#1 – Daniel Gafford on Jrue Vacation
Because the season evolves, extra groups appear to comply with the Grizzlies’ method. Again in December, Memphis determined to go away Jrue Vacation open from three to crowd the paint and maintain a rim protector close to the basket. Memphis used Jaren Jackson Jr. as a roamer within the paint, ignoring Jrue within the nook. Final night time, it was Daniel Gafford who adopted an identical technique.
Nonetheless, the Celtics’ method to this defensive protection has developed. In opposition to the Grizzlies, Jrue was used as a stationary shooter within the nook and tried 17 threes that night time. In opposition to Dallas, Joe Mazzulla and his teaching workers adjusted to this tactic. They put the ball in Jrue Vacation’s arms extra steadily.
They utilized him extra as a ball handler, encouraging him to drive, pull up, and work off his teammates’ screens. Utilizing on-ball screens was one of the simplest ways to power a change and pull Daniel Gafford away from Jrue Vacation. For instance, when Gafford switched onto Jayson Tatum, the Mavericks’ protection needed to ship assistance on the ball, leaving one of many Celtics’ gamers open.
With Jrue Vacation extra concerned, the veteran guard was capable of keep engaged within the offense and capitalize on alternatives. Scoring 17 factors on 12 makes an attempt, it’s clear the defensive recreation plan didn’t cease Jrue Vacation from impacting the sport. Nonetheless, this defensive technique had a broader influence—as soon as once more, the Celtics struggled on the rim.
#2 – Rim effectivity points proceed
For the second recreation in a row, the Celtics shot beneath 40% on the rim, removed from their normal 70%. The quantity was additionally low, with solely 20% of their makes an attempt coming inside 4 ft of the basket. With a defender continually roaming the paint and leaving Jrue Vacation or the weak-side nook open, Dallas successfully decreased the Celtics’ rim stress and effectivity.
Celtics opponents appear content material to go away one among Boston’s gamers open past the arc if it forces the crew into contested pictures on the rim or within the mid-range. Contemplating the Celtics’ current capturing struggles, this method is sensible for opposing groups, because it disrupts the offense and will increase the chance of missed threes. Generally, there was as much as three Mavs within the paint:
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Final night time, nevertheless, this defensive technique wasn’t sufficient, because the Celtics managed to create the much-needed hole late within the third quarter.
#3 – Triples to beat the zone
Late within the third quarter, the Dallas Mavericks switched to a 2-3 zone to disrupt driving lanes.
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The Celtics’ bench unit tailored rapidly. By sensible ball motion—working the ball out and in to break down the zone protection—the Celtics have been capable of generate open threes, closing out a dominant 37–27 third quarter and getting into the ultimate 12 minutes with a 20-point benefit.
This zone protection aimed to restrict drives and nook threes, however the Celtics have gotten extra snug capturing from above the break. Because of this, they exploited the gaps within the zone to complete the quarter robust.
#4 – Derrick White’s third-quarter takeover
The third quarter additionally featured Derrick White taking up the sport. Inside eight minutes, White had outscored the whole Mavericks crew within the quarter. His contributions have been important, because the Celtics struggled to start out the second half.
He started by making the most of Kristaps Porziņģis’ gravity, flattening a nook three.
White’s driving recreation was additionally on full show, together with his floater recreation briefly returning. Because the Mavericks packed the paint to guard the rim, his floater grew to become essential. His capability to drive, create house for himself, and loft the ball over the rim protector stored the Celtics’ offense alive.
After a number of quieter video games, Derrick White reminded everybody on ESPN why he’s thought-about one of the best position participant within the NBA.
#5 – Jaylen Brown’s mid-range recreation
This season, Jaylen Brown has confronted robust luck from three, and his rim ending hasn’t been as robust as earlier than. Nonetheless, his mid-range recreation proved useful on this matchup.
With the Mavericks centered on stopping the Celtics from attending to the rim, the mid-range grew to become a viable possibility. Jaylen Brown leaned into this, making an attempt 14 of his 21 pictures from the mid-range. Using floaters, put up strikes, and fadeaways, Brown showcased some old-school scoring.
Nonetheless, his effectivity remained low. Brown completed with a 47% true capturing proportion on excessive utilization. Regardless of this, his driving and scoring gravity drew defensive consideration, opening alternatives for his teammates, and he ended the sport with a team-high six assists.
#6 – 11 assists from the bench
Lately, the Celtics’ bench has struggled to assist the offense as successfully because it did earlier within the season. Final night time, nevertheless, was a reminder of the bench unit’s significance. Horford, Kornet, Pritchard, and Hauser mixed for 11 assists, contributing considerably to the crew’s offensive success.
With ball motion and aggressive rebounding, the bench supplied an power increase the beginning 5 typically lacks. Their deal with creating one of the best shot and profitable possession battles proved to be a game-changer.
#7 – Dallas struggles with out Kyrie
On the opposite facet, the Mavericks’ offense faltered at any time when Kyrie Irving was off the ground. With Irving on the court docket, their offensive ranking was a stellar 123. Nonetheless, within the six minutes he sat, the Mavericks’ offense fell aside, dragging their total offensive ranking right down to 110.
With out Luka Dončić and Dereck Energetic, the Mavericks lack offensive choices throughout the couple of minutes Kyrie is resting. For Dallas to cope with groups like Boston within the playoffs, they’ll must be at full energy.
#8 – Transition offense after rebounds
The Celtics’ urgency on offense was evident final night time. After each rebound, they pushed the ball rapidly towards the Mavericks’ basket. Stay rebounds was straightforward factors by sensible ball motion and early offense.
It’s uncommon to see the Celtics enjoying with this stage of tempo after rebounds—even after made baskets. By initiating offense rapidly, they prevented the Mavericks from organising their protection, overcoming Dallas’ efforts to stifle Boston’s half-court recreation.
#9 – Taking good care of the ball
Within the first half, the Celtics didn’t commit a single turnover. This self-discipline eradicated Dallas’ capability to capitalize in transition and create straightforward scoring alternatives. Lacking their major playmaker and offensive engine, the Mavericks struggled to compensate.
Dallas tried to make up for this deficit with offensive rebounding and fast-break alternatives after misses, however the Celtics’ half-court protection was sharp. The Mavericks managed a dismal 84 offensive ranking in these conditions.
By defending the ball, the Celtics successfully neutralized Dallas’ greatest likelihood to remain aggressive with out Luka Dončić.
#10 – Ballers’ duel: Kyrie and the Jays
Generally, evaluation takes a backseat to sheer enjoyment. Final night time’s offensive performances from Kyrie Irving and the Jays have been a pleasure to observe. I’ve compiled a spotlight reel of their greatest strikes:
