10 takeaways from Boston’s composed dismantling of the Blazers

#1 – Jayson Tatum unstoppable scoring

With Jaylen Brown out for a number of video games, the Celtics’ opponents can focus their protection on Jayson Tatum—and the Portland Path Blazers did simply that. But, Tatum as soon as once more confirmed he can get himself getting in any state of affairs. On the primary ball display screen with Al Horford, Tatum snakes the pick-and-roll and places Toumani Camara on his again. Then, he waits till the final second to alter path on his drive, dropping Donovan Clingan and opening a path to the rim.

His nice shot-making was additionally on show final night time with this stunning fadeaway following a break up motion with Luke Kornet and JD Davison. It was a terrific reminder of his elite taking pictures contact from the mid-range, the place he hit eight subject targets.

The Celtics focused varied mismatches, and within the second half, the objective was to make Clingan change onto Jayson Tatum. First, they ran a flare display screen off the ball—this appears to be like like a play that OKC typically runs for Chet Holmgren as a trailer. Right here, the Celtics are taking part in in from a made basket, but it surely works too.

On the subsequent play, the Celtics use Horford once more as a ball handler on a handoff. This two-man recreation pressured Clingan to modify as soon as extra onto Tatum, and the All-NBA ahead punished it with a four-point play.

From mid-range, on the rim, or from three, Jayson Tatum saved killing the Portland Path Blazers’ protection — however what about his playmaking?

#2 – And his versatile playmaking

The synergy with Luke Kornet was very apparent once more. With or with out the ball, Kornet’s screening capability and Jayson Tatum’s offensive really feel generated high-quality appears to be like. Right here, Tatum makes use of the flare display screen away from the ball to free himself and finds Kornet for the alley-oop.

On the very subsequent play, one other nice pick-and-roll navigation from Tatum, who finds his manner between two defenders following a Kornet display screen. The defensive shell cracks as he finds Davison within the nook, who swings it to Baylor Scheierman, who fakes and pulls up from three. This gained’t depend as an help for JT, however as soon as once more, he’s the initiator and playmaker.

On the finish, Jayson Tatum as soon as once more comes near a triple double with 9 assists and 9 rebounds alongside 30 factors.

#3 – Scheierman early minutes

With Payton Pritchard’s early foul bother, the rookie was referred to as into responsibility fairly early within the recreation. He shortly made an impression with a sensible drive-and-kick from the nook. He will get the ball and is affected person sufficient to trick his matchup into pondering he would possibly shoot, then drives into the paint because the protection collapses, and finds Derrick White open for 3.

As soon as once more, he additionally confirmed nice instincts on protection by being well-positioned and exhibiting quite a lot of power. On the identical play, he tried to attract a cost, then bought again up, fought for the rebound, and secured the ball.

Currently, he has been the primary participant referred to as outdoors the same old rotation, and it’s simple to know why.

#4 – Punishing Clingan drop protection

Mount Clingan is difficult to climb, however fortunately, the Celtics can do quite a lot of injury from deep. They regarded for tactics to both make the massive man depart the paint or punish his deep positioning with open photographs. Essentially the most primary motion is an easy pick-and-roll to generate an open pull-up three.

The Celtics additionally put the ball in Horford’s arms to tug Clingan away from the rim. Within the play beneath, they first tried a stagger twirl motion—a few off-ball screens with a lower within the center—however this didn’t open something. So, Baylor Scheierman bought right into a two-man motion with Horford to assault Clingan’s lack of mobility. The 2 drives and kicks led by the rookie collapsed the protection and opened one other clear look.

With Horford on the court docket, the Celtics additionally ran quite a lot of pick-and-pop with him. This play is understood to be a drop protection killer.

The final instance — and my favourite — got here late within the second quarter with a sideline motion. The Celtics used Kornet as a connector on a handoff to tug Clingan away from the rim and drive a assist from the nook.

#5 – Nice taking pictures night time from Sam Hauser

The electrical Celtics shooter hit eight triples—a powerful mark that highlights how good he has been these days. Over the past 20 video games, he’s taking pictures over 42% from three, a terrific signal heading into the postseason.

One play stood out to me and showcased what a terrific offensive reader he’s. Within the second half, he executed a Danny Inexperienced lower completely. The Blazers have been mixing particular person and zone defenses. To trick them, Hauser moved their backs from one nook to the opposite, used the ball’s gravity to be forgotten, and punished them for leaving him open.

#6 – Kornet offensive impression

In lower than 20 minutes, the Celtics’ reserve massive man scored 13 factors with out a miss, grabbed three offensive rebounds, and delivered three assists. Whereas Horford was helpful for spacing the ground, Kornet’s capability to attach performs and dominate the glass helped so much. His verticality additionally gives a type of spacing, vertical spacing, we might name it.

Luke Kornet taking part in above everybody is a good reminder that court docket geometry is cubic, not flat. If a participant can’t house the ground horizontally, he can nonetheless be a vertical menace.

#7 – Payton Pritchard particular night time

For the primary time this season, the Celtics’ sixth man was within the beginning 5—prepared to tug the set off near the Oregon faculty the place he made his title within the NCAA. Final time he confronted Portland, Pritchard scored his profession excessive, and he’s normally at his greatest towards this crew.

Nonetheless, the sport didn’t begin as anticipated. As a result of foul bother, he was shortly changed by Baylor Scheierman. The rookie additionally began in his place within the second half, whereas Pritchard returned to the bench. However coming off the bench within the second half put him in his extra pure position, and he bounced again with a terrific efficiency.

Absolutely, his dad and mom have been completely happy about it.

#8 – Al Horford is preparing for the Playoffs

Slowly however certainly, Al Horford is taking part in nearer to the rim late within the season. Because the Playoffs method, the Celtics need to guarantee all their scoring choices are prepared. This recreation felt like most up-to-date ones the place Horford was requested to focus on mismatches and contribute inside.

The visible impression that Horford is taking part in nearer to the rim is backed by the numbers. With 38% of his scoring now coming within the paint, it appears he has adjusted his shot distribution to be nearer to the bucket, diversifying the Celtics’ offense.

#9 – Jayson Tatum and the referees

Regardless of a excessive utilization price and plenty of paint makes an attempt, Jayson Tatum shot solely seven free throws—and it was clear he was pissed off with the referees.

Ought to Tatum get extra calls? With solely 11% of his possessions ending in taking pictures fouls this season, that’s near a profession low. However on the similar time, his rim frequency can be near a profession low. Laborious to get calls on bounce photographs.

#10 – Prepared for Sacramento

No relaxation for the Celtics. Tonight, they’re taking part in the Sacramento Kings—an offense-minded crew that dominated Boston earlier this season. But, issues have modified since then, and the Celtics at the moment are the perfect street crew within the league. Must be a enjoyable one!