10 takeaways from the Celtics’ collapse against the Cavaliers

#1 – Searching a DPOY candidate

Within the press convention earlier than the sport, Kenny Atkinson mentioned he anticipated Darius Garland to be hunted, because the Celtics are identified for creating mismatches. Nonetheless, the Celtics didn’t hunt Darius Garland. As a substitute, they went after among the best defensive gamers within the NBA, Evan Mobley.

On the primary play, the Celtics pressured a change and created a one-on-one state of affairs for Jaylen Brown in opposition to Evan Mobley. The younger huge man’s size might trouble a drive, however he struggles in the case of contesting pull-up threes.

At first, I believed it was simply random—however the Celtics saved going at Evan Mobley. They knew the Cavaliers would strive their finest to guard the paint vicariously with Jarrett Allen roaming close to the rim. So as an alternative of searching Darius Garland for driving lanes, they hunted Evan Mobley for simpler pull-ups.

After that, they went after Jarrett Allen with Jayson Tatum and uncovered his lack of lateral mobility and pace. Nonetheless, there’s no disgrace in not having the ability to sustain with Jayson Tatum. The All-NBA First Group ahead is a strolling mismatch machine, and never many gamers can cease him one-on-one.

On the finish of the sport, when Jarrett Allen was out, they went again to searching Darius Garland, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to get the win within the clutch.

2 – Jayson and Jaylen dominated

The Celtics duo took 61 of the group’s 89 shot makes an attempt and scored 83 factors. Firstly, the sport plan wasn’t to be that aggressive, however Jaylen and Jayson had been invited to take action by the Cavaliers’ protection.

Because the Cavaliers did an awesome job of limiting switches as a lot as potential and determined to maintain it a one-on-one state of affairs when mismatches occurred, the Jays had no selection however to dominate and take these photographs.

#3 – Empty aspect offense with out JT

One of many Celtics’ largest challenges is protecting the offense flowing with out Jayson Tatum on the ground. To take action, they used empty-side actions with Derrick White and Al Horford within the first half, for instance.

With these actions, the Celtics give themselves a greater likelihood to hunt mismatches or create gaps since strong-side assist isn’t obtainable. Following the screening motion between Derrick White and Al Horford, the Celtics can consider the Cavaliers’ response and regulate accordingly.

Mismatches usually create gravity, and if that occurs, it opens the nook. If nothing develops, they will run a second motion reasonably as a result of they did wait too lengthy to get into the primary empty-side motion.

The offense was functioning properly even with Jayson Tatum off the ground… till the Cavs switched to a zone protection.

#4 – Celtics in opposition to the zone protection

Within the final sport in opposition to the Cavaliers, we already famous within the 10 Takeaways that Cleveland used a zone protection. Again then, Jrue Vacation was usually positioned in the course of the court docket close to the free-throw line to disrupt passing lanes—and it labored properly.

Final evening, the Cavaliers’ zone did a a lot better job of limiting open photographs for the Celtics. Since Jaylen and Jayson had been creating loads from isolation, it was a sensible method to take that offensive possibility away. After I requested Joe Mazzulla about it, he mentioned he knew they might strive the zone (sorry prematurely for my french accent):

The Celtics didn’t overreact to the defensive zone and tried to push the tempo. As Joe Mazzulla says, the offensive sport plan in opposition to a zone is determined by whether or not it follows a make or a miss—as a result of after a miss, the protection doesn’t have time to arrange the zone correctly.

Nonetheless, the Celtics struggled in opposition to the zone final evening, and the absence of Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis didn’t assist. These two gamers can function in the course of the zone and pressure the protection to break down—one thing the Celtics did not do with out them.

#5 – No layups, no drawback?

On the finish of the primary half, the Celtics had tried only one shot on the rim however had been main by 10 factors. Because of a sizzling begin on bounce photographs, Boston scored 74 factors within the first 24 minutes. They made 14 of their 24 three-point makes an attempt, making it practically inconceivable for the Cavaliers to maintain up.

Nonetheless, the three-pointers disappeared within the second half. The Celtics tried solely 13 threes within the final 24 minutes—removed from their 24 triples within the first half. The Cavs introduced extra depth on switches and took up more room with their defensive zone, as talked about earlier.

They attacked the rim extra within the second half, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to compensate for his or her cooling three-point capturing. As mid-range photographs and floaters turned extra contested with the zone protection, the Celtics ended up scoring simply 42 factors within the final 24 minutes.

#6 – Cavaliers’ small ball

For one-third of the fourth quarter, Cleveland performed with out Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley—fairly surprising given how vital they’re to the Cavaliers’ protection. Nonetheless, Kenny Atkinson determined to go small to enhance defensive motion and create higher spacing on offense.

Because the Celtics had been always concentrating on Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers took that possibility away whereas enhancing their spacing. This adjustment got here with a shift in defensive technique, because the Cavs turned to a zone and have become extra aggressive on the ball, even utilizing some double groups.

#7 – Bench minutes

The Cleveland Cavaliers are deep—and this sport was a reminder. With Ty Jerome’s unstoppable offense, Dean Wade’s versatile protection, De’Andre Hunter’s particular person scoring capacity, and Sam Merrill’s capturing, the Cavs can add an awesome set of complementary abilities round their core 4 stars.

Whereas the Cavaliers’ bench helped them keep aggressive early on, the Celtics’ second unit was restricted. Solely Payton Pritchard scored off the bench, whereas Torey Craig and Drew Peterson performed just some seconds. Luke Kornet introduced vitality on the offensive glass and rim safety, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to counter Cleveland’s depth.

#8 – Sam Hauser hunt

Each groups engaged in a searching session final evening. Whereas the Celtics attacked Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers focused Sam Hauser. The sharpshooter couldn’t sustain with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland’s pace. For the reason that Celtics willingly change on nearly each display screen, the Cavaliers merely despatched whoever Hauser was defending into motion.

Nonetheless, I’m wondering why gamers generally change so simply. Within the instance above, there was no actual want to modify—the motion is gradual and much from the three-point line. But, Hauser switches onto Donovan Mitchell and will get attacked once more. Everybody within the constructing knew what was coming, but they saved switching, leaving Hauser on an island.

#9 – Evan Mobley’s offense within the fourth

To start out the fourth quarter, the Cavs constructed their offense round Evan Mobley. They knew the Celtics wouldn’t defend him past the three-point line, so that they drew up a play to get him a clear look from deep.

Additionally they sought good post-up positions to take advantage of his measurement in opposition to Celtics guards. Regardless of being skinny, he can put stress on the rim when posting up a smaller defender. And the Celtics can’t ship an excessive amount of assist—Mobley will discover the open shooter.

With the offense working by way of him, the Cavs took the lead early within the fourth and finally secured the win.

#10 – I would love seven of those, please

That’s it—the Celtics and Cavaliers have performed their 4 regular-season matchups, splitting the sequence 2-2. Now, we wait and hope these two elite groups meet within the Jap Convention Finals.