For the second time this season, the Boston Celtics confronted the Milwaukee Bucks. After an preliminary sport towards the not-so-scary Bucks at house, the Celtics traveled to Wisconsin, house of Sam Hauser’s household. After 48 minutes of basketball and a major comeback, right here’s what we realized.
Two consecutive 16-2 runs to begin video games
For the second time in a row, the Celtics had been overwhelmed badly within the first jiffy of the sport. You may marvel if that is changing into a pattern or just dangerous luck. As common, it’s possible a little bit of each.
The Celtics’ early-game offense was shortsighted, with most photographs being contested threes after only one go. They needed to push an early offense however didn’t create one of the best alternatives. The paint was laborious to penetrate with Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo guarding it, so the Celtics stayed across the perimeter.
This led to 2 issues: poor offense because of dangerous shot choice and elevated transition alternatives for the Bucks. This brings us to the defensive finish—how did the Celtics quit 16 factors in lower than three minutes? As soon as once more, we see an issue with variance.
Whereas the Celtics missed contested threes, the Bucks made theirs. Giannis hit his first three of the season, Taurean Prince was on fireplace, and there wasn’t way more the Celtics may do to cease Milwaukee’s red-hot begin.
Jaylen’s offensive creation
To get the Celtics’ offense on monitor, Jaylen stepped up when wanted. With the paint crowded, his mid-range sport offered much-needed selection. The mid-range is a useful gizmo to counter Lopez’s deep drop protection and ageing legs.
Jaylen additionally used his power to assault mismatches and create chaos. This doesn’t at all times present up as assists within the field rating, however his skill to attract defensive consideration on post-ups and drives opened up area for others.
Whereas the field rating may counsel that the Jays had an off sport, don’t let it idiot you. The Bucks’ defensive liabilities made them susceptible to the Celtics’ mismatch-hunting.
First-half protection: 404 not discovered
Whereas the offense started to click on after a shaky begin, the protection struggled. Within the first half, the Bucks posted a 132 offensive score, largely because of the Celtics’ lackluster protection.
Transition protection has been a problem for the Celtics, as Mike Shearer identified. Shot choice, the double-big lineup, and an aggressive offensive rebounding technique have all contributed to this downside.
The defensive points had been additionally evident within the variety of backdoor cuts the Celtics allowed. This stemmed from a scarcity of focus and communication, permitting simple appears for Milwaukee.
Dame Lillard drew simple fouls in semi-transition, and Giannis had clear one-on-one alternatives with no assist defenders in sight.
Strategic defensive changes to drive Andre Jackson Jr. out
Joe Mazzulla and his teaching employees once more confirmed their prowess. Whereas the Celtics’ offense struggled, they turned to a double-big lineup to bolster rim safety towards Giannis and Lillard.
Neemias Queta was introduced in, assigned to defend Andre Jackson Jr., however with a twist—Queta acted as a paint protector, permitting Jackson Jr. to roam across the three-point line. Jackson was instrumental in disrupting Tatum’s and Jaylen’s creation, so forcing him off the ground because of his restricted offense was essential.
He performed lower than 5 minutes within the second half, main the Bucks to present minutes to AJ Inexperienced—a greater shooter however a defensive legal responsibility.
The “speaking vases” impact
As French analyst Guillaume calls it, “speaking vases” had been at work. The Celtics’ defensive changes compelled Milwaukee to regulate their offense, which in flip weakened the Bucks’ protection, serving to Boston’s offense.
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That is the fantastic thing about basketball: including a second huge man to guard the paint not solely strengthens your protection, however may improve your offense.
Payton Pritchard: elite shooter, creating passer
Payton Pritchard’s taking pictures show was a sight to behold. Within the first half, he scored 17 of the Celtics’ 58 factors. His sizzling hand, mixed with off-ball motion and deep-range taking pictures, saved the Celtics inside attain.
Nonetheless, his sport has limitations, primarily in playmaking. Pritchard can drive and kick to the robust facet however struggles to go over or round defenders because of his measurement.
This restricts his skill to create for others, explaining why he’s not often seen as a main creator.
Nice protection fuels nice offense
From the beginning of the second half, the Celtics reminded us why they’re an elite defensive staff. After permitting a 132 offensive score within the first half, they held the Bucks to only an 83 offensive score within the second.
Improved rotations compelled Milwaukee into tough photographs and turnovers.
Over the ultimate 24 minutes, the Celtics compelled turnovers on 20% of Milwaukee’s possessions—one in each 5! Jrue Vacation’s defensive experience was essential in stifling the Bucks’ offense.
Jayson Tatum’s off-ball affect
Jayson Tatum’s versatility permits him to raise the Celtics’ offense in varied methods. He can drive, pull up, and ship pinpoint passes to open teammates. Nonetheless, his off-ball sport is equally spectacular—he reads defenses properly and is a continuing menace.
As a screener, Tatum has develop into much more efficient with added muscle. He can roll laborious to the basket, play the short-roll or pick-and-pop for open photographs, additional diversifying the Celtics’ offense.
The Celtics have a celebrity, who can defend whomever he wants too, create others, or play off-ball to raised optimize the staff offense. A participant who can stay outdoors of the motion till the protection made a mistake and punish with a 3 factors catch-&-shoot on the wing, and improve the staff lead when it was wanted.
Searching Lillard within the clutch
Within the closing minutes, the Celtics centered on exploiting Lillard’s defensive weaknesses. When he switched onto Tatum or Jaylen, they attacked instantly.
Lillard’s presence boosted Boston’s offensive score to 123, up from their common of 115—possible because of Lillard’s defensive shortcomings.
Successful with out the rim
Sometimes, the Celtics excel at ending across the rim, because of their spacing. Nonetheless, towards Milwaukee, they managed solely 17 rim makes an attempt, changing simply 53% of them. So, how did they handle an efficient offense?
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First, they shot 49 threes at a 39% clip. However simply as crucially, they drew fouls and earned a 28% free-throw charge, compensating for his or her poor rim numbers. The flexibility to generate factors from the road offset the staff’s struggles close to the basket.
As soon as once more, the Celtics confirmed their adaptability—they will discover methods to win, even when their common strengths are neutralized.
