#1- The Jays shook off sluggish capturing nights to seal the deal
Neither Jaylen Brown nor Jayson Tatum might generate a lot by way of scoring energy within the first half, capturing a mixed 7/24 getting into the break. Regardless of that poor capturing, the Celtics solely trailed by two, giving the Jays ample time to proper the ship.
It was removed from good, however the star pairing was large down the stretch, with Brown scoring seven of his 17 second half factors within the fourth quarter, together with a last-minute dagger within the type of a mid-range rainbow that sailed into the online for a seven-point lead.
Tatum discovered methods to contribute exterior of his scoring on arguably his greatest capturing off-night of the season, doling out eight dimes and grabbing 9 boards, however the jumper did come round in time for the fourth quarter, with the MVP candidate discovering his contact within the mid-range.
Solely Jayson’s 5/16 capturing evening towards Atlanta within the NBA Cup opener had a decrease FG%, however this time, the Celtics have been in a position to transfer previous an off-night to complete the job with a 2-1 file in event play.
#2- Derrick White is a mannequin of consistency within the fourth quarter
Talking of fourth quarter play, not many gamers are as constant within the closing 12 minutes as Derrick White.
Additionally struggling a capturing off-night, White entered the fourth quarter having scored only one basket, which got here on the 7:57 mark of the primary quarter. Within the fourth quarter, White made an instantaneous affect, connecting on a extremely contested three from the slot and a baseline floater within the first two minutes.
With 8:35 to play, he discovered area off a Luke Kornet display to hit his second 3-pointer of the evening, extending Boston’s result in 5.
That is nothing new for White, who’s averaging 4.8 factors on 51/48/87 splits within the fourth quarter. He completed with eight of his 10 factors within the fourth towards Washington, connecting on three of his 4 makes an attempt.
#3- Washington’s veterans stored it attention-grabbing
It’s a younger man’s sport over within the nation’s capital this season, however it was the veterans of the roster that stored the Celtics on upset alert.
In his first sport towards the Celtics since being traded, Malcolm Brogdon had a powerful outing towards his former crew, connecting on 7/13 shot makes an attempt for 18 factors to go together with 10 boards. He was aggressive attending to the cup and hard on the glass, displaying that a lot was nonetheless left within the tank regardless of an injury-riddled post-Celtics run.
Productive capturing nights from Kyle Kuzma (21 factors, 10/19 FG) and Jordan Poole (23 factors, 9/19 FG) didn’t assist Boston’s case. Kuzma was scorching within the first half, capturing an ideal 5/6 by halftime earlier than cooling off for the remainder of the evening.
#4- Transition protection was a priority
The Celtics are nineteenth in transition factors allowed this season, permitting 22 per sport. The Wizards, eleventh in transition scoring with the fourth quickest tempo within the league, posed an excellent problem for Boston. The outcomes largely favored Washington.
The Wizards have been notably efficient off misses, scoring 41 factors off missed shot makes an attempt. One of many worst examples got here simply earlier than the top of the primary half, when the Wizards pushed the tempo off a missed Tatum three that noticed him jog again together with his head turned towards the opposite aspect of the courtroom, unaware of Corey Kispert sprinting down the ground.
Oddly sufficient, the Wizards weren’t in a position to reap the benefits of their six steals, scoring simply 4 factors off these turnovers.
#5- Pritchard and Hauser’s continued success towards the Wizards
Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard actually like enjoying Washington. Final yr, each achieved profession highs in scoring, first with Hauser dropping 30 factors on 10 threes and later Pritchard with a 38-point explosion to shut out the season. In eight profession video games towards the Wiz, Hauser has knocked down 44% of his triples, whereas Pritchard entered the evening with 45/42/89 splits in 14 video games.
The pattern continued on this most up-to-date matchup. Coming into the sport collectively on the 4:47 mark of the primary quarter, Hauser knocked down a pair of triples, Pritchard added six factors and the Celtics closed the quarter outscoring the Wizards 18-12 to steer 29-27.
Hauser continued to make an affect offensively within the second half, scoring 5 third quarter factors, together with a quick break catch-and-shoot three that got here on the heels of an emphatic Xavier Tillman block.
It’s a nightmare for the Wizards to take care of, however in the case of this specific matchup, it’s onerous to guess towards a productive capturing evening from both of Boston’s major bench choices.
#6- Kornet’s minutes prime Queta’s
Neemias Queta might have gotten the beginning on Friday evening, however it was Luke Kornet who was the relied-upon huge man within the closing minutes.
Queta’s free throw capturing was a brilliant spot, however it was an in any other case tough evening, ending simply 1/3 from the sphere for seven factors and two rebounds in 18 minutes. The Celtics have been a -10 with Queta on the ground.
Kornet, in the meantime, was a productive presence in his 23 minutes. Ending a +15 in his minutes, Kornet joined Pritchard and Hauser as the primary bench gamers inserted into the rotation, instantly breaking a close to 5 minute drought to provide Boston life early within the first quarter.
He got here out with the starters within the second half, instantly making his affect felt with a shot block and a dunker spot dish to Brown that generated a visit to the road.
#7- Paint protection struggles proceed
Boston’s protection on the rim has been a scorching matter recently, and Friday’s sport will do little to suppress these worries.
Opponents shoot 62% within 6 toes towards Boston this season, and within the restricted space yesterday, the Wizards shot 65% (19/29).
It’s possible not one thing we’ll see vital enchancment on till Kristaps Porzingis returns, however for a Wizards crew that’s not notably nice close to the rim to have that sort of success simply provides additional concern to a uncommon weak spot for a title contender.
#8- Mazzulla efficiently manipulated the setting
Joe Mazzulla didn’t conceal his frustration all through a slog of a sport that noticed his crew shoot 42% from the sphere and go right down to the wire towards a lowly Wizards crew. It offered him an ideal alternative to mild a hearth below the blokes, notably with an emotionally displeased show within the third quarter that drew a technical foul with below 5 minutes to play.
“I believed it was what the setting wanted on the time,” he mentioned.
The crew responded, occurring a 12-4 run after he acquired the tech. It seems Jaylen Brown isn’t the one Celtic able to shifting the power.
#9- Retaining the turnover depend low
The Celtics have been improbable at avoiding turnovers to this point this season. Mixed with unselfish play and ball motion that forces groups into rotation, it’s a key ingredient to their offense’s success.
Regardless of an off capturing evening from a lot of their rotation gamers, the crew did effectively in avoiding live-ball giveaways, with simply 12 whole turnovers on the evening. That’s proper on their regular quantity all through the season, averaging simply 12.1 TOVs, second solely to OKC’s 11.8.
Contemplating Washington was itching to get out on the quick break, Boston’s offense was in a position to transfer the ball round, generate pictures and keep away from too many errors that might have result in straightforward finishes down on the opposite finish.
#10- Late scoring performs an element in NBA Cup eventualities
The NBA Cup introduced a singular near a sport that was wrapped up in Boston’s favor within the closing 30 seconds.
After getting a cease on a Kuzma layup try with a 10-point lead, the Celtics opted to name timeout….with six seconds left on the clock. Drawing up a play with the sport in-hand feels unusual to observe, however it might find yourself a deciding issue relying on how issues shake out in Group C.
The play by no means totally materialized after a Kuzma foul despatched Jrue Vacation to the road, however turning the sport right into a 12-point win offers the Celtics a 2-1 file and a +14 level differential heading into their closing group stage matchup versus Chicago on Nov. 29.
