Ten takeaways from the Celtics thrilling overtime battle vs. the Nets

Boston narrowly pulled out the victory over the Nets in additional time, and it wasn’t behind their often flurry of made 3’s. They received the 3PT battle barely, however completed the sport capturing 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 formidable 14/18 on the rim. Regardless of the inefficiency from 3, Boston by no means stopped capturing them. They made probably the most of each paint contact although, and that was sufficient to carry the Nets off.

They’d a stable defensive sport too, with Brooklyn capturing 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 capturing night time is a recipe for catastrophe. The C’s stored defending although, and by no means let the dearth 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 wish to name Mazzulla cussed, however he’s not one to throw a lineup away as a consequence of a few unhealthy minutes. For this sport although, he acknowledged fairly shortly that his choice to start out Tillman was backfiring.

The Nets received off to a fast 12-0 begin, and dominated all of Tillman’s 5:52 of sport time. This was definitely not all X’s fault, the Celtics appeared 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 an alternative.

It’s been a lower than very best yr for Tillman early on, and I have 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 Fingers” 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 put up place a number of instances towards the Brooklyn’s beginning backcourt.

Jrue’s power is one among his most underappreciated traits as a basketball participant, and it permits him to benefit from much less bodily guards.

He took an identical strategy within the 4th quarter to assist them keep inside putting distance, and finally 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 additional time, they ran a play to get Vacation a post-up. It doesn’t work precisely as supposed with the Nets avoiding a swap, however Tatum fires it right down to him anyhow. Jrue snags it out of the air like a large receiver, will get proper into his post-up and finishes by means of the contact.

This felt like a type of video games the place the Celtics would have benefited from much more Jrue. He got here by means of in essential moments although and was a giant purpose that they had sufficient juice even with out the three’s falling.

4. Queta’s inventory continues to rise.

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

Neemy didn’t rating a degree, however the Celtics received 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 nicely, which was useful in a sport the place that they had hassle on the glass. Apart from that, he didn’t add a ton to the field rating. It appears noteworthy although that Mazzulla known as on Queta to start out the additional time interval. It’s clear that he’s earned the belief of the teaching workers.

5. All aboard.

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

Payton has by no means lacked confidence, however proper now he’s enjoying at a stage that’s often reserved for preseason or late March when all the starters are resting. He seems to be like he has been totally empowered by his coaches and teammates to get busy. Typically 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 may very well 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 all the time 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 Crew All-DWhite.

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

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

White is averaging over a block per sport, and is at present top-20 within the league for complete blocks. In the meanwhile, his 12 blocks are tied with reigning DPOY Rudy Gobert. Bear in mind, this can be a 6’4 guard we’re speaking about right here, this isn’t regular.

7. Preserve capturing Sam.

It’s truthful to say now we have not seen the perfect of Sam Hauser this season. Beginning the yr with a again harm has clearly restricted his capacity to get right into a groove from deep. You may 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 typical trait on this planet’s biggest shooters is the subsequent shot mentality, the place you may shrug off any earlier end result the second that ball hits your finger ideas.

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 received’t take lengthy for him to climb again as much as his baseline of 40% from 3, and there’s doubtless a giant sport coming quickly.

8. Mazzulla’s go-to play

In one of many sport’s most crucial moments, Mazzulla drew up one among his favourite late sport performs.

This fast entry, adopted by a reduce from Tatum has traditionally been a particularly efficient play for Boston. It’s an effective way to provide 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 closing 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 value maintaining in thoughts although in the event that they discover themselves in the identical scenario throughout one other sport.

9. The duality of Cam Thomas

Brooklyn’s main scorer is likely one of the premier robust shot makers within the NBA.

Thomas is exclusive within the sense that he genuinely would possibly want capturing 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 among these:

He’s not the quickest, tallest or most athletic guard, however he has a good deal with and the flexibility 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 almost all the video games important possessions.

10. Closing time.

As beforehand talked about, there was a giant 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 Scorching Ones. The Celtics searching Thomas in crunch time was an ideal instance of what it seems to be like once they’ve discovered a seal.

This was the primary of a string of additional time possessions that allowed Boston to take management of the sport. This clip ends with a Pritchard missed 3, but it surely’s essential to notice that Payton was used as a screener to drive 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 vital. On the next possession, they used Pritchard as a screener once more.

This time Tatum rejects the display 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 ends in the primary time Tatum will get him 1-on-1, and it ends precisely how the Nets had been fearful it will.

This could in the end go on to be the game-winning shot, and it completely illustrates the issue that groups face when Boston goes looking for seals.