Celtics-Warriors Notebook: Steve Kerr and Steph Curry say Celtics fans shouldn’t worry, new sub-pattern benefits Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown

SAN FRANCISCO — Are the Celtics again?

It’s just one win, and it was in opposition to the shorthanded and struggling Golden State Warriors, nevertheless it was as resounding and much-needed as they arrive.

With the 125-85 thrashing of the Warriors on MLK Day, the Celtics improved to 30-13 on the season, and open up one other four-game Western Convention highway journey with a victory.

The Warriors, in the meantime, had been with out Draymond Inexperienced, Jonathan Kuminga, and Brandin Podziemski, and seemed fairly lifeless from the beginning. Chase Middle was one of many quieter NBA arenas the Celtics have visited in latest weeks, and the Warriors — who shot 34.8% from the sector on the evening — didn’t give the group a lot to cheer for.

Nonetheless, this was a robust two-way efficiency by Boston and an incredible begin to the journey; Joe Mazzulla praised the Celtics’ physicality after the win.

Listed below are 4 on-the-ground observations from the Celtics 40-point win over the Warriors.

Six Celtics rating in double-figures en path to 33 assists

Tatum completed the evening with 22 factors (9-20 FG), 9 rebounds, and seven assists. Kristaps Porzingis continued his sturdy offensive play with 18 factors on 6-13 taking pictures alongside 7 rebounds, and Jaylen Brown posted an environment friendly 17 factors on 8-14 taking pictures.

In whole, six Celtics scored in double-figures, together with Jrue Vacation (10 factors on 4-5 taking pictures), Sam Hauser (11 factors on 4-7 taking pictures), and Payton Pritchard (14 factors on 5-10 taking pictures, 9 assists). That well-balanced assault allowed the Celtics to rack up 33 assists — almost 8 greater than their season common of 25.3.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics profit from a brand new substitution sample

For many of this season, Jayson Tatum has performed all the first quarter, and Jaylen Brown has subbed out on the six-minute mark. Sometimes, when Brown has actually had it going offensively, he’s performed all the first quarter (as he did all of final season).

However, for the previous two video games, Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics teaching employees have combined it up, having Jayson Tatum sub out on the six-minute mark like he did for a lot of final season, after which having him examine again in for Jaylen Brown for the ultimate three minutes. In impact, that has meant that moderately than having one of many Celtics’ All-Stars play 12 first-quarter minutes and the opposite play 6 minutes, every has performed 9 minutes.

Brown has appreciated the rotation change — and he’s voiced on a lot of events that not taking part in all the first quarter made issues harder.

“I’m normally the one which set the tone for the workforce so generally not being on the market, we kinda have a sluggish begin,” Brown stated. “I really feel like at completely different instances at my profession, that’s been me to assist negate that. Totally different 12 months, issues get switched up, and also you simply acquired to be alright with that. I don’t actually complain or something I simply attempt to come out and be one of the best model of myself.”

The Celtics jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, and completed the primary quarter up 29-18, setting an incredible tone for the remainder of the evening. The substitution sample change is way from the one purpose for the strong begin, nevertheless it’ll be attention-grabbing to see if Mazzulla and firm shift towards this new sample on a extra common foundation.

To this point, it’s resulted in two good begins for the Celtics.

Steve Kerr, Steph Curry say Celtics followers shouldn’t fear in regards to the Celtics

Earlier than the sport, Steve Kerr was requested in regards to the technique of attempting to repeat and expressed optimism for the Celtics, who had misplaced 8 of 16 video games getting into Monday.

“The NBA season is such a protracted haul,” Kerr stated. “And, in case you go to the Finals, it’s over 100 video games. And so, in case you go to the Finals and are available again the following 12 months, you’re proper again at base camp, and that’s intimidating. Particularly for the Celtics, they’ve been at it for 7, 8 years, taking part in deep into the postseason.”

Kerr is aware of the problem of attempting to go back-to-back fairly properly; he’s coached the Warriors to 4 championships, they usually had been the final NBA workforce to go back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. Kerr additionally received 4 consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls from 1996 to 1999.

“It’s completely pure for them to have somewhat little bit of an emotional hangover and perhaps not be at their greatest recreation after recreation,” Kerr stated. “I’ve seen that 1,000,000 instances on this league. However, what I might anticipate is, come playoff time, they’ll be able to roll. They’ve nonetheless acquired guys of their primes, well-oiled machine, well-coached, they know who they’re, so I wouldn’t fear in regards to the Celtics if I had been one in every of their followers.”

Joe Mazzulla has repeatedly stated this season that the Celtics aren’t viewing this season as a title protection — moderately, they’re merely attempting to play their greatest basketball.

“Each season, whatever the previous consequence, brings about challenges, alternatives, ups and downs whatever the previous,” Mazzulla stated. “So on the finish of the day, it’s extra about ensuring we’re sticking to the method of attempting to play our greatest basketball as greatest as we will. Holding one another accountable to that, and simply taking regardless of the common season presents to us as a chance to be taught and develop. So, I feel that’s the mindset that we’re in, and that’s form of the place we’re at proper now.”

Steph Curry, who has received 4 championships of his personal, echoed that sentiment postgame.

“It’s a marathon of a season — you do have a championship form of aura about you, and you may form of carry that, however you’re getting everyone’s greatest shot each evening. Groups spent all summer season attempting to determine learn how to beat you since you’re the one which was holding up the trophy. And now, you’re form of held to a championship commonplace figuring out that you just’ve completed it.”

“So there are gonna be lulls all through the season. It form of occurs. However you attempt to get to the playoffs with a superb id, good momentum, good confidence, good well being, and then you definitely simply roll the cube attempting to run it again.”

Curry stated the Celtics’ report speaks for itself.

“I don’t know what individuals anticipated — they’re 30-13. They’re doing alright.”

Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh shine in rubbish time

Baylor Scheierman, Xavier Tillman, Jordan Walsh, and Jaden Springer all acquired some uncommon taking part in time within the last minutes, serving to the Celtics shut out a 40-point win. Jordan Walsh seemed snug in his PT, hitting 2-3 threes.

Baylor Scheierman, in the meantime, hit his first NBA three-pointer, summoning enthusiastic celebrations from their bench. He additionally grabbed three rebounds and hit a pull-up jumper en path to recording a career-high 5 factors.

“You attempt to discover small moments to have these guys spend time with us — to validate the work, to proceed to see what we’re doing right here,” Mazzulla stated. “So, he’s had an incredible perspective.”

The Celtics’ highway journey continues Wednesday vs. the Clippers

The Celtics are off on Tuesday as they journey to Los Angeles, however will likely be again in motion on Wednesday, the place they’ll face the Clippers, who ought to have two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard accessible.

Then, they’ll play the Lakers on Thursday and the Mavericks on Saturday earlier than returning residence for a two-game homestand in opposition to the Rockets and the Bulls.