#1 – Rim frequency
In opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Boston Celtics had their highest quantity of rim makes an attempt of the season. With 37% on their makes an attempt inside 4 ft from the basket, the Celtics had extra makes an attempt within the paint (47) than from the three-point line (44).
The Celtics have struggled within the fourth quarter currently, and one of many causes is how a lot they depend on leap pictures. Final evening, they used rim strain to recover from the fourth-quarter hump and generate straightforward pictures on the rim. They went again to their common empty-side motion to stretch the protection.
To generate area on the rim, additionally they used Kristaps Porzingis’ post-up. They used the large man to stretch Yves Missi removed from the rim so Jayson Tatum might minimize into the open area.
Within the final quarter, the Celtics solely took 5 makes an attempt from three, whereas taking 13 pictures on the rim and 11 free throws. It was fairly uncommon for the Celtics to stay so near the rim—however when their pictures aren’t falling, they have been capable of finding one other technique to get the W.
#2 – Offensive rebounds
The story of the final recreation was rebounding—or fairly the dearth of it. Effectively, the Celtics turned it round final evening in opposition to the Pelicans. Joe Mazzulla’s males dominated the glass. That they had their 4th-best offensive rebounding recreation of the season and their 2nd-best defensive rebounding recreation.
One-third of the offensive rebounds got here from Kristaps Porzingis, which could be very encouraging. Certainly, the Celtics have often been higher on the offensive rebound with the Latvian on the bench. On this final recreation, the Celtics generated the equal of 33 factors per 100 misses. In such a detailed recreation, it’s undoubtedly a recreation changer for Boston.
#3 – assault the drop protection
One of many tips to attacking drop protection is the pick-and-pop, and Boston has the right software for that with Porzingis. The large man’s catch-and-shoots are the last word punishment for drop protection—if the Pelicans wish to hold Missi near the rim to disrupt the drives, the Celtics ship it to KP, and he drains it from three.
Missi is a rookie however has been the most effective rim protectors of the season thus far, so the Celtics needed to get artistic. The Celtics additionally used off-ball screens to tug Missi away from the rim or power the change.
To punish the Pelicans’ drop, the Celtics additionally used the Spain pick-and-roll with a second screener behind Missi, who may shoot from three. Utilizing a second three-point shooter behind the rim protector forces the protection to decide, usually leaving one participant open—right here, Payton Pritchard.
It’s clear that the Celtics are geared up to beat a drop protection.
#4 – Placing Zion Williamson in rotation
Zion Williamson was an all-time prospect—but, considered one of his well-known weaknesses is his off-ball protection. The Celtics’ teaching employees is nicely conscious of that. Subsequently, one of many Celtics’ targets was to power him to rotate on the rim as a low man.
To take action, they might put the participant Zion is matching up with on protection within the weak-side nook. This turns Zion into the low-man assistance on the motion. With that, the Celtics have been in a position to put strain on the previous All-NBA participant and take a look at his protection.
Zion isn’t a complete defensive legal responsibility. His on-ball protection and defensive playmaking create turnovers and transition alternatives—but, the Celtics knew he had a weak spot and located methods to use it.
#5 – Jaylen Brown playmaking within the second
Jaylen Brown’s passing has at all times been a sizzling subject of dialog. When he isn’t taking part in alongside Jayson Tatum, there’s extra room for him to point out his playmaking enchancment. Certainly, with Jayson Tatum off the ground, Jaylen Brown’s help numbers improve considerably (from 5 to 10 assists per 100 possessions, in keeping with pbpstats.com).
Final evening was an awesome instance of how good Jaylen Brown has develop into in comparison with earlier than. On a few performs, from a drive or a pick-and-roll state of affairs, Jaylen Brown was capable of finding Luke Kornet alone on the rim.
With Jaylen Brown’s capability to draw multiple defender, his passing might open extra issues for him and the Celtics on offense. The Celtics’ offense has at all times struggled with Jayson Tatum on the bench—nevertheless, since final season, the Celtics have been in a position to hold the offense going when their go-to man sat.
It’s nonetheless inferior to with him on the ground, however Jaylen Brown’s passing enchancment helps so much. The examples from final evening confirmed he’s getting nearer to the all-around participant followers need him to be.
#6 – Jayson Tatum isolation abilities
With 6 isolations per recreation on 1.16 factors per possession effectivity, Jayson Tatum is the most effective isolation participant within the NBA. Final evening, regardless of a foul capturing evening, Jayson Tatum scored 38 factors.
He dominated one-on-one, making 8 of his 11 makes an attempt on the rim and producing 11 free throws.
Just like the Celtics total, Jayson Tatum confirmed there’s extra to his recreation than simply the three-pointer with this efficiency. Within the Celtics’ elite spacing, Jayson Tatum seems to be unstoppable.
#7 – Slowing down Zion Williamson
The Celtics’ protection has been one other sizzling subject of dialog currently, and Zion was an awesome problem for them. To cease such an offensive power, the Celtics needed to work collectively. As Zion gravitates across the rim, the Celtics crowded the paint across the former 1st total decide.
The Celtics did an awesome job of defending the rim, permitting the Pelicans to take solely 20% of their pictures on the rim. On prime of that, Zion Williamson solely made 5 of 15 of his makes an attempt, displaying the Celtics did an awesome job at slowing him down.
#8 – Pelicans looking Horford
The Pelicans aren’t well-known for his or her looking abilities, but final evening, they did an awesome job attacking Al Horford. When Al Horford was on the courtroom with one other massive man, he was defending Zion Williamson.
Subsequently, the Pelicans would run pick-and-rolls, the place the dearth of mobility and pace from Al Horford and the opposite massive man created gaps within the protection that Zion might exploit. When Zion was off the courtroom, Al Horford would assist up taking part in protection on Trey Murphy—which was additionally an awesome problem for the veteran.
Later within the recreation, Jayson Tatum switched onto the younger wing, who scored 30 factors, to gradual him down—and it labored fairly nicely.
#9 – Dejounte Murray loves inexperienced
As soon as once more, Dejounte Murray appeared unstoppable in opposition to the Celtics. Since his stretch in Atlanta, Murray has been taking part in rather well in opposition to the Celtics, and final evening was no exception.
Offensively, Dejounte Murray has been struggling this season. His effectivity has by no means been this low, with 0.95 factors per shot try. Final evening, his offense was unstoppable. He nearly made a triple-double and hit 6 three-pointers out of 9 makes an attempt.
Over his minutes, the Pelicans had a +7 plus/minus and will have stolen a recreation at TD Backyard. This additionally exhibits that the Pelicans are higher than their document suggests—they’re largely slowed down because of accidents.
#10 – Celtics’ opponents are making quite a lot of threes
Over the past 10 video games, 7 opponents have made greater than 38% of their threes. However, the Celtics are struggling past the arc. Whereas the Celtics are in the midst of a capturing stoop, it seems to be just like the opponents are heating up from three.
Whereas it’s largely variance and dangerous luck, it’s additionally a reminder that Celtics’ opponents usually carry their A-game and are extremely centered—able to strive their greatest to beat the champs.
