10 takeaways from the third win towards the Detroit Pistons

#1 – Jaylen Brown passing on show

As we’ve seen in earlier video games, Jaylen Brown’s passing and post-up quantity have elevated this yr. To attain the Boston Celtics’ first basket, we noticed an important instance of this. Brown used his power and deal with to pressure his technique to the rim, entice defensive consideration within the paint, and ship a fantastic go to Porzingis, who was huge open past the three-point line.

A couple of minutes later, the Finals MVP supplied one other instance of his improved passing and dealing with. With a reside dribble skip go from his proper hand to the nook, Brown confirmed that he’s taken a big step towards turning into a playmaker.

We even witnessed a slick behind-the-back help to Jrue Vacation for a three-pointer. Whereas Brown’s passing numbers point out there’s nonetheless room for development, Celtics followers can take pleasure in seeing him regularly add new weapons to his ability set.

#2 – Defending Payton Pritchard…

The Celtics know so much about searching mismatches. Nonetheless, with Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser out, Payton Pritchard has needed to play extra minutes than traditional. Groups have began focusing on Pritchard, as he’s the smallest participant on the Celtics’ roster. However this technique is tougher to execute than groups would possibly assume.

First, Pritchard is a tricky defensive participant. Jrue Vacation as soon as stated Pritchard was the hardest man to assault throughout Celtics coaching. His toughness, robust legs, and low heart of gravity make him tougher to take advantage of. Nonetheless, the Celtics nonetheless intention to guard him, using some delicate defensive performs to make sure he isn’t focused.

For instance, the Celtics switched off-ball to stop the Detroit Pistons from isolating him within the publish. Often, the Celtics swap off-ball to maintain the roamer (typically Porzingis or Queta) as near the rim as attainable. On this case, the strategy was reversed, however the objective remained the identical: shield the rim and guarantee no one will get hunted.

Typically, the Celtics can’t swap Pritchard away. When this occurs, they crowd the paint to shut driving lanes, making it almost unimaginable to assault him successfully.

#3 – …so he can ship on offense

The Celtics are prepared to guard Pritchard in any respect prices due to what he brings on offense. He delivered one other glorious efficiency, capturing over 60% true capturing on 20 makes an attempt, together with 10 assists.

As traditional, his presence on the ground correlated with a robust offensive efficiency by the staff. With him on the courtroom final night time, the Celtics posted a 134 offensive ranking. Over the past two seasons, the staff’s offensive ranking has improved by +6 factors per 100 possessions when he’s on the ground (per Cleansing the Glass).

A spotlight of his recreation final night time was his playmaking. Whereas a few of his assists had been easy, he additionally made spectacular reads, akin to an alley-oop to Kornet or the go talked about above that gave Walsh an open shot. His measurement will at all times restrict sure passing angles, however his pace and improved courtroom imaginative and prescient recommend his contributions might be much more invaluable sooner or later.

#4 – Second-quarter run

From 37-33 to 59-42, the Celtics created a niche within the second quarter to make sure they might relaxation their starters early. After a stretch of powerful video games in a brief interval, the Celtics capitalized on the chance to preserve power. How did they do it? By sticking to their traditional recreation plan.

Utilizing staggered screens to pressure mismatches and create gaps, the Celtics generated optimum scoring alternatives. With stacked screens set by Pritchard and Porzingis whereas Brown dealt with the ball, the Pistons had been trapped. They couldn’t assist from the baseline, as Derrick White and Jrue Vacation had been stationed within the corners, forcing Detroit to modify.

This resulted in three simultaneous mismatches: Brown towards Cade Cunningham, Porzingis overpowering Tobias Harris within the publish, and Isaiah Stewart struggling to defend Pritchard on the perimeter. The Celtics might then decide their most well-liked possibility and rating with ease.

#5 – Transition protection is again?

Final night time was a masterclass in transition protection—arguably among the finest performances throughout the NBA this season. The Celtics not solely restricted the Pistons’ transition quantity but additionally destroyed their transition effectivity.

They held their opponents to simply 50 factors per 100 possessions in transition, a powerful feat showcasing the staff’s focus, teamwork, and hustle. Joe Mazzulla have to be thrilled with this show.

#6 – Kristaps Porzingis’ gravity and passing are killing defenses

Within the trendy NBA, gamers create spacing in varied methods, and Porzingis’ strategy is exclusive. Certainly one of his underrated expertise is passing. Together with his measurement, he can function as a hub and ship passes over defenders with precision.

On the play above, Brown didn’t want the ball in his arms to be a risk. He reduce to the rim round Porzingis, who timed the go completely, producing three simple factors from a easy sequence. One other instance concerned Luke receiving the ball from Porzingis, slicing, and kicking out to the nook—a testomony to Porzingis’ capacity to see the ground and facilitate.

Whereas his passing quantity might enhance, the Celtics would possibly be capable to develop this side of his recreation, unlocking one other device to break down defenses.

#7 – No new highlights within the Derrick White vs. Cade Cunningham duel

As Mark Aboyoun famous on CelticsBlog, the continuing duel between Cade Cunningham and Derrick White has been fascinating. In earlier video games, Cunningham posterized White, who responded with emphatic blocks.

Nonetheless, final night time’s encounter was comparatively quiet, with solely this post-up second standing out. With the Celtics dominating early, followers should look forward to the following matchup to see this rivalry reignite.

#8 – Boston’s unselfishness

After the sport, John-Blair “J.B.” Bickerstaff praised the Celtics, calling them one of the vital unselfish groups he’s seen.

Final night time, 73% of Boston’s area targets had been assisted. Whereas the Celtics lead the league in isolation quantity, their ball motion stays elite. With each participant logging over 10 minutes recording an help, this recreation highlighted the staff’s collective playmaking capacity.

#9 – Three-point protection

The Pistons’ three-point effectivity dropped dramatically from 36% to 18% towards the Celtics. After two video games capturing over 50% from deep (towards Boston and New York), Detroit was stifled by Boston’s improved rotations and defensive changes.

Whereas early-season noise questioned the Celtics’ defensive capabilities, final night time they showcased flashes of the elite protection that outlined them final yr.

#10 – Drew Peterson on the rise

One rising storyline is the rise of Drew Peterson. Final night time, he logged almost 20 minutes, incomes Joe Mazzulla’s confidence and outpacing Jordan Walsh and Queta in enjoying time.

Although his recreation can really feel disjointed as he overthinks performs, Peterson demonstrated promising flashes of playmaking. His mixture of size and deal with makes him a possible connector.

His scoring stays a query mark. Whereas he confirmed good contact throughout his NCAA profession, his effectivity is proscribed (54% true capturing). Can he turn into an elite shooter and connector? Time will inform, however the potential is thrilling.