On February twenty second, the Lakers discovered a option to disrupt the Denver Nuggets’ offensive circulation round Jokic regardless of their lack of measurement. They did so by limiting his touches within the paint. Since Jokic is probably the most environment friendly participant throughout the two-point space, the additional he receives the ball, the higher. Due to this fact, just like the Lakers, the Celtics put in a whole lot of effort to make it as troublesome as potential for him to get the ball.
For @celticsblog I requested Joe Mazzulla his ideas on JJ Reddick defensive recreation plan for the Lakers in opposition to the Nuggets final week.
He mentioned it was a terrific recreation plan and there’s issues to select of it — but additionally that there is no such thing as a actual solutions to Nikola Jokic.
Full solutions: pic.twitter.com/yqIHsQt0GO
— azmatlanba (@azmatlanba) March 2, 2025
As soon as Jokic had the ball, the Celtics despatched a number of gamers to him, guaranteeing layups had been unattainable and driving lanes had been closed. For the reason that Nuggets surrounded Nikola Jokic with athletic gamers who aren’t dependable shooters, the Celtics wished to verify there have been no drives and no cuts to the rim.
As a substitute, the Celtics had been prepared to surrender threes—even open threes. Towards Boston, the Denver Nuggets tried extra three-pointers than regular (40% three-point frequency in Boston vs. 30% season common). On the opposite finish, the Celtics closed the paint so properly that Denver tried solely 22% of their photographs on the rim (in comparison with 38% on common this season).
Total, the Denver Nuggets had been restricted to 111 factors per 100 possessions, far under their season common of 121. If you wish to dig deeper, Adam Taylor did a full breakdown on the Celtics protection in his newest.
#2 – Al Horford’s defensive masterpiece
To decelerate the Denver Nuggets, the Celtics wanted a defensive anchor to construct their wall round—and that was Al Horford. The veteran was the key ingredient that solidified the protection.
The Celtics executed a wise recreation plan to disrupt Nuggets regular offensive circulation.
For that recreation plan to work, the Celtics wanted a defensive anchor… and it was Al Horford.
I requested Joe Mazzulla about Horford defensive impression for the @celticsblog. Full reply within the video under: https://t.co/ZS0KP8ozuB
— azmatlanba (@azmatlanba) March 2, 2025
When matched up with Jokic, Horford did a terrific job slowing him down and forcing him into powerful positions. Jokic is among the greatest gamers at making troublesome photographs, however Horford discovered a option to defend him properly with out fouling.
Off the ball, Horford was energetic on the again finish of the protection, disrupting passing lanes. Towards Jokic, it’s important to interrupt off-ball motion and restrict his passing choices, as he can discover an open participant from any place.
On high of contesting photographs, grabbing three steals, and creating transition alternatives by means of rebounding, Horford was in a position to swap onto smaller gamers. After all, he received scored on at occasions, however he constantly compelled contested photographs.
#3 – Jaylen Brown searching Jamal Murray
One other recreation, one other defensive goal for the Celtics. This time, the inexperienced military went after Jamal Murray. Whereas Murray isn’t the smallest participant on the court docket, forcing him into defensive actions drains his power, which impacts his offense. Jaylen Brown relentlessly attacked him, creating drives and forcing him to defend on the ball.
Regardless of coping with knee discomfort, Jaylen Brown dominated the matchup, scoring 22 factors and producing 9 free-throw makes an attempt—a powerful mark for him. His improved post-up recreation has been a key asset this season, permitting him to show his again to the basket and overpower defenders in such conditions.
As Brown talked about within the press convention, he was quick on just a few photographs, however total, he put Jamal Murray in a tricky place. Nonetheless, it was additionally noticeable that Denver was prepared to depart Murray on an island quite than ship assist, which immediately impacted the Celtics’ taking pictures steadiness.
#4 – Celtics’ three-point quantity
The Denver Nuggets did a terrific job limiting the Celtics’ three-point makes an attempt. Regardless of lacking Aaron Gordon and being constructed round a non-traditional large man, the Nuggets excel at closing gaps and forcing Boston into extra mid-range photographs than regular.
As Jaylen Brown famous, some groups choose to “keep house” and keep away from bringing an additional defender to assist—even when there’s a mismatch. This typically turns a mismatch right into a post-up or a contested drive quite than an open shot created from a go out of double protection.
