Ten takeaways from the Celtics thrilling time beyond regulation battle vs. the Nets

1. Successful the off-nights.

Boston narrowly pulled out the victory over the Nets in time beyond regulation, and it wasn’t behind their often flurry of made 3’s. They gained the 3PT battle barely, however completed the sport taking pictures a mediocre 26.4%. With little success behind the road, they needed to show as soon as once more that this workforce can win in different methods.

The Celtics shot a mixed 25/34 (74%) within the paint, together with a powerful 14/18 on the rim. Regardless of the inefficiency from 3, Boston by no means stopped taking pictures them. They made essentially the most of each paint contact although, and that was sufficient to carry the Nets off.

That they had a strong defensive recreation too, with Brooklyn taking pictures 41% from the sphere and 26.3% from 3. The Nets had their very own struggles, however Boston did a greater job with their inside protection comparatively, holding them to 27/54 (50%) within the paint.

Lacking two starters and having a poor taking pictures night time is a recipe for catastrophe. The C’s stored defending although, and by no means let the shortage of shotmaking discourage them. This Nets workforce is healthier than anticipated, so it was good to see the Celtics end them off with execution.

2. Abandoning X with the starters.

I don’t need to name Mazzulla cussed, however he’s not one to throw a lineup away on account of a few unhealthy minutes. For this recreation although, he acknowledged fairly shortly that his resolution to start out Tillman was backfiring.

The Nets bought off to a fast 12-0 begin, and dominated all of Tillman’s 5:52 of recreation time. This was definitely not all X’s fault, the Celtics regarded unorganized and sloppy, whereas the Nets had been urgent them and enjoying with physicality. His three missed 3’s didn’t assist although, and Joe went to Queta as a substitute.

It’s been a lower than perfect yr for Tillman early on, and I need to admit I had assumed it will be simpler to combine him after a full low season with the group. There may be loads of time for him to show it round, he simply has to remain assured and hold working.

3. Jrue “Regular Palms” Vacation.

It was a wholesome dose of Vacation that helped the Celtics chop the Nets lead down to shut out the first quarter. He broke Boston’s scoring drought by getting deep submit place a number of instances in opposition to the Brooklyn’s beginning backcourt.

Jrue’s power is one in all his most underappreciated traits as a basketball participant, and it permits him to reap the benefits of much less bodily guards.

He took an identical strategy within the 4th quarter to assist them keep inside hanging distance, and ultimately seize the lead. That is one thing I’ve touched on up to now, however Jrue’s consolation making performs because the roll man is unbelievably helpful.

At first of time beyond regulation, they ran a play to get Vacation a post-up. It doesn’t work precisely as meant with the Nets avoiding a swap, however Tatum fires it right down to him in any case. Jrue snags it out of the air like a large receiver, will get proper into his post-up and finishes via the contact.

This felt like a kind of video games the place the Celtics would have benefited from much more Jrue. He got here via in vital moments although and was an enormous motive they’d sufficient juice even with out the three’s falling.

4. Queta’s inventory continues to rise.

This was not Queta’s finest recreation, but it surely was very clear from the second he checked in that he could possibly be counted on once more. He subbed in for Tillman in the course of the first quarter, and wasted no time.

Neemy didn’t rating some extent, however the Celtics gained his 1st quarter minutes by 10. He had two blocks on the rim, and gave them an opportunity to finish the quarter with a extra cheap deficit.

He rebounded properly, which was useful in a recreation the place they’d hassle on the glass. Except for that, he didn’t add a ton to the field rating. It appears noteworthy although that Mazzulla referred to as on Queta to start out the time beyond regulation interval. It’s clear that he’s earned the belief of the teaching employees.

5. All aboard.

Please take your seats, the Payton Pritchard Sixth Man of the 12 months marketing campaign is full pace forward.

Payton has by no means lacked confidence, however proper now he’s enjoying at a degree that’s often reserved for preseason or late March when all the starters are resting. He appears to be like like he has been totally empowered by his coaches and teammates to get busy. Generally that even means trying off those self same teammates to name his personal quantity.

Pritchard is taking full benefit of the absence of some excessive utilization gamers, and Boston has wanted all of his scoring output. This consistency could possibly be onerous to maintain up when Brown and Porzingis return, but it surely doesn’t seem like he or the Celtics plan to have him take a backseat. There’ll at all times be video games when they’re shorthanded, and this presents the right alternative for Payton to proceed to show his worth to potential 6MOTY award voters.

