10 takeaways from the Celtics’ tactical edge over the Knicks

#1 – Looking KAT

The Celtics normally hunt guards to punish their lack of power and dimension by means of post-ups and isolation. But, yesterday, the primary goal was a 7-foot heart: Karl-Anthony Cities. The previous Timberwolf is essential to the Knicks’ offense and makes them probably the greatest groups within the East, however his defensive weaknesses create numerous issues on the opposite facet of the court docket.

Due to Jayson Tatum’s nice pick-and-roll sport and the Celtics’ sturdy screeners, Boston tortured KAT with a easy however lethal strategy. As Karl-Anthony Cities struggled to navigate screens and alter his physique place in drop protection, the Celtics used two screens to make it unattainable for him to maintain up.

The primary display screen is a ram display screen, forcing Karl-Anthony Cities to begin low and start the possession already behind. Queta was savvy sufficient to trick the Knicks heart, forcing him to get caught on the display screen.

Then comes Queta’s (or Kornet’s) ball display screen whereas KAT is already attempting to catch up. Queta’s fast motion was essential. Within the instance under, he flips the facet of the ball display screen on the final second, making it even tougher for KAT to maintain up.

KAT’s heavy steps and incapacity to orient his hips and step on the right angle make him a simple goal for such a superb offense. Jayson Tatum continues to grasp the pick-and-roll, and Boston has wonderful screeners to optimize his expertise—and exploit opponents’ weaknesses.

#2 – Looking Brunson

Talking of weaknesses, KAT wasn’t the one participant the Celtics might goal defensively. Typically, they even used each KAT and Brunson as targets on the identical motion. Brunson was compelled to defend White as a result of he couldn’t keep in entrance of Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum and was too small to protect Horford or Kornet.

The Celtics additionally used Derrick White as a screener to pressure Brunson into defensive actions. This left the Knicks with two dangerous selections: swap or concede a spot that the Celtics would exploit with poise.

With OG Anunoby out, the Knicks’ protection confronted an unlimited dilemma with KAT and Brunson. Each are important for his or her offense—with out them, there’s no creation and no spacing. But, with them, 40% of their lineup consists of apparent defensive targets.

Former Celtics assistant coach and defensive specialist Tom Thibodeau has numerous work to do if the Knicks need to have an opportunity within the playoffs.

#3 – Boston’s defensive positioning

Whereas the Knicks struggled defensively, the Celtics organized their protection with a transparent aim: limiting entry to the rim. They assigned Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown to Karl-Anthony Cities, whereas Josh Hart was thought of a non-shooter by Al Horford. Kornet roamed within the paint, ignoring Treasured Achiuwa.

Did it work? Properly, the Knicks made solely 41% of their photographs on the rim, removed from their normal 66% effectivity. Sure, OG Anunoby’s absence performed a task, however the Celtics knew easy methods to disrupt their spacing, forcing them into troublesome photographs on the rim or determined jumpers.

#4 – Brunson’s pick-and-roll protection

The Knicks had been compelled to depend on Jalen Brunson’s pick-and-roll risk to pull the Celtics’ facilities outdoors the paint. To counter that, the Celtics solely switched if it was with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, or Derrick White. In any other case, they used drop protection, protecting their bigs as security nets within the paint.

This compelled Brunson to depend on pull-up threes and restricted his capability to drive or cross successfully. But, Jalen Brunson stays probably the greatest gamers on the earth and nonetheless discovered methods to generate offense. Nonetheless, this strategy minimized the affect of his teammates, and Brunson’s scoring alone wasn’t sufficient to maintain up with the Celtics.

#5 – Luke Kornet’s dominance

Days go by, and Luke Kornet’s affect retains rising. Final evening on the Backyard, he was the guardian of the rim, disrupting the Knicks’ layups and dunk makes an attempt. His size, sensible motion, and positioning made him the goalkeeper the Celtics wanted in Kristaps Porzingis’ absence.

However there’s extra. Offensively, as a trailer in transition, he has nice timing on his cuts. His screening capability opens up a lot for the Celtics, and his short-roll sport retains bettering. To not point out his super affect on offensive rebounds.

General, he scored 14 factors on excellent effectivity, grabbed 5 offensive rebounds, and blocked three photographs. In keeping with NBA monitoring stats, he generated 17 factors off his screens. A near-perfect sport for the previous Knick on the Backyard.

#6 – Good shot high quality regardless of non-shooters

Just like the Knicks, the Celtics confronted spacing challenges when Queta and Kornet had been on the ground. But, the teaching employees discovered methods to generate high quality photographs. Within the play under, they began with a double-drag display screen that become a veer display screen by Kornet and a curl to the nook for Pritchard.

By shifting rapidly and attacking open house, the Celtics compelled the Knicks to overthink their protection and collapse for just a few milliseconds—which is deadly towards a group like Boston. Regardless of taking part in with out Porzingis, the Celtics had above-average rim effectivity on excessive quantity and scored 120 factors per 100 half-court possessions. Nice teaching and preparation.

#7 – Derrick White’s versatile affect

Derrick White’s affect may not all the time present up within the field rating, however he was essential for each the Celtics’ offense and protection. With Jrue Vacation out, he was tasked with slowing down Brunson as a lot as doable—with out fouling or getting misplaced within the Knicks’ screens.

He held his personal defensively and contributed offensively as effectively. As talked about earlier, his screening helped pressure Brunson into switches on Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum. When left open on account of Tatum’s gravity, White was in the correct place on the proper time.

By the top of the sport, he had 17 factors and 4 assists on simply 9 shot makes an attempt in 25 minutes. Mister Effectivity.

#8 – Successful the possession battle

The Knicks are recognized for dominating the possession battle with offensive rebounds—however the Celtics got here ready. With double-big lineups and a dedication to extending possessions, they had been prepared.

General, they dedicated solely 11 turnovers and grabbed offensive rebounds on 33% of their misses. The Knicks’ finest shot at maintaining with the Celtics’ effectivity was to restrict possessions, however they couldn’t.

As soon as once more, nice preparation from Joe Mazzulla and his employees.

#9 – A wild third quarter

The third quarter was eventful and will have been disastrous for the Celtics. Initially, Boston led by greater than 10 factors, however the Knicks fought again, reducing the result in 5. Then, Jayson Tatum took over.

As mentioned in #1 and #2, the Celtics spammed the pick-and-roll with Tatum to assault KAT and Brunson. The Knicks’ protection couldn’t sustain. The All-NBA First Teamer scored 19 factors within the third quarter, proving he can carry an offense on his personal.

#10 – Jaylen Brown’s offensive struggles

On the opposite finish of the Jays duo, JB’s offensive struggles proceed. Amongst gamers along with his utilization this season, he ranks among the many least environment friendly, alongside RJ Barrett and Dejounte Murray. Final evening, the ball wasn’t getting in, and he compelled just a few robust mid-range photographs.

That mentioned, he confirmed flashes of sturdy playmaking, notably on Spain pick-and-roll actions, main the group with 5 assists. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how the teaching employees adjusts his sport to assist him discover his rhythm.