Sound the alarm. The Celtics, enjoying with out Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, misplaced to Steph Curry and the 7-1 Warriors. Time to panic.
However significantly, one of the best ways to maneuver ahead after a robust loss is by, properly, transferring ahead. The Celtics (7-2) will get an opportunity to bounce again once they host the sneakily strong Nets (4-4) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The sport might not carry fairly the identical pizzazz because the one earlier than it, however the Nets aren’t any joke. They’re presently tied for third within the Japanese Convention and play a quick, fearless type of basketball.
Listed here are three issues to search for as they conflict in an Atlantic Division showdown.
Can Jayson Tatum preserve it rolling?
The season is simply 9 video games in, however Tatum has very a lot appeared the a part of a official Most Invaluable Participant candidate so far.
He’s averaging 30.2 factors, 7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per sport and has scored 28-plus on all however one event to this point.
One factor I’ve observed currently is how properly the Celtics make the most of Tatum within the excessive pick-and-roll. They’ll let him function simply in entrance of half courtroom, set a display and drive the protection to change. When Tatum has a guard on him, he makes use of his power. When he has a giant on him, he makes use of his pace. When the double comes, he makes the best learn.
It’s easy basketball, nevertheless it’s efficient, largely as a result of Tatum’s decision-making has been elite. He’s working in a LeBron James-like position, the place he’s on the hub and the whole lot revolves round him. It’s working, and there’s no purpose to tweak it in the intervening time.
Is Neemias Queta turning into a fan favourite?
A couple of years in the past, only some diehard NBA followers exterior of Sacramento knew of Neemias Queta. Final 12 months, he grew to become an intriguing identify in Celtics circles. This season, he’s on the verge of blossoming right into a fan favourite in Boston.
Queta, who offered 14 factors, 8 rebounds and a couple of blocks in 28 minutes Wednesday, is figuring it out sport by sport. He’s not fairly Robert Williams III but, however he does have some Williams-like tendencies and traits.
The following step for him is enhancing his ending on the rim, and which means sprucing his 3-to-5-footer. If he turns into a critical menace to attain on extra than simply lobs, be careful. It’s clear he’s earned head coach Joe Mazzulla’s belief within the brief time period and grow to be a challenge long run.
Can they include Cam Thomas and Dennis Schröder?
In the event you thought you have been lastly finished watching Dennis Schröder for some time as soon as the Olympics have been over, I remorse to tell you that he’s now on the Brooklyn Nets.
And sure, he’s enjoying properly. Very properly, truly. Schröder is averaging 19.9 factors and seven.3 assists and has earned minutes over Ben Simmons (sorry, I’ll depart Simmons out of this).
Requested Dennis Schroder whether or not he feels the Nets veterans have been ignored getting into the season:
“We do not actually care what individuals assume, what they are saying. We consider on this group, and everyone desires to make the playoffs.” pic.twitter.com/mbQ0cNUIII
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) November 5, 2024
Schröder is the sort of participant who thrives when he has freedom, and that’s what he has in Brooklyn. With Cam Thomas (24.9 factors per sport) and Cameron Johnson (16.6 PPG) as sidekicks, Schröder helps the Nets push the tempo.
They’re the sort of staff that you simply assume you’re going to wallop, then you definitely lookup and it’s a six-point sport with two minutes left. It’s very doable the Celtics win by 30, nevertheless it’s in all probability extra doubtless that the plucky Nets hold round earlier than the Celtics finally prevail.