6. 1st Staff All-DWhite.

Derrick has acquired some properly deserved credit score for his defensive talents since arriving in Boston, however whereas we’re on the subject of award voting.. it’s time to offer him his rightful place on the All-Defensive 1st workforce.

He completed the night time with 3 blocks, along with his final coming slightly emphatically as he rotated to guard the rim.

White is averaging over a block per recreation, and is at present top-20 within the league for whole blocks. In the intervening time, his 12 blocks are tied with reigning DPOY Rudy Gobert. Keep in mind, it is a 6’4 guard we’re speaking about right here, this isn’t regular.

7. Maintain taking pictures Sam.

It’s honest to say we’ve got not seen the perfect of Sam Hauser this season. Beginning the yr with a again harm has clearly restricted his capability to get right into a groove from deep. You can see at instances the seen frustration he was feeling, like after his seventh miss of the night time on a large open nook 3 to tie the sport.

Hauser has hit this shot numerous instances in additional intense situations, which makes his disappointment comprehensible. A standard trait on the planet’s best shooters is the subsequent shot mentality, the place you’ll be able to shrug off any earlier consequence the second that ball hits your finger suggestions.

Sam confirmed as soon as once more that he lives by that code.

To start with, this was an impressive go from Tatum. The boldness required to point out zero hesitation on the shot is precisely why there’s no use worrying about Hauser. It gained’t take lengthy for him to climb again as much as his baseline of 40% from 3, and there’s possible an enormous recreation coming quickly.

8. Mazzulla’s go-to play

In one of many recreation’s most crucial moments, Mazzulla drew up one in all his favourite late recreation performs.

This fast entry, adopted by a lower from Tatum has traditionally been an especially efficient play for Boston. It’s a good way to offer Tatum a bonus whereas he will get downhill towards the rim.

If there was any critique of the Celtics clutch execution, it will be the character of their ultimate possession.

Clearly you’re not going to run the identical play, but it surely appears like a mistake to start out the possession with Tatum heading away from the basket. Thankfully, this didn’t find yourself mattering, it’s price conserving in thoughts although in the event that they discover themselves in the identical scenario throughout one other recreation.

9. The duality of Cam Thomas

Brooklyn’s main scorer is among the premier robust shot makers within the NBA.

Thomas is exclusive within the sense that he genuinely may choose taking pictures over tighter contests. This turns into fairly irritating when the protection has spent a full shot clock making him work, solely to be hit with one in all these:

He’s not the quickest, tallest or most athletic guard, however he has a good deal with and the power to pull-up from wherever. Whereas the scoring is spectacular, the protection is.. not. Boston made it their mission to contain Thomas within the motion throughout practically all the video games vital possessions.

10. Closing time.

As beforehand talked about, there was an enormous purple goal painted on the again of Cam Thomas’s jersey. Jaylen Brown briefly defined Mazzulla and the Celtic’s “Killer whale offense” throughout his look on Sizzling Ones. The Celtics searching Thomas in crunch time was an ideal instance of what it appears to be like like once they’ve discovered a seal.

This was the primary of a string of time beyond regulation possessions that allowed Boston to take management of the sport. This clip ends with a Pritchard missed 3, but it surely’s vital to notice that Payton was used as a screener to pressure Cam Thomas to change on Tatum. As soon as the Nets conceded that swap, they shortly introduced a double workforce over to guard Thomas.

Understanding that Brooklyn will promote out to guard Thomas is essential. On the next possession, they used Pritchard as a screener once more.

This time Tatum rejects the display screen and will get downhill. Thomas was saved momentarily, however appeared to neglect the play wasn’t over. Pritchard cuts proper behind him, Tatum drops within the go and Thomas sends him to the freethrow line.

Boston switches it up barely, deploying Tatum as a screener for Pritchard this time. This causes one other double workforce to verify Tatum doesn’t get that matchup, however he assaults the double and threads a needle to Horford who drills the extensive open clutch 3.

Jrue turns into the initiator with Thomas guarding him now, and as soon as once more Tatum will get concerned to hunt out that swap. This leads to the primary time Tatum will get him 1-on-1, and it ends precisely how the Nets had been apprehensive it will.

This is able to in the end go on to be the game-winning shot, and it completely illustrates the issue that groups face when Boston goes trying to find seals.