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As we enter the season’s ultimate quarter, the Celtics are 43-18, cosy as a bug within the East’s second seed. Boston can’t catch Cleveland, and though they’re solely three video games forward of New York for the second seed, additionally they have a considerably simpler remaining schedule than the Knicks.
However that doesn’t imply the Celtics can afford to relaxation on their respective laurels. The top of the season offers time for each participant to indicate progress; right here’s what they need to work on.
Jayson Tatum — Take it simple
Tatum had a blistering February, averaging 28 factors, 8.4 rebounds, and seven.0 assists on sturdy 47/37/80 capturing splits. Earlier than a tough efficiency in opposition to Denver to kick off March, he’d been taking part in in addition to he had all season.
However I’m not less than somewhat involved in regards to the tick-tocks he’s racked up. Individuals like to poke enjoyable at New York coach Tom Thibodeau for using his starters into the bottom. Properly, Tatum has performed the fifth-most minutes within the NBA this season, behind solely three Knicks (who’ve performed extra video games than Tatum) and Anthony Edwards, who’s the Timberwolves’ sole dependable offensive engine.
That’s not the case with Tatum. Whereas the Celtics are clearly higher when Tatum performs, they nonetheless outscore groups by +7.6 factors per 100 possessions with out him. Give the person a break!
Fortunately, the Celtics’ joke of a schedule will present loads of alternatives to relaxation, together with back-to-backs in opposition to Brooklyn in mid-March and the season’s ultimate two video games in Boston in opposition to the Hornets. I hope Joe Mazzulla takes benefit of the schedule maker’s kindness.
Jaylen Brown — Keep in assault mode
One thing I’ve appreciated about Jaylen Brown’s final two video games: his dedication to assault defenders and draw fouls. He’s tallied 19 free throw makes an attempt within the final two video games, another than in his earlier six video games mixed.
I’ve famous earlier than that Brown’s dunk price had noticeably declined this season, partially as a result of accidents, so watching him swat Zeke Nnaji apart like a seven-foot mosquito was reassuring.
Brown’s averaging a career-high in free throw makes an attempt this season, partly to compensate for his jump-shot struggles to start the season. I used to be somewhat fearful that the latest return of his jumper may trigger him to settle extra usually, however the final two video games have set my thoughts relaxed. Now, we have to see him carry that mentality by the remainder of the season to remain sharp for the playoffs.
Derrick White — Maintain that pleasure
White’s weird midseason slide, which coincided with Boston’s worst stretch of basketball in years, halted on the finish of January after he rediscovered his pleasure.
“You need to undergo that. I’m glad he went by it,” Mazzulla mentioned. “It was essential for his development. It was essential for us to see him battle — as a result of it reveals how a lot we’d like him, and it’s essential for him to battle for that confidence.”
There’s actually no query that the Celtics want him to succeed in their peak — one might argue that he’s the staff’s second-most-important participant. White is blissful as soon as once more, and Boston is rolling. They have to guarantee he stays that method, it doesn’t matter what it takes. Enjoying time, shot makes an attempt, a bowl of solely shamrock-green M&Ms… if White names it, make it occur.
Jrue Vacation — Get used to the splint
Vacation will miss a while with a mallet finger, a small break on the tip of his pinky finger that stops it from straightening and bending usually. This situation doesn’t normally want speedy surgical procedure, however it should require taking part in in a splint for six weeks or extra.
Vacation has already been struggling together with his outdoors stroke, and it’s laborious to think about that including a splint to the combo will enhance it. However he’ll doubtless be sporting it into the playoffs, so he must develop some familiarity together with his unwelcome new good friend.
Kristaps Porzingis — Get wholesome
This can be a little bit of a cop-out reply, however I’m uncertain what else to say in regards to the massive man. He’s been injured, recovering, or sick for what appears like the complete season (has he actually performed 32 video games?).
The Celtics proved their ceiling is mountaintop-high even with out KP final season, however the street to the championship will virtually actually be steeper this yr. Boston wants all arms on deck.
Payton Pritchard — Pressure the difficulty
Pritchard’s insane begin to the season — 10 video games of 15+ factors within the season’s first 13 matches — set expectations excessive, however his moments of incandescence have flickered on and off like a defective lightbulb in latest weeks.
He can nonetheless fill it up, however his massive video games are sandwiched by extra forgettable performances. A part of it’s that Pritchard hasn’t been searching his shot fairly as aggressively. Whereas his capturing percentages stay stellar, his utilization dropped from 18.9 to 16.9 when the calendar flipped (excluding rubbish time). He’s actually not passive, however he hasn’t been fairly as aggressive getting up pictures (partly as a result of defenses have dialed in on him to a higher diploma).
Pritchard is at his greatest when he’s acquired the blood-scent in his nostrils. He must rediscover that killer intuition.
Al Horford — You do you
What do you say a couple of 38-year-old who has constantly raised his sport within the moments that matter most? No matter you’re doing, Al, simply carry on keepin’ on.
Sam Hauser — Tighten up on protection
Hauser’s protection has lengthy been an underrated a part of his sport — he’s not making any All-Defensive Groups, however he’s stronger than just about some other staff’s weakest hyperlink.
This season, that hasn’t been the case. Not like in earlier years, Synergy grades Hauser’s isolation and pick-and-roll protection fairly poorly. For a extra holistic view, the Celtics as a complete defend far worse with Hauser on the court docket than off, the alternative of final season.
There’s extra happening there than simply Hauser — the staff has spent elements of the season going by the motions on protection, and accidents have uncovered some communication points — however he has loads of room to enhance.
Luke Kornet — Demand the ball
Kornet units massive screens, rolls laborious, defends properly, possesses nice arms, finishes sturdy, and makes the additional move. Is it an excessive amount of to count on his teammates to do the latter additionally?
This can be a hyper-specific concern for a participant who has exceeded expectations, however I want teammates would cease trying off Kornet a lot. He’s open below the ring and on the roll a shocking quantity however hardly ever will get rewarded. There’s room for not less than one or two dump-offs extra per sport, significantly when Porzingis misses time.
A part of that’s on Kornet, who appears far too prepared to take a seat again and let others do the laborious work. Make your self a risk, Luke!
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