10 takeaways from the Celtics’ New Year’s Eve blowout against the Raptors

#1 – Transition protection is again?

Properly, in fact, it is only one sport. But, the Raptors are probably the greatest transition groups within the NBA. They’re third in transition quantity and seventh in factors per sport in transition. On the opposite finish, the Celtics confronted some transition protection struggles over the primary months of the season. This sport was an important problem for Joe Mazzulla’s group and a possibility to remind Celtics followers how nice they are often on protection.

After a tough begin for the Celtics offense, the Raptors confirmed how briskly they are often in transition, however the Celtics had been capable of catch up. Led by Derrick White’s effort, the defending champs had been disciplined and ran as quick as they may to show a straightforward transition right into a defensive cease. The previous Spur blocked 4 makes an attempt over the 27 minutes he performed. A formidable efficiency to complete the 12 months on a excessive observe.

#2 – Payton Pritchard’s tight deal with

One of many causes Payton Pritchard is so environment friendly is his deal with and talent to not lose the ball. Along with his capturing performances and low turnover price, Payton Pritchard is among the most effective gamers within the NBA. Solely Jimmy Butler, Cameron Johnson, and De’Andre Hunter match this effectivity at the same quantity.

On the final episode of the nice podcast View For The Rafters, Payton Pritchard talks about how a lot he labored on his deal with.

The exhausting work paid off as Payton Pritchard turned probably the greatest gamers at conserving the dribble alive, which makes him a relentless menace to the opposing protection. His general enhancements, from his deal with to his footwork, are one of many causes his skill to complete on the rim has elevated a lot. He went from being a below-average rim finisher to probably the most environment friendly amongst guards. In fact, the spacing helps, however Payton Pritchard retains getting higher too.

#3 – Jrue Vacation is again like he by no means left

It’s the vacation season and the Celtics undoubtedly wanted Jrue to be again on the court docket. Alongside Derrick White, his defensive playmaking helped the Celtics flip protection into offense.

With 3 steals and nice defensive stretches on whoever Joe Mazzulla requested him to protect, Jrue Vacation led the Celtics to historic defensive performances. On high of that, he reminded us how versatile he might be on the offensive finish. Grabbing offensive rebounds, setting screens, swinging the ball to an open man, and, in fact, the capturing.

That is additionally an important reminder that the Celtics’ current struggles had been as a result of key gamers lacking time—and the way nice they are often if everyone seems to be wholesome.

#4 – Jordan Walsh offensive mixtape

After the starters dismantled the Raptors’ protection, the stay-ready group was invited to the dance—and Jordan Walsh had some strikes he wished to indicate. His two drives, utilizing Queta’s display, had been actually spectacular.

His protection manipulation, the timing of his dribbles, and footwork opened the rim for him. He confirmed he can use a display like an actual playmaker to create separation, then drive and make the very best determination primarily based on the benefit he generated.

His size helps him end above and round rim protectors, and it forces us to surprise what may occur if he performed extra. In fact, the capturing nonetheless has its ups and downs, however the extra we see him play, the extra it turns into apparent he may very well be a difference-maker in essential video games later this season.

#5 – Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta stunning zoom motion

Generally you suppose a basketball sport would possibly get boring when your group is main by 40 factors, after which the basketball gods remind us how a lot enjoyable this sport might be. From the highest, the Celtics get right into a zoom motion (an off-ball display plus a dribble handoff) with Payton Pritchard as the person on the transfer, Sam Hauser because the display, and Neemias Queta because the ball handler.

This can be a nice mixture of gamers for a zoom motion, as each Hauser and Pritchard can punish from three, and Queta is a superb rim runner and a lob menace. As Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser had been in an important sport, the protection targeted on them and forgot to assist on Queta. This gave us one other stunning spotlight to complete the 12 months.

#6 – Sam Hauser’s confidence appears to be again

After a tough few video games, Sam Hauser had an important sport final evening. After a number of regular catch-and-shoots, the Celtics sharp-shooter went loopy. Early within the fourth, late within the possession, Sam Hauser had the ball in his arms and needed to decide rapidly.

He drives left, can’t discover a method to the rim… so he steps again within the nook and makes an unimaginable shot over the nice defensive guard Davion Mitchell. In fact, it’s only a spotlight, however Sam Hauser and the TD Backyard wanted it!

#7 – Celtics had been unstoppable within the second half

After a gradual begin, and solely 2 factors scored over the primary 5 minutes of the sport, the Celtics was an unstoppable offensive machine within the second half: 80 factors scored during the last 24 minutes, 78% from three, and 18 assists.

Each the starters and the bench had been on fireplace final evening and made positive the followers on the TD Backyard completed 2024 with the very best memento attainable.

#8 – Are the Jaylen Brown left-hand jokes a factor of the previous?

Getting into a brand new 12 months, we frequently need to depart issues behind us—and Jaylen Brown’s left-hand jokes is perhaps one in all them. His offensive sport has advanced once more this 12 months, and the deal with has as soon as once more improved.

The numbers are telling us Jaylen Brown retains getting extra comfy at attending to the rim. He elevated his drive quantity from 10 to 14 per sport this season—and his post-up sport has turned him into probably the most environment friendly gamers from this place.

#9 – Trying forward

To begin the brand new 12 months, the Celtics have a few roadtrip planed. First, a 4 video games stretch the place the Celtics must face a few of the finest defenses within the league (Houston and Minnesota) and two MVP candidates (Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander).

Then, one other 4 video games roadtrip on the westside through which the Celtics must duel with each LA groups, the Warriors and the Mavericks. An entertaining month forward the place we’ll be taught quite a bit about this group.

#10 – Glad new 12 months to all of you!

I couldn’t be happier to begin the 12 months as a author for CelticsBlog—a 12 months in the past, I didn’t even know that may very well be attainable. Due to all of you for all of the suggestions, feedback, and assist.

I’m wishing for an important 2025 12 months to all of you from the French Alps, and hope for all of us to witness our Celtics successful their nineteenth title.