10 takeaways from the Celtics’ collapse against the Cavaliers

#1 – Looking a DPOY candidate

Within the press convention earlier than the sport, Kenny Atkinson stated he anticipated Darius Garland to be hunted, because the Celtics are recognized for creating mismatches. Nevertheless, the Celtics didn’t hunt Darius Garland. As an alternative, they went after among the best defensive gamers within the NBA, Evan Mobley.

On the primary play, the Celtics pressured a swap and created a one-on-one scenario for Jaylen Brown towards Evan Mobley. The younger massive man’s size might trouble a drive, however he struggles in relation to contesting pull-up threes.

At first, I believed it was simply random—however the Celtics stored going at Evan Mobley. They knew the Cavaliers would strive their greatest to guard the paint vicariously with Jarrett Allen roaming close to the rim. So as an alternative of searching Darius Garland for driving lanes, they hunted Evan Mobley for simpler pull-ups.

After that, they went after Jarrett Allen with Jayson Tatum and uncovered his lack of lateral mobility and pace. Nonetheless, there’s no disgrace in not having the ability to sustain with Jayson Tatum. The All-NBA First Crew ahead is a strolling mismatch machine, and never many gamers can cease him one-on-one.

On the finish of the sport, when Jarrett Allen was out, they went again to searching Darius Garland, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to get the win within the clutch.

2 – Jayson and Jaylen dominated

The Celtics duo took 61 of the staff’s 89 shot makes an attempt and scored 83 factors. At first, the sport plan wasn’t to be that aggressive, however Jaylen and Jayson have been invited to take action by the Cavaliers’ protection.

Because the Cavaliers did an important job of limiting switches as a lot as attainable and determined to maintain it a one-on-one scenario when mismatches occurred, the Jays had no alternative however to dominate and take these pictures.

#3 – Empty facet offense with out JT

One of many Celtics’ greatest challenges is conserving the offense flowing with out Jayson Tatum on the ground. To take action, they used empty-side actions with Derrick White and Al Horford within the first half, for instance.

With these actions, the Celtics give themselves a greater likelihood to hunt mismatches or create gaps since strong-side assist isn’t out there. Following the screening motion between Derrick White and Al Horford, the Celtics can consider the Cavaliers’ response and alter accordingly.

Mismatches usually create gravity, and if that occurs, it opens the nook. If nothing develops, they’ll run a second motion moderately as a result of they did wait too lengthy to get into the primary empty-side motion.

The offense was functioning properly even with Jayson Tatum off the ground… till the Cavs switched to a zone protection.

#4 – Celtics towards the zone protection

Within the final sport towards the Cavaliers, we already famous within the 10 Takeaways that Cleveland used a zone protection. Again then, Jrue Vacation was usually positioned in the course of the court docket close to the free-throw line to disrupt passing lanes—and it labored properly.

Final night time, the Cavaliers’ zone did a significantly better job of limiting open pictures for the Celtics. Since Jaylen and Jayson have been creating rather a lot from isolation, it was a wise method to take that offensive possibility away. After I requested Joe Mazzulla about it, he stated he knew they might strive the zone (sorry prematurely for my french accent):

The Celtics didn’t overreact to the defensive zone and tried to push the tempo. As Joe Mazzulla says, the offensive sport plan towards a zone is dependent upon whether or not it follows a make or a miss—as a result of after a miss, the protection doesn’t have time to arrange the zone correctly.

Nonetheless, the Celtics struggled towards the zone final night time, and the absence of Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis didn’t assist. These two gamers can function in the course of the zone and drive the protection to break down—one thing the Celtics didn’t do with out them.

#5 – No layups, no downside?

On the finish of the primary half, the Celtics had tried only one shot on the rim however have been main by 10 factors. Because of a sizzling begin on leap pictures, Boston scored 74 factors within the first 24 minutes. They made 14 of their 24 three-point makes an attempt, making it practically unattainable for the Cavaliers to maintain up.

Nevertheless, the three-pointers disappeared within the second half. The Celtics tried solely 13 threes within the final 24 minutes—removed from their 24 triples within the first half. The Cavs introduced extra depth on switches and took up extra space with their defensive zone, as talked about earlier.

They attacked the rim extra within the second half, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to compensate for his or her cooling three-point taking pictures. As mid-range pictures and floaters turned extra contested with the zone protection, the Celtics ended up scoring simply 42 factors within the final 24 minutes.

#6 – Cavaliers’ small ball

For one-third of the fourth quarter, Cleveland performed with out Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley—fairly sudden given how essential they’re to the Cavaliers’ protection. Nonetheless, Kenny Atkinson determined to go small to enhance defensive motion and create higher spacing on offense.

Because the Celtics have been continuously concentrating on Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers took that possibility away whereas bettering their spacing. This adjustment got here with a shift in defensive technique, because the Cavs turned to a zone and have become extra aggressive on the ball, even utilizing some double groups.

#7 – Bench minutes

The Cleveland Cavaliers are deep—and this sport was a reminder. With Ty Jerome’s unstoppable offense, Dean Wade’s versatile protection, De’Andre Hunter’s particular person scoring potential, and Sam Merrill’s taking pictures, the Cavs can add an important set of complementary expertise round their core 4 stars.

Whereas the Cavaliers’ bench helped them keep aggressive early on, the Celtics’ second unit was restricted. Solely Payton Pritchard scored off the bench, whereas Torey Craig and Drew Peterson performed only a few seconds. Luke Kornet introduced power on the offensive glass and rim safety, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to counter Cleveland’s depth.

#8 – Sam Hauser hunt

Each groups engaged in a searching session final night time. Whereas the Celtics attacked Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers focused Sam Hauser. The sharpshooter couldn’t sustain with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland’s pace. Because the Celtics willingly swap on nearly each display, the Cavaliers merely despatched whoever Hauser was defending into motion.

Nonetheless, I ponder why gamers typically swap so simply. Within the instance above, there was no actual want to modify—the motion is sluggish and much from the three-point line. But, Hauser switches onto Donovan Mitchell and will get attacked once more. Everybody within the constructing knew what was coming, but they stored switching, leaving Hauser on an island.

#9 – Evan Mobley’s offense within the fourth

To begin the fourth quarter, the Cavs constructed their offense round Evan Mobley. They knew the Celtics wouldn’t defend him past the three-point line, so that they drew up a play to get him a clear look from deep.

In addition they sought good post-up positions to take advantage of his dimension towards Celtics guards. Regardless of being skinny, he can put stress on the rim when posting up a smaller defender. And the Celtics can’t ship an excessive amount of assist—Mobley will discover the open shooter.

With the offense working via him, the Cavs took the lead early within the fourth and finally secured the win.

#10 – I would really like seven of those, please

That’s it—the Celtics and Cavaliers have performed their 4 regular-season matchups, splitting the sequence 2-2. Now, we wait and hope these two elite groups meet within the Jap Convention Finals.