10 takeaways from the Celtics’ first NBA Cup loss to Hawks

#1 – Even in a loss, Celtics Basketball remains to be stunning

Earlier than diving into the explanations behind the Celtics’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks, let’s acknowledge the fantastic thing about Celtics basketball, even in defeat on a inexperienced courtroom. When the ball strikes nicely and protection creates offense, Celtics basketball is at its greatest. Exhibit A: this quick break late within the first half.

Celtics basketball additionally shines by means of strategic play-calling and good teaching. In a single sideline out-of-bounds play, the Celtics baited the Hawks into pondering the ball would go straight to Jayson Tatum within the put up. Nevertheless, the Celtics set stagger screens for Vacation, who ran towards the ball and acted because the connector between Jaylen Brown on the sideline and Jayson Tatum on the put up. Jayson anticipated this and reduce into an empty paint.

Think about additionally this sequence: Jayson Tatum blocks Larry Nance Jr., igniting a quick break, then Jrue Vacation drives and delivers a no-look move to the nook for Jaylen Brown. Protection resulting in offense—that’s Celtics basketball.

To cap it off, let’s recognize this ball motion and Jayson Tatum’s enchancment as a passer.

#2 – The Celtics struggled to maintain the ball

To date this season, the Celtics have been glorious at defending the ball. Solely as soon as (earlier than final night time) did they lose the ball on greater than 15% of their possessions. That was the second night time of a back-to-back in opposition to Charlotte, they usually acquired a move for it.

Nevertheless, final night time, the turnover price climbed to twenty%. One key disruptor was Dyson Daniels, whose exercise and size gave the Celtics’ offense extra hassle than we’ve seen shortly. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown mixed for 11 turnovers.

Daniels wasn’t the one issue within the turnover situation. The size of Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, and Onyeka Okongwu made all the Celtics offense uncomfortable. One other drawback for the Celtics was that they didn’t have a transparent goal to take advantage of, no seal to hunt.

#3 – No seal looking

With Trae Younger sidelined, many anticipated issues in regards to the Hawks’ offense. Nevertheless, the Celtics’ offense additionally appeared to be impacted by his absence. With out Younger within the recreation, the Celtics had no clear mismatch to take advantage of.

Keaton Wallace, a Hawks two-way participant, took Younger’s place at level guard, and his size and power made him a troublesome matchup. The Hawks have been in a position to swap all the pieces, neutralizing a lot of the Celtics’ ordinary offense. Whereas Jaylen and Jayson may nonetheless assault some Hawks gamers, it wasn’t as fruitful as ordinary.

#4 – Jaylen Brown’s scoring efficiency

The loss and his missed final shot might overshadow this, however make no mistake: Jaylen Brown’s scoring was stellar. He was one of many few Celtics in a position to get to the rim, scoring 5 baskets within the paint. Plus, his potential to attract fouls has improved since final season, making him extra environment friendly and extra harmful.

As at all times, his robust shot-making makes him laborious to protect, and he has additionally improved within the put up. Final season, the Celtics elevated their post-up quantity round Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis. This season, Jaylen is following go well with, contributing extra to the Celtics’ offense by means of the put up.

General, it was an incredible recreation from Jaylen Brown, who appears to be again in kind after lacking a few video games.

#5 – Derrick White’s elite taking pictures night time

Every time Derrick White has a taking pictures night time like this, it’s outstanding. I keep in mind again in 2022 when his taking pictures struggles have been a part of the Celtics’ spacing points in opposition to the Warriors within the Finals.

Final night time, his taking pictures helped preserve the Celtics within the recreation. With Tatum unable to drive to the rim as a lot as he needed, White was at all times well-positioned to supply him a kick-out possibility.

To date this season, White has made 50% of his catch-and-shoot threes on over 5 makes an attempt per recreation. That’s Steph Curry territory. His share will doubtless drop, however his development from being ignored on the perimeter to one of many league’s greatest from three is superb.

#6 – Celtics misplaced regardless of taking pictures 40% from deep

Typically, when the Celtics lose, it’s mentioned they couldn’t sustain with their ordinary three-point share. However that wasn’t the case final night time.

Towards the Hawks, the Celtics made 40% of their threes, with an eFG% of 63%, one of many highest throughout the NBA this season. They have been environment friendly on the rim too, making 82% of their pictures inside 4 ft, they usually drew a whole lot of free throws with a 27% FTRate, nicely above final season’s common.

These numbers recommend the Celtics ought to have dominated offensively, so why was the consequence so common? As famous, turnovers have been a significant drawback. One other situation was rebounding.

#7 – The Celtics have been outrebounded

Joe Mazzulla typically talks about shot margin, aiming to make sure the Celtics have extra shot alternatives than their opponents. Final night time, that wasn’t the case. The Celtics have been dominated on the boards, with the Hawks grabbing rebounds on 45% of their missed pictures. To place it merely, the Hawks acquired second probabilities half the time they missed a shot.

This rebounding disparity created defensive points and restricted the Celtics’ transition alternatives. The Celtics performed 88% of their possessions within the half-court, whereas the Hawks performed solely 75% in half-court units, giving them easier scoring probabilities. Fittingly, the Hawks’ game-winning basket got here off an offensive rebound.

#8 – Hawks massive males dominated

Past rebounding, the Hawks’ massive males dominated general. Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, and Larry Nance Jr. mixed for 22 area objectives on 32 makes an attempt, producing 52 factors and grabbing 17 rebounds.

None of those three are identified for offensive dominance. Capela is not the rim-runner he as soon as was, whereas Okongwu and Nance function extra as short-roll and high-post connectors. However final night time, they attacked smaller gamers and took benefit of Porzingis’s absence.

Larry Nance Jr., particularly, had an surprising taking pictures efficiency harking back to Klay Thompson. The Hawks’ massive males have been efficient resulting from nice teaching and a few success.

#9 – Celtics’ protection couldn’t comprise Dyson Daniels

One other shock was Dyson Daniels. Traded from New Orleans this summer time, the 21-year-old stepped up in a recreation the place the Hawks’ offensive star was lacking. Defensively, he made life laborious for the Celtics’ stars.

His defensive prowess wasn’t a shock, as he’s excelled in creating turnovers and quick breaks since becoming a member of Atlanta. However his offensive contribution was surprising. Alongside Jalen Johnson, the 2 younger gamers tallied 17 assists, serving to generate the Hawks’ offense.

Daniels used his size and velocity to drive in opposition to Al Horford and different defenders. This recreation may present priceless insights into how aggressive, prolonged wings can problem the Celtics’ protection.

#10 – Celtics’ new inexperienced courtroom remains to be terrible, particularly at 6:00 AM

As I reside in Europe, I get up early to look at and write in regards to the recreation earlier than beginning my day. Watching a recreation on a inexperienced courtroom so early isn’t one thing I’d want on anybody.