1. Unimaginable Resilience by Boston
In a recreation the place every little thing was stacked in opposition to the Celtics, they have been in a position to take down the primary seeded Detroit Pistons on a 13 recreation profitable streak with out Neemias Queta. That’s simply an unbelievable accomplishment for this group in simply their greatest win of the season. It is a recreation the place you bought contributions from everybody up and down the roster and for a younger staff like Boston with out quite a lot of established items, that could be a large confidence builder. They held the Pistons to 40% taking pictures from the sector and 31% taking pictures from three whereas themselves taking pictures 44% from the sector and 46% from three. Only a nice efficiency general.
Jaylen Brown had an incredible quote about this win and this Celtics staff on the whole within the postgame interviews: “Nice win. Simply reveals that on any given evening, we are able to play with anyone.”
2. Welcome Again, Derrick White
Sadly, I’ve to offer credit score to Kendrick Perkins on ESPN’s halftime present as he mentioned Derrick White needed to step up within the second half if the Celtics needed to win this recreation after solely scoring 2 factors. I’m undecided if White heard that, however he locked in and completed along with his greatest recreation of the season. White had 14 factors within the third quarter alone and one other 11 within the 4th quarter to complete with a season-high 27 factors on the evening on 7-13 FG and 6-11 3PT together with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.
That is the kind of taking pictures efficiency I feel everybody in Celtics nation anticipated from White going into this season. He made some unbelievable clutch photographs within the 4th quarter together with a 31-foot moon ball to offer Boston a 4-point lead with a minute to go.
His clutch contributions didn’t cease right here as with 17.9 seconds to go and the Pistons popping out of a timeout, White made a heads up play as he poked the ball away from Cade Cunningham to offer the Celtics the ball again. With out this play I’m undecided Boston has an opportunity to win this recreation.
I cherished seeing this efficiency out of Derrick White and I hope this formally places his taking pictures droop to mattress and he can actually begin to flip up for the Celtics.
3. One other JB Masterclass
For those who take a look at Jaylen Brown’s taking pictures line you won’t be extremely impressed with it (12-32 FG, 2-7 3PT), however identical to virtually each win the Celtics have had this season, they’d not have gained this recreation with out his offensive efficiency. Brown completed with 33 factors with 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and a pair of blocks, showcasing his complete skillset on each side of the ball. He obtained on a scorching streak within the 4th quarter and hit an enormous and-1 layup to offer Boston the lead with 1:37 to go.
Brown has develop into an unbelievable chief for this Celtics staff because it felt like your complete staff was taking part in with the aggressive mindset that he possessed. Mark Jones on the ESPN broadcast advised a narrative about how Brown made it a precedence to come back to coaching camp early simply to construct chemistry and camaraderie with the entire new gamers on the roster. It is a microcosm of why Boston can nonetheless achieve success with Brown on the helm and I’m so grateful he’s a Celtic.
4. Amari Williams is a NBA Participant
With Neemias Queta being out with a left ankle sprain, the Celtics determined to activate the contract for Amari Williams so he may be a part of the staff in Boston for this recreation. This meant he was going to get thrown within the fireplace straight away having to battle Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewert from the Pistons and general, I feel he was in a position to maintain his personal. Williams performed quarter-hour off the bench that proved to be large, ending with 1 level, 3 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Considered one of his blocks approaching Cade Cunningham in an identical approach one other Williams that wore a Celtics uniform used to look.
On no account am I saying Amari Williams goes to be the subsequent Robert Williams straight away, however I do suppose he confirmed that he’s a legit NBA participant. Now he’s on a two-way with the Celtics however I feel it might be of their greatest curiosity to maintain him in Boston as a lot as he can for his improvement. He has proven some good instruments within the G-League and will play a 3rd middle position much like what Neemias Queta did within the final couple seasons. No matter they find yourself doing with Williams, I do suppose it’s secure to say he deserves an opportunity to point out what he can do within the absence of Queta.
5. Wingstop Trio: Gonzalez, Minott, and Walsh
I’m undecided if the nickname will stick however I want to begin calling the trio of Hugo Gonzalez, Josh Minott, and Jordan Walsh, Wingstop. They create a younger, chaotic power to the Celtics wing place and are turning into some legit lockdown defenders.
Beginning with Jordan Walsh who I feel has cemented himself within the beginning and shutting lineups for this iteration of the Celtics. Walsh completed with 7 factors, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and a pair of steals vs the Pistons and did an incredible job when it got here to creating chaos. He was the first defender on Cunningham on Detroit’s offensive possession with 17.9 seconds left to go within the recreation that ended with a turnover whereas taking part in on the small-ball middle place. Not solely that, he had one other play early within the recreation on Cunningham the place he stripped him resulting in a Derrick White layup and made a number of nice cuts to the basket on offense that led to straightforward dunks.
Josh Minott additionally had an incredible recreation ending with 9 factors, 5 rebounds and three assists whereas hitting two 3-pointers. Just like Walsh, Minott additionally performed quite a lot of small-ball 5 on this recreation and it led to some success on the defensive finish because it slowed down Jalen Duren slightly bit. Minott’s greatest play of the sport got here early within the second quarter as he hit an and-1 three pointer whereas Duren landed beneath him.
