“On the finish of the day, they didn’t have Kristaps [Porzingis] and Jrue [Holiday] didn’t play,” Donovan Mitchell mentioned after coming again down 22 factors to beat the Celtics on Friday night time.
A win’s a win, for positive. All credit score to the Cavaliers. There’s a motive that Cleveland is ## video games forward of Boston within the Jap Convention and the more than likely #1 seed within the East. Nevertheless, regardless of splitting the season sequence, it’s honest to suppose that Boston may need swept the Cavaliers within the common season. Again in December, a 22-8 fourth quarter run led to a 4-point loss for a Jaylen Brown-less Celtics and to begin the homestand, they dropped one other with out Porzingis and Vacation.
That will all be fan fiction at this level. The playoffs will all bear it out in a number of months, however should you’re in search of hints of what a possible Jap Convention Finals would possibly appear to be, it’s very telling how the Celtics seemed with out Porzingis and Vacation.
Whereas Mazzulla Ball has been largely characterised by the group’s three-point makes an attempt, what is perhaps extra defining is their looking of mismatches. We noticed it to devastating have an effect on in opposition to the Knicks final week with Tatum attacking Karl-Anthony Cities and Brown choosing on Josh Hart.
In opposition to the Cavaliers, the Jays mixed for 83 factors on 61 subject aim makes an attempt. Solely Derrick White received into double figures with 16 factors on 12 pictures. Tatum attacked Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen off the dribble and hit 11-of-20. Brown focused Darius Garland and Max Strus, hitting 7-of-10. That was practically sufficient to beat a top-10 protection.
What might have put them excessive? Porzingis, the last word launch valve.
Whether or not it was on these pick-and-pop kickouts or punishing smalling defenders within the excessive publish, Porzingis averaged practically 20 shot makes an attempt over two video games in opposition to the Cavaliers. Admittedly, KP didn’t precisely gentle up Cleveland this season (37.8% from the sector) and Mazzulla has proven that he’ll go small to counter the Cavaliers’ dimension. However, Porzingis’ distinctive function as a secondary choice inside or out makes him a essential piece come playoff time.
On the defensive facet of the ball, not having Vacation was obviously obvious. Mitchell exploded for 41 factors on 50% capturing with eleven journeys to the free throw line. In three video games prior, Jrue Vacation defended Donovan Mitchell for slightly below 13 minutes and 53 possessions — essentially the most within the league really; Mitchell missed all 5 pictures and didn’t rating a single level. He was efficient in opposition to him within the common season and the playoffs final season, too.
Vacation could also be going by means of a down yr on offense whereas he offers with a shoulder impingement and now mallet finger on his capturing hand, however he’s proven in robust matchups that he’s nonetheless an all-world defender in opposition to the league’s greatest.
Two days later in opposition to the Nuggets, we noticed once more how lacking each veteran starters impacted the Celtics. Boston was in a position to draw back from Denver 110-103 in one other recreation in opposition to a contender in what was extra of a collective effort. 4 starters took 12-15 pictures every Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Neemias Queta had been in a position to hold Nikola Jokic in test.
Mazzulla deadpanned, “we didn’t discuss Jokic within the gameplan. It’s not about him. It’s about controlling all the opposite stuff you may management.” And for Boston, that meant
They’re among the finest groups within the league on cuts. Can you’re taking away their cuts? Can you’re taking away their transition leak outs by not turning it over, by crashing the offensive glass? Can you retain them off the free throw line? Are you able to win the minutes when he’s not on the courtroom?”
And as an alternative of using their killer whale philosophy, the Celtics had been rather more deliberate looking open house with well timed passing.
They racked up 26 assists on 37 made subject objectives — a complete group effort after opening the homestand leaning closely on Tatum and Brown.
To issue Porzingis and Vacation into an already profitable equation is perhaps overkill right here. Queta, as he has all yr, was above common in his minutes and completed a plus-11 in over 16 minutes. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser mixed for 5-of-8 from behind the arc. However once more, there’s nonetheless one thing to glean from the Celtics’ efficiency sans Porzingis and Vacation.
As a lot because the second unit got here by means of, the power of Vacation and Porzingis — on each side of the ball — is their versatility. Queta’s vitality across the rim on offensive rebounds and as a goal within the dunker spot brings one thing completely different to the entrance courtroom, however he isn’t as dependable as a post-up menace or three-point shooter as Porzingis. Few are matchup nightmares like KP. Pritchard and Hauser received scorching, however neither can take defensive stretches on both Jamal Murray or Jokic like Vacation can. There are not any defensive mismatches for the All-Protection First Teamer.
Boston has managed with out each vets all year long. There are numbers that even recommend that the Celtics are higher once they’re not on the ground. However do not get it twisted: come April, Could, and June, they will play key roles when it issues most.
