The 12 minutes that changed everything for the Celtics

Tie recreation, nonetheless 24 minutes of basketball to play. The Celtics are a loss away from elimination, they usually determined to take issues into their very own palms. Luke Kornet begins as a substitute of Kristaps Porzingis, and the script is about to vary.

Within the third quarter, the Celtics solely concede 17 factors in 12 minutes. That’s 74 factors per 100 possessions—an absolute defensive masterclass that made offense simpler as a result of they performed off misses. However how was it made attainable?

Due to Luke Kornet.

The Celtics used Kornet as a goalkeeper or a security, relying on which sport you’re extra aware of. As a result of the Knicks at all times have a participant who might be left open from three, the Celtics had been decided to remove the paint.

Round Kornet’s tall and robust body, they constructed a defensive wall to pressure powerful, contested photographs or open three-pointers for Josh Hart. Due to that defensive strategy, the Knicks didn’t try a single shot on the rim. They shot 0-for-5 from the brief mid-range, 2-for-8 from the lengthy mid-range, and 2-for-7 from three.

The 2 threes really got here from Josh Hart early within the third, as if the basketball gods had been testing the Celtics’ perception of their defensive strategy.

Whereas the protection improved and took away the paint, the offense additionally seemed very completely different from what we’ve seen up to now within the sequence. Inside 60 seconds of the third quarter, the Celtics drove to the basket twice and generated 4 factors—at all times attacking Jalen Brunson, forcing him to play protection.

Again on protection, it wasn’t simply the Kornet adjustment. The self-discipline and vitality had been additionally much better. Within the first half, Jaylen Brown was caught off guard a few occasions when following Brunson off-ball—however he was locked in throughout the second half.

Right here, have a look at him being like Marcus Good and saving the ball after stealing it from Brunson.

Many of the Kornet discuss centered round his seven blocks — but which may not have been probably the most spectacular half. Watch him on this play, switching onto Brunson whereas staying related. Then, the self-discipline to modify once more with Derrick White to seek out himself off-ball. Josh Hart can’t assault Jrue Vacation, and that’s one other cease for the Celtics.

He moved rather well regardless of his excessive middle of gravity and weight. Right here once more, he navigates the back-screen from the paint pick-and-roll, closes out, contests Hart’s drive, and blocks Karl-Anthony Cities’ rim try.

But Kornet wasn’t the one defensive hero of the sport. Right here, after a timeout, watch Brown’s focus and dedication to remain related with Brunson full courtroom. He goes beneath the display screen when wanted, fights again to regain place, and doesn’t give area. This finally ends up being a poor possession for the Knicks, who’re struggling in opposition to the Celtics’ defensive strategy.

The Brown–Kornet duo is killing the Knicks’ pick-and-roll, and the offense is stagnant. New York retains attempting to contain Kornet, as a result of if not, he’ll be ready on the rim to disrupt shot makes an attempt. The issue is, he’s doing a improbable job containing the drive whereas staying related to Hart.

On this try once more, his presence takes away Brunson’s drive. He then rotates again to Hart, forces him into a tricky shot, blocks him—and that’s one other turnover.

On the opposite facet of the courtroom, the Celtics both play in transition or discover methods to drive and get one of the best shot attainable. Brown and Kornet assault KAT once more in a pick-and-roll. As quickly as he has area, Brown drives and forces Hart to assist from the sturdy facet… which provides an open three to Payton Pritchard.

A brand new goalkeeper impression from Kornet who, in a single possession, takes away 4 completely different attainable shot makes an attempt. Due to him, neither Cities, Brunson, nor Hart tries something on the rim. And even when KAT thinks it’s open, Kornet blocks him for one more defensive cease.

Because of all these defensive stops, the Celtics get into offense early and might get in movement. The ball motion—and gamers’ capability to thrive in chaos—was essential and effectively executed. Look right here: Sam Hauser will get right into a ghost-screen motion spontaneously, and that’s an open three for him.

The Celtics would possibly even have discovered the way in which to kill the Knicks’ offense with Kornet taking part in in the identical place Robert Williams used to. Take a look at all of the Knicks’ ball motion and screening. But, as a result of they’ve one non-shooting risk on the ground, Kornet can preserve working as a goalkeeper and block yet one more shot.

After which got here the masterpiece of that third quarter, which introduced pleasure again into my life for a second. The Knicks try to run a horns set with the ball in Hart’s palms. This strategy is supposed to tug Kornet as removed from the rim as attainable. On the facet, OG Anunoby will get a post-up in opposition to White and tries to attain over him, however he’s not fast sufficient—and that’s one other block from Kornet, who even saves the ball because it goes out!

Then, the Celtics run in transition and attempt to capitalize on the miss. Kornet runs to the opposite finish and will get the ball on the wing. Hauser acknowledges a handoff alternative and sprints to him. That collapses the protection, and Kornet is free on the rim. Attractive.

Towards the Celtics’ nice protection, the Knicks’ lack of spacing was apparent—and Joe Mazzulla took benefit of it. In 12 minutes, the Celtics constructed a 15-point lead and by no means seemed again. The fourth quarter was additionally spectacular, with nice ball motion and continued defensive execution.

The Celtics have what it takes to do the identical at Madison Sq. Backyard in Sport 6 and produce the sequence again to Boston for a Sport 7 on the TD Backyard.

Do you imagine?