It’s the defense, stupid

The Celtics might run a number of extra Derrick White-Kristaps Porzingis pick-and-rolls. They shoot too many three-pointers. They don’t take sufficient three-pointers.

After a two-game shedding streak, the knee jerk response can be to criticize the offense. Shedding is a deficit of factors in the long run. Shot-making is usually a fickle factor nevertheless and Joe Mazzulla has been fast to defend his staff on most nights when not sufficient of them go down.

However quietly over the previous couple of months, the Celtics have began tightening the screws on the opposite facet of the ball. Think about even how Boston closed out the highway journey profitable the ultimate three video games in Phoenix, Portland, and Salt Lake Metropolis. In opposition to the Suns and Jazz, each hosts whittled the lead down to 5 or much less forward of the fourth quarter till the Celtics shut them down within the clutch.

After Phoenix reduce Boston’s result in 5 factors with slightly below 4 minutes to go, the Celtics held the Suns scoreless for 4 straight possessions to shut out the sport. Take a look at the defensive rotations and seamless switching above in a must-score spot. It’s not simply the gamers both. Flip up the sound and you’ll hear Sam Cassell calling from the sideline for Brown to pre-rotate over to Kevin Durant after he loses Derrick White on a collection of baseline screens.

In opposition to Utah on Tuesday night time, Boston rode a 20-0 spanning from the top of the third to halfway of the fourth quarter to close down the Jazz’s exercise on the offensive glass; after grabbing seven offensive rebounds for eight factors by way of three quarters, Utah had simply two within the fourth with a rubbish time putback.

That’s the way it’s been trending for some time now. After letting go of the rope in December (114.6 defensive ranking) and January (112), the Celtics closed out February permitting simply 108.9 factors per 100 possessions with a 10-1 file. Up to now in March, that’s tightened up even additional to 108.3.

And for what it’s value, the offense has been positive:

Nonetheless, Mazzulla has constantly made protection the main focus of this highway journey. Even when the members of the Keep Prepared group have had season-best offensive outputs out west, Mazzulla has been fast to go with their protection of their complementary roles.

“They have been wonderful. They have been super,” Mazzulla mentioned after setting the Suns in a nationally televised sport Saturday night time. “I believed Payton modified the sport defensively. Him and Sam are each offensive guys, but it surely’s been their protection that’s actually helped up this yr and Luke’s skill to play towards the second unit in switching actually gave us an important look…that unit has been nice for us all yr, however tonight, they have been large time.”

And that’s simply the second unit. This week, we’ve heard particular person reward on a few of Boston’s top-6. Right here’s the Clippers’ Paul George on his hardest defender:

“Hardest participant to attain on? Most likely Jrue [Holiday],” George mentioned on his PodcastP podcast. “Jrue received locks. He’s robust as $#*%. He’s fast. And he likes to play protection. That’s the worst trait you’ll be able to go up towards — they only like to play protection.”

George continued, “he has anticipation. He has instincts. He is aware of your tendencies. He’s cerebral. He’s a cerebral defender.”

And right here’s ESPN’s JJ Redick on his Outdated Man & The Three pod about Jaylen Brown:

“The opposite man that’s had an important defensive season that has flown below the radar is Jaylen Brown. Jaylen Brown has had a extremely good defensive season,” Redick mentioned. “He’s been good in ISOs, he’s been good defending the submit when he’s switched on to larger defenders, he’s been good on the superior stuff on contesting photographs. Actually strong defensive yr for Jaylen Brown.”

For the yr, the Celtics are nonetheless ranked second in defensive effectivity, fifth in defensive rebounding fee, and second in blocks. They’re shocking twenty ninth in steals, however they make up for that with their bend-don’t-break protection that is also second in opponent’s 3FG%, second in opponent’s free throw makes an attempt, and fourth in opponent’s quick break factors.

So whereas their historic offense grabs the headlines and infrequently occasions, warranted criticism, If the previous adage is true that offense wins video games, however protection wins championships, then Boston’s D has set the ground of their contending standing.