Lastly, Hugo Gonzalez solely performed 7 minutes on this recreation however quite a lot of them got here at first of the 4th quarter the place he performed some actually powerful protection on the Pistons that stored the sport shut.
All three of those gamers have began video games over the course of the season and all three of them have had diverse ranges of success, however one factor all three of them share is that after they step on the court docket, they’re going to create chaos, and they’re going to be necessary items within the Mazzulla Ball Machine.
Baylor Scheierman is having a sneaky stable season to this point in 12 months two with the Celtics and this was perhaps his most necessary efficiency of the season to this point. With Brown and White struggling to shoot the ball early, Scheierman got here up firing with confidence and stored the Celtics within the recreation with 13 factors on 5-6 FG and 3-4 3PT on the half. This included some good bag work as he was in a position to present a cease and pop midrange shot over the outstretched arms of Jalen Duren
With Walsh and Minott taking part in small-ball 5, Scheierman ended up taking part in half-hour in complete for the Celtics and though he didn’t rating once more within the second half, he was nonetheless in a position to maintain his personal earlier than fouling out late within the 4th quarter. Scheierman is admittedly displaying he deserves minutes with Boston and is making the most of his alternatives.
7. Survived the Paint Battle
One thing that makes or breaks video games for the Celtics this season is at all times going to be the rebounding battle and with no Queta, there was a way of dread that Jalen Duren was going to seize a minimal of 40 rebounds on his personal. That was slight hyperbole however general Boston did sufficient to outlive getting out-rebounded 56-44 and giving up 21 offensive rebounds. Detroit was additionally in a position to rating on the basket at will, outscoring the Celtics 42-22 in factors within the paint. The shortage of a middle for Boston was the principle excuse and you may overlook this however it’s nonetheless one thing to be involved about relying on how lengthy Queta will probably be out.
This was an unbelievable win by the Celtics and it actually makes a press release that claims they could be a Jayson Tatum return away from being a legit staff within the East once more. Nevertheless, then there are additionally video games just like the loss to Brooklyn that claims, perhaps a semi-tank isn’t so unhealthy. This conundrum will proceed to be debated amongst Celtics followers for the remainder of the season however because it’s nonetheless early sufficient, I there’s a case that Tatum comes again and this staff could make some noise within the playoffs.
On the NBC Sports activities Boston Pregame Present, in a query on who’s one of the best staff within the East, Brian Scalabrine mentioned to Chris Forsberg, “We’re one of the best staff within the east if [Jayson Tatum] comes again.” Forsberg responded with, “How early do you count on him to be Jayson Tatum?” and Scal responded with, “April 1st.”
This does deliver up extra questions to consider as if Tatum comes again round February and begins to feel and look comfy once more round April, is a playoff run out of the realm of risk? Clearly we must see what the Celtics file is by the point Tatum might be again however I would agree with Scal, Boston might be one of the best staff within the East with a wholesome Jayson Tatum.
9. Cade Cunningham is a famous person
Even within the loss, Cade Cunningham put up a ridiculous stat-line vs the Celtics, scoring 42 factors, 8 rebounds, 5 assists on 12-26 FG, 4-9 3PTm and 14-16 FT. Cunningham actually is the important thing to the Pistons success this season as he’s having an MVP-level marketing campaign to this point. I knew he was nice however watching torch the Celtics all evening actually strengthened to me that he’s a famous person on this league. He can get to wherever he desires whether or not its a 3 pointer from 30-feet, mid vary jumper, or simply bullying his approach into the paint, he’s a legit three-level scorer. Nevertheless the factor that basically impressed me was his protection. He completed with just one steal and 1 block however he made what felt like at the least 5 go deflections and he at all times appeared to have the ability to breakup any quick break the Celtics had. The Pistons haven’t had this stage of a participant in a very long time and I’m pleased to see the town of Detroit be a revered basketball metropolis once more.
I spent my ninth takeaway applauding Cade Cunningham for his wonderful efficiency and season general so I really feel its okay to speak concerning the insane foul name he obtained on the finish of the sport. With 6.3 seconds to go within the recreation, Anfernee Simons hit two free throws to offer the Celtics a 115-112 lead. Cade Cunningham obtained the ball and began to make his approach up the court docket off the inbound go and Jordan Walsh fouled him on the ground with 4.4 seconds. Nevertheless, Tony Brothers modified the decision from the opposite facet of the court docket to award Cunningham with a taking pictures foul and provides the Pistons three free throws to probably tie the sport. It was a seemingly ridiculous name in actual time however karma got here for the Celtics as Cunningham missed the third free throw, Boston obtained the rebound, and the sport was over.
This was perhaps probably the most excellent instance of an outdated saying that former Boston Celtic and Detroit Piston Rasheed Wallace coined way back, “Ball Don’t Lie.” Jaylen Brown agreed with this sentiment as when he was requested postgame, he had the identical three phrase phrase in response.
Boston’s subsequent recreation is on Saturday November twenty ninth at 5pm as they make a journey to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves.
Completely happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