As a result of groups aren’t sending additional defenders to cease the Celtics’ greatest scorers, it’s tougher to seek out open three-pointers. This raises an essential query with no definitive reply—what’s the higher technique? Residing with three-pointers or accepting fixed one-on-one punishment? Time will inform what opposing groups are prepared to concede in opposition to the Celtics.
#5 – Luke Kornet as a connector
Nonetheless, the Denver Nuggets sometimes left area open, and Luke Kornet took benefit. Kornet is what we wish to name a connector—a participant who could not create gaps himself however is adept at sustaining offensive circulation as soon as he will get the ball. An awesome instance:
When he acquired the ball on the quick roll, he confronted a four-on-three scenario—created by Jayson Tatum’s gravity within the pick-and-roll. 4 defenders in opposition to three offensive gamers means somebody is open, and a superb connector finds that participant. An awesome connector finds him rapidly and in an excellent place. Within the instance above, the ball moved swiftly to Horford, who was positioned beneath the basket.
Luke Kornet in a 5-slot offense has been fairly enjoyable to observe this yr.
An awesome instance how a participant can assist the offensive circulation in area even when he would not shot threes.
Spacing ≠ Capturing. pic.twitter.com/bicCMkZilV
— azmatlanba (@azmatlanba) March 3, 2025
Within the subsequent instance, Kornet began the motion within the slot—regardless of not being a three-point shooter. Nonetheless, as a result of he is a superb connector, he exploited the hole created by Payton Pritchard, flowing right into a handoff with Hauser. This motion triggered a response from the low man, releasing up Horford beneath the basket as soon as once more. Kornet discovered him instantly.
#6 – Kornet on Westbrook
Nonetheless, Kornet’s impression prolonged past offense. As soon as once more, he was assigned to some extent guard with no taking pictures risk—this time Russell Westbrook—and as soon as once more, the technique labored properly. After all, this strategy is determined by whether or not the ignored participant makes the Celtics pay.
But, the purpose is to reside with variance and shield the paint in any respect prices, as talked about earlier on this article. Kornet’s skill to manage area together with his measurement, size, and positional consciousness is essential to Joe Mazzulla’s artistic defensive schemes. As soon as once more, Mazzulla confirmed he’s extra than simply an offensive mastermind—he can assemble elite defensive methods as properly.
#7 – Transition protection
Talking of protection, it’s essential to notice that Boston’s transition protection was on level regardless of Denver recording 11 steals. The Nuggets managed solely 89 factors per 100 possessions in transition, an impressively low mark given how environment friendly transition offense is meant to be.
All through many of the recreation, the Celtics had been disciplined defensively—properly, virtually the entire recreation.
#8 – Denver’s late third-quarter run
The Celtics as soon as once more flirted with permitting a comeback, mirroring their gradual end to the primary half. This stretch was a terrific instance of how troublesome it’s to defend the Nuggets, the second-best offense within the NBA this season. Within the ultimate minutes of the third quarter, Boston allowed Denver to return to their regular actions that includes Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.
In just some minutes, the Celtics’ lead disappeared, and Denver clawed their manner again earlier than the ultimate quarter. Nonetheless, this time, Boston didn’t let one other comeback occur. They entered the fourth quarter targeted, shutting down Denver’s hopes.
#9 – Decide-and-roll struggles
I’ve been vocal about how a lot the Celtics must depend on Jayson Tatum’s pick-and-rolls to generate offense. Nonetheless, this recreation wasn’t the most effective instance. Tatum misplaced the ball 5 occasions in pick-and-roll conditions. Mike Malone’s recreation plan was to use stress with hedge protection, sending two defenders at Tatum after he used the display screen:
Regardless that he struggled with turnovers and scoring from these actions, he nonetheless created for his teammates. Within the instance under, a staggered ball display screen pulled three defenders onto him, releasing up Derrick White within the nook. As quickly as White was open, Tatum discovered him for a three-pointer.
Even on an off night time, this easy motion remained efficient.
#10 – First win in opposition to Jokic since 2022
Regardless that Joe Mazzulla mentioned he didn’t point out Jokic within the recreation plan, it should really feel good for the workforce and training workers to lastly beat the most effective participant within the league.
