10 takeaways from a stifling defensive win over Jokic and the Nuggets

On February twenty second, the Lakers discovered a method to disrupt the Denver Nuggets’ offensive stream round Jokic regardless of their lack of dimension. They did so by limiting his touches within the paint. Since Jokic is essentially the most environment friendly participant inside the two-point space, the additional he receives the ball, the higher. Subsequently, just like the Lakers, the Celtics put in quite a lot of effort to make it as troublesome as potential for him to get the ball.

As soon as Jokic had the ball, the Celtics despatched a number of gamers to him, guaranteeing layups have been unimaginable and driving lanes have been closed. For the reason that Nuggets surrounded Nikola Jokic with athletic gamers who aren’t dependable shooters, the Celtics needed to ensure there have been no drives and no cuts to the rim.

As an alternative, the Celtics have been keen to surrender threes—even open threes. Towards Boston, the Denver Nuggets tried extra three-pointers than traditional (40% three-point frequency in Boston vs. 30% season common). On the opposite finish, the Celtics closed the paint so effectively that Denver tried solely 22% of their pictures on the rim (in comparison with 38% on common this season).

Total, the Denver Nuggets have been restricted to 111 factors per 100 possessions, far under their season common of 121. If you wish to dig deeper, Adam Taylor did a full breakdown on the Celtics protection in his newest.

#2 – Al Horford’s defensive masterpiece

To decelerate the Denver Nuggets, the Celtics wanted a defensive anchor to construct their wall round—and that was Al Horford. The veteran was the key ingredient that solidified the protection.

When matched up with Jokic, Horford did a terrific job slowing him down and forcing him into powerful positions. Jokic is among the greatest gamers at making troublesome pictures, however Horford discovered a method to defend him effectively with out fouling.

Off the ball, Horford was lively on the again finish of the protection, disrupting passing lanes. Towards Jokic, it’s important to interrupt off-ball motion and restrict his passing choices, as he can discover an open participant from any place.

On high of contesting pictures, grabbing three steals, and creating transition alternatives by way of rebounding, Horford was capable of change onto smaller gamers. After all, he obtained scored on at occasions, however he constantly pressured contested pictures.

#3 – Jaylen Brown looking Jamal Murray

One other recreation, one other defensive goal for the Celtics. This time, the inexperienced military went after Jamal Murray. Whereas Murray isn’t the smallest participant on the courtroom, forcing him into defensive actions drains his vitality, which impacts his offense. Jaylen Brown relentlessly attacked him, creating drives and forcing him to defend on the ball.

Regardless of coping with knee discomfort, Jaylen Brown dominated the matchup, scoring 22 factors and producing 9 free-throw makes an attempt—a robust mark for him. His improved post-up recreation has been a key asset this season, permitting him to show his again to the basket and overpower defenders in such conditions.

As Brown talked about within the press convention, he was brief on just a few pictures, however total, he put Jamal Murray in a tricky place. Nevertheless, it was additionally noticeable that Denver was keen to go away Murray on an island moderately than ship assist, which immediately impacted the Celtics’ capturing steadiness.

#4 – Celtics’ three-point quantity

The Denver Nuggets did a terrific job limiting the Celtics’ three-point makes an attempt. Regardless of lacking Aaron Gordon and being constructed round a non-traditional large man, the Nuggets excel at closing gaps and forcing Boston into extra mid-range pictures than traditional.

As Jaylen Brown famous, some groups choose to “keep dwelling” and keep away from bringing an additional defender to assist—even when there’s a mismatch. This typically turns a mismatch right into a post-up or a contested drive moderately than an open shot created from a cross out of double protection.

As a result of groups aren’t sending additional defenders to cease the Celtics’ greatest scorers, it’s tougher to search out open three-pointers. This raises an necessary query with no definitive reply—what’s the higher technique? Dwelling with three-pointers or accepting fixed one-on-one punishment? Time will inform what opposing groups are keen to concede towards the Celtics.

#5 – Luke Kornet as a connector

Nonetheless, the Denver Nuggets sometimes left house open, and Luke Kornet took benefit. Kornet is what we prefer to name a connector—a participant who could not create gaps himself however is adept at sustaining offensive stream as soon as he will get the ball. An awesome instance:

When he obtained the ball on the brief roll, he confronted a four-on-three state of affairs—created by Jayson Tatum’s gravity within the pick-and-roll. 4 defenders towards three offensive gamers means somebody is open, and a superb connector finds that participant. An awesome connector finds him rapidly and in a perfect place. Within the instance above, the ball moved swiftly to Horford, who was positioned underneath the basket.

Within the subsequent instance, Kornet began the motion within the slot—regardless of not being a three-point shooter. Nevertheless, as a result of he is a good connector, he exploited the hole created by Payton Pritchard, flowing right into a handoff with Hauser. This motion triggered a response from the low man, liberating up Horford underneath the basket as soon as once more. Kornet discovered him instantly.

#6 – Kornet on Westbrook

Nevertheless, Kornet’s impression prolonged past offense. As soon as once more, he was assigned to a degree guard with no capturing risk—this time Russell Westbrook—and as soon as once more, the technique labored effectively. After all, this method depends upon whether or not the ignored participant makes the Celtics pay.

But, the objective is to stay with variance and defend the paint in any respect prices, as talked about earlier on this article. Kornet’s potential to manage house together with his dimension, size, and positional consciousness is essential to Joe Mazzulla’s artistic defensive schemes. As soon as once more, Mazzulla confirmed he’s extra than simply an offensive mastermind—he can assemble elite defensive methods as effectively.

#7 – Transition protection

Talking of protection, it’s necessary to notice that Boston’s transition protection was on level regardless of Denver recording 11 steals. The Nuggets managed solely 89 factors per 100 possessions in transition, an impressively low mark given how environment friendly transition offense is meant to be.

All through many of the recreation, the Celtics have been disciplined defensively—effectively, virtually the entire recreation.

#8 – Denver’s late third-quarter run

The Celtics as soon as once more flirted with permitting a comeback, mirroring their gradual end to the primary half. This stretch was a terrific instance of how troublesome it’s to defend the Nuggets, the second-best offense within the NBA this season. Within the ultimate minutes of the third quarter, Boston allowed Denver to return to their traditional actions that includes Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.

In only a few minutes, the Celtics’ lead disappeared, and Denver clawed their approach again earlier than the ultimate quarter. Nevertheless, this time, Boston didn’t let one other comeback occur. They entered the fourth quarter targeted, shutting down Denver’s hopes.

#9 – Choose-and-roll struggles

I’ve been vocal about how a lot the Celtics must depend on Jayson Tatum’s pick-and-rolls to generate offense. Nevertheless, this recreation wasn’t the perfect instance. Tatum misplaced the ball 5 occasions in pick-and-roll conditions. Mike Malone’s recreation plan was to use strain with hedge protection, sending two defenders at Tatum after he used the display:

Despite the fact that he struggled with turnovers and scoring from these actions, he nonetheless created for his teammates. Within the instance under, a staggered ball display pulled three defenders onto him, liberating up Derrick White within the nook. As quickly as White was open, Tatum discovered him for a three-pointer.

Even on an off night time, this straightforward motion remained efficient.

#10 – First win towards Jokic since 2022

Despite the fact that Joe Mazzulla mentioned he didn’t point out Jokic within the recreation plan, it should really feel good for the crew and training employees to lastly beat the perfect participant within the league.