Final night time, the Celtics confronted the Pistons, and the sport was much more entertaining than you might need anticipated. After a dominant begin, the Celtics watched their lead evaporate and located themselves trailing within the remaining minutes. Listed here are my 10 takeaways from the third recreation of the season:
1. Derrick White vs. Cade Cunningham on the rim
D-White could be one of the best guard at rim safety since Dwyane Wade. Time and time once more, he’s confirmed he can completely time his soar to satisfy and block opponents on the rim. Final night time, he confronted Cade Cunningham a number of occasions. The 6’6” level guard is hard to cease when he will get shut—he’s already posterized Myles Turner this season.
Cade was trying so as to add to his spotlight reel, and D-White was the goal. Nonetheless, White isn’t somebody you may posterize with out penalties. Possibly Cade obtained his Kodak second, however Derrick gave him two in return.
White blocked him from behind within the first quarter, however most significantly, he saved the Celtics with a clutch block within the remaining minute. As soon as once more, the previous Spur delivered when it mattered most. It’s onerous to maintain monitor of how typically Derrick White has come by means of at simply the correct time.
2. Celtics outscore Pistons 18-6 in remaining 4 minutes
The Celtics could have lacked consistency, however when it counted, they executed flawlessly. With the beginning 5 on the courtroom, they switched all the things on protection, closing down the gaps the Pistons have been attempting to use.
Offensively, they ran their normal units. First, a pick-and-roll led to a move to Al Horford on the brief roll, collapsing the Pistons’ protection. Horford kicked it out, White swung the ball, and Vacation delivered from the nook.
Subsequent, an early drive-and-kick from Jaylen Brown opened up one other three-pointer for Jrue Vacation.
Then, they put their belief in Jayson Tatum’s post-up recreation. First, Horford set a down display screen, giving Tatum deep post-up place and he capitalized within the submit and made the Pistons pay, drawing free throws after which hitting the game-winner.
3. 42-point first quarter
Firstly of the sport, the Celtics as soon as once more confirmed their seriousness concerning the common season. Like towards the Knicks, that they had a formidable first quarter the place all the things clicked. They created offense by means of drives and ball motion, making extra threes and assists within the first quarter than within the second.
It’s an awesome signal when the Celtics execute the sport plan proper from the beginning. It will increase the possibility of resting their stars within the fourth quarter. Sadly, they couldn’t maintain that momentum, and the sport was an in depth one. Execution gained’t all the time be good, however it will likely be attention-grabbing to trace this pattern all through the season.
4. Jayson Tatum defends the opposing heart
Is there something Tatum can’t do? Final night time, Horford or Luke Kornet have been tasked with guarding Tobias Harris or Ron Holland, whereas Tatum defended the opposing heart. This gave the Celtics’ protection extra flexibility and compelled the Pistons to regulate their scheme early within the recreation.
If the Pistons needed to focus on Horford or Kornet, that they had to make use of Harris as a screener as a substitute of Jalen Duren. This made Duren much less impactful and pushed Harris into isolation.
This defensive wrinkle pressured the Pistons to adapt, one thing that’s difficult for a younger staff with a brand new coach. However, they made the Celtics work onerous with their pace.
5. Pistons discover entry to the Celtics’ rim
Final season, the Celtics have been among the best groups at limiting rim makes an attempt and effectivity. However final night time, the Pistons generated 28 photographs on the rim, changing 21 of them at a 75% clip—properly above what Boston often permits.
How did they do it? Tempo and area.
6. Transition protection points for the Celtics?
All through the sport, the Pistons obtained a shot try on 100% of their steals, which suggests the Celtics’ protection struggled to maintain up with Detroit’s pace after turnovers. Whereas this may appear trivial, transition protection was one in all Boston’s keys to success final season.
Final night time, nonetheless, they have been overwhelmed by the Pistons’ quick breaks, typically permitting open runs to the rim early within the shot clock.
7. Ought to the Celtics abandon drop protection?
Transition protection wasn’t the one challenge. The Pistons, with their expert ball handlers, exploited Boston’s drop protection on pick-and-rolls. This protection works properly with Kristaps Porzingis, given his elite size, however the different Celtics facilities are higher suited to a switch-everything method.
Drop protection opened area for the Pistons to assault with pace or pull up for photographs—each dangerous outcomes for the Celtics. Nonetheless, this could be a method for the teaching employees to “relaxation” the facilities. Switching is bodily demanding, and long-term, they could want to concede a number of factors somewhat than exhaust their large males each recreation.
8. The lineup that opens the second and fourth quarters wants work
Within the first few video games, the Celtics opened the 2nd and 4th quarters with Jrue Vacation, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, and Horford. Final night time, Joe Mazzulla tweaked it by inserting Payton Pritchard and White instead of Jrue and Sam. The objective of this lineup is to let Jaylen Brown create for himself and hunt mismatches.
Nonetheless, this lineup has some flaws. First, the spacing. With Tillman not revered past the three-point line and related ability units between him and Horford, the offense lacks versatility.
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Defensively, it’s additionally problematic. Opposing offenses goal Pritchard, and switching can create mismatches. Drop protection doesn’t go well with Tillman or Horford both. I’m curious to see how this lineup evolves over the season.
9. Al Horford begins sizzling, and the Celtics capitalize
Final season, Horford tried eight or extra three-pointers solely 5 occasions. Final night time, he made 5 of his eight makes an attempt within the first half alone. Sensing his sizzling hand, the teaching employees referred to as a number of performs for him.
Pin-down Motion into an exit-screen:
Put up-up with an exit-screen:
10. Derrick White couldn’t hit a 3, so he attacked the rim
White missed all his three-point makes an attempt final night time and didn’t rating till late within the first half. As a substitute of forcing threes, he attacked the rim within the second half. He used his pace and off-ball motion to use the Pistons’ protection, driving early in possessions when he had the ball.
When he didn’t, he nonetheless discovered methods to be a risk. He lower completely alongside the pick-and-roll and, like within the Finals, tricked the protection by staying within the dunker spot to offer a lethal choice within the inverted pick-and-roll with Brown and Pritchard.
