, the Celtics have normally been higher on the offensive rebound with the Latvian on the bench. On this final sport, the Celtics generated the equal of 33 factors per 100 misses. In such a detailed sport, it’s undoubtedly a sport changer for Boston.
#3 – The way to assault the drop protection
One of many methods to attacking drop protection is the pick-and-pop, and Boston has the right software for that with Porzingis. The large man’s catch-and-shoots are the final word punishment for drop protection—if the Pelicans wish to preserve Missi near the rim to disrupt the drives, the Celtics ship it to KP, and he drains it from three.
Missi is a rookie however has been probably the greatest rim protectors of the season up to now, so the Celtics needed to get inventive. The Celtics additionally used off-ball screens to pull Missi away from the rim or drive the swap.
To punish the Pelicans’ drop, the Celtics additionally used the Spain pick-and-roll with a second screener behind Missi, who may also shoot from three. Utilizing a second three-point shooter behind the rim protector forces the protection to decide, usually leaving one participant open—right here, Payton Pritchard.
It’s clear that the Celtics are outfitted to beat a drop protection.
#4 – Placing Zion Williamson in rotation
Zion Williamson was an all-time prospect—but, one in all his well-known weaknesses is his off-ball protection. The Celtics’ teaching workers is effectively conscious of that. Subsequently, one of many Celtics’ targets was to drive him to rotate on the rim as a low man.
To take action, they’d put the participant Zion is matching up with on protection within the weak-side nook. This turns Zion into the low-man assistance on the motion. With that, the Celtics have been in a position to put stress on the previous All-NBA participant and check his protection.
Zion isn’t a complete defensive legal responsibility. His on-ball protection and defensive playmaking create turnovers and transition alternatives—but, the Celtics knew he had a weak point and located methods to use it.
#5 – Jaylen Brown playmaking within the second
Jaylen Brown’s passing has all the time been a scorching subject of dialog. When he’s not taking part in alongside Jayson Tatum, there may be extra room for him to point out his playmaking enchancment. Certainly, with Jayson Tatum off the ground, Jaylen Brown’s help numbers improve considerably (from 5 to 10 assists per 100 possessions, in line with pbpstats.com).
Final night time was a fantastic instance of how good Jaylen Brown has change into in comparison with earlier than. On a few performs, from a drive or a pick-and-roll state of affairs, Jaylen Brown was capable of finding Luke Kornet alone on the rim.
With Jaylen Brown’s skill to draw multiple defender, his passing might open extra issues for him and the Celtics on offense. The Celtics’ offense has all the time struggled with Jayson Tatum on the bench—nevertheless, since final season, the Celtics have been in a position to preserve the offense going when their go-to man sat.
It’s nonetheless not so good as with him on the ground, however Jaylen Brown’s passing enchancment helps loads. The examples from final night time confirmed he’s getting nearer to the all-around participant followers need him to be.
#6 – Jayson Tatum isolation expertise
With 6 isolations per sport on 1.16 factors per possession effectivity, Jayson Tatum is one of the best isolation participant within the NBA. Final night time, regardless of a foul capturing night time, Jayson Tatum scored 38 factors.
He dominated one-on-one, making 8 of his 11 makes an attempt on the rim and producing 11 free throws.
Just like the Celtics general, Jayson Tatum confirmed there may be extra to his sport than simply the three-pointer with this efficiency. Within the Celtics’ elite spacing, Jayson Tatum appears to be like unstoppable.
#7 – Slowing down Zion Williamson
The Celtics’ protection has been one other scorching subject of dialog currently, and Zion was a fantastic problem for them. To cease such an offensive drive, the Celtics needed to work collectively. As Zion gravitates across the rim, the Celtics crowded the paint across the former 1st general choose.
The Celtics did a fantastic job of defending the rim, permitting the Pelicans to take solely 20% of their pictures on the rim. On prime of that, Zion Williamson solely made 5 of 15 of his makes an attempt, exhibiting the Celtics did a fantastic job at slowing him down.
#8 – Pelicans searching Horford
The Pelicans aren’t well-known for his or her searching expertise, but final night time, they did a fantastic job attacking Al Horford. When Al Horford was on the courtroom with one other massive man, he was defending Zion Williamson.
Subsequently, the Pelicans would run pick-and-rolls, the place the dearth of mobility and velocity from Al Horford and the opposite massive man created gaps within the protection that Zion might exploit. When Zion was off the courtroom, Al Horford would assist up taking part in protection on Trey Murphy—which was additionally a fantastic problem for the veteran.
Later within the sport, Jayson Tatum switched onto the younger wing, who scored 30 factors, to gradual him down—and it labored fairly effectively.
#9 – Dejounte Murray loves inexperienced
As soon as once more, Dejounte Murray appeared unstoppable in opposition to the Celtics. Since his stretch in Atlanta, Murray has been taking part in very well in opposition to the Celtics, and final night time was no exception.
Offensively, Dejounte Murray has been struggling this season. His effectivity has by no means been this low, with 0.95 factors per shot try. Final night time, his offense was unstoppable. He nearly made a triple-double and hit 6 three-pointers out of 9 makes an attempt.
Over his minutes, the Pelicans had a +7 plus/minus and will have stolen a sport at TD Backyard. This additionally exhibits that the Pelicans are higher than their report suggests—they’re principally slowed down because of accidents.
#10 – Celtics’ opponents are making quite a lot of threes
During the last 10 video games, 7 opponents have made greater than 38% of their threes. Alternatively, the Celtics are struggling past the arc. Whereas the Celtics are in the midst of a capturing hunch, it appears to be like just like the opponents are heating up from three.
Whereas it’s principally variance and dangerous luck, it’s additionally a reminder that Celtics’ opponents usually carry their A-game and are extremely targeted—able to strive their finest to beat the champs.
