Final evening’s headlines centered on the Boston Celtics’ 18th banner and their three-point taking pictures competition. General, it was a unbelievable evening to be a Celtics fan. Nevertheless, I couldn’t assist however discover how a lot the Knicks had no solutions for the Celtics’ pick-and-roll assault. They tried numerous coverages, however none of them labored.
Throughout the preseason, we analyzed how the Celtics adjusted to the Denver Nuggets’ blitz defensive protection. Right here once more, we check out the Knicks’ protection and the way the Celtics had counters for all of their methods. Even higher, the Celtics compelled the Knicks to play coverages they’d have quite averted.
Knicks’ switch-everything protection: useless on arrival
With the Knicks including Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges, analysts had been anticipating to see a switch-all strategy. This technique may have successfully neutralized any benefits created by screens. Nevertheless, the Celtics had a special plan.
To beat the switch-everything protection, groups want the display to be set by gamers defended by Hart, Anunoby, or Bridges. The Celtics knew this and did the alternative.
The Celtics ensured that if the ball handler was defended by one of many three wings, they’d set a display with the participant guarded by Jalen Brunson or Karl-Anthony Cities. This negated the Knicks’ wing switchability and compelled Brunson and Cities into tough conditions. In the event that they switched, they turned fast mismatches, which the Celtics’ offense exploited. Because of this, the Knicks needed to modify and use totally different protection for the Celtics’ ball screens.
At the beginning of the sport, the Celtics wished to see the Knicks’ defensive strategy to their ball screens. So, they ran a PnR with Cities because the defender and noticed him drop. Jayson Tatum instantly acknowledged this and pulled up for a 3. On the following possession, the Celtics ran Zoom Motion for Derrick White with each screeners guarded by Cities and Brunson. Brunson stayed on his man, Cities dropped, and White drove into the paint, hitting an ideal floater.
Knicks’ drop protection: Jayson Tatum’s pull-up was unstoppable
As soon as it turned clear the Knicks had been utilizing drop protection, the Celtics had two methods to counter it. First, Jayson Tatum’s pull-up jumper, which was on hearth final evening. It is probably not as constant all season, however when he’s taking pictures like that, drop protection affords Tatum wide-open follow pictures all recreation lengthy.
Second, the Celtics used the pick-and-pop. With Al Horford because the screener, if Cities dropped, Horford would get open seems to be for his catch-and-shoot threes. Because of this the Celtics’ five-shooter lineup is so harmful. Trendy defenses usually depart open shooters above the three-point line to guard the paint, however the Celtics will gladly take these threes.
When Tatum’s pull-up is falling and Horford is hitting from deep, drop protection turns into a much bigger drawback for the Knicks than for the Celtics. To sum up, the Knicks couldn’t change all as a result of their wings weren’t focused, and their drop protection didn’t work as a consequence of Tatum’s jumper. So, what may they do? Carry the blitz, like Denver.
Celtics’ passing dismantles the blitz
Blitz defensive protection might be a wonderful approach to strain common passers or ball handlers, inflicting turnovers and quick breaks. Nevertheless, Jayson Tatum appears to have taken a leap in his playmaking. His passing below strain final evening was extraordinary. Have a look at this quick, exact skip move together with his left hand, threading the Knicks’ protection and discovering the open man simply in time. Attractive.
Joe Mazzulla and his teaching employees additionally designed performs to neutralize the blitz. To beat it, the Celtics created simple passing lanes for Tatum. As an illustration, they positioned good shooters one move away, or they used brief actions.
In brief actions, they concerned a 3rd participant within the Decide & Roll to attach the ball handler (Tatum) and the roll man (Kornet). So, if the protection pressured Tatum and denied the move to the roll man, he may switch the ball to a 3rd choice (Jrue Vacation).
Lastly, the Celtics’ massive males showcased their excessive basketball IQ and glorious passing expertise in short-roll conditions. All of them had been capable of learn the 4-on-3 eventualities and make the precise play.
As soon as once more, this highlights why the Celtics are so efficient. It’s not simply their nice shooters; it’s their sensible gamers who learn the sport and make the precise choices on the proper moments.
