CelticsBlog - All PostsA Boston Celtics Blog: 17 Banners and Countinghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48431/celtic-small-1.png2024-03-19T07:09:50-04:00http://www.celticsblog.com/rss/current/2024-03-19T07:09:50-04:002024-03-19T07:09:50-04:00Keep on rollin: 10 takeaways from Celtics/Pistons
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<figcaption>Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The short-handed Boston Celtics handled their business against the Detroit Pistons</p> <h3 id="IrBhbk"><strong>#1 Derrick White’s triple-double</strong></h3>
<p id="yFTGQs">After three full days of rest, Derrick White looked fantastic. With Jrue Holiday ruled out of the game, he operated as the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a> primary point guard against the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a>. As we’ve come to expect from White, he controlled the game on both sides of the floor and was a viable shot-creator for his teammates. </p>
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<p id="woN7tG">White is great at finding little pockets within angles. The above transition play is a good example, as he spots Payton Pritchard’s cut toward the basket, waits until there’s some daylight between the two defenders and threads a quick pass through the gap. The angle allows Pritchard to turn on the jets and get to the cup. </p>
<p id="ju4OWU">Interestingly, White took 20 shots against Detroit, matching the offensive output of Brown, as the two combined for almost half of the Celtics attempts. Kristaps Porzingis had 14 shot attempts, too. His perimeter game should be praised when looking at White’s offensive output. He hit six of his 12 3-point jumpers, some from the dribble, others off the catch.</p>
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<p id="zPAI2X">I liked White's above bucket for two reasons. First, it displayed some of the value Xavier Tillman can bring with his passing out of the post. Second, White was operating as a movement shooter, and that skill was needed due to Sam Hauser’s absence due to injury. </p>
<h3 id="l0V5SI"><strong>#2 Svi takes over for Hauser</strong></h3>
<p id="4YabGB">Speaking of Hauser, Svi Mykhailiuk saw a big increase in his minutes as Joe Mazzulla sought to keep a movement shooter in the rotation and looked for ways to maximize Boston’s five-out spacing without multiple rotation members being available. </p>
<p id="0g2zWX">Before the game, Monty Williams had an interesting quote: He credited Hauser with some of Boston’s success this season.</p>
<p id="id__3g1avrgrfrr">“He’s shot the ball well all year long,” Williams said, as reported by <a href="https://twitter.com/JackSimoneNBA/status/1769848822350373175">CelticsBlog’s Jack Simone.</a> “I don’t know if you guys have been watching that, but we have. He’s just a really good shooter. He’s a guy who was on our scouting report the last time we played them. I think he’s a key to their success... He can get it off quickly. He’s got great size... We just know he can shoot the ball. And he’s tough. He guards the ball. he switches. And he seems to fit this system well.”</p>
<p id="fnd7rB">Svi filled in for Hauser fairly well. His movement was solid, he navigated screens well, and he put up a fight on the defensive end. Essentially, that’s all you can ask from a deep role player who’s only seen the court 28 times this season.</p>
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<p id="6ZkhqZ">Nevertheless, a 2-of-8 showing isn’t what Svi would have been hoping for. Still, he kept shooting to keep the defense honest and would undoubtedly have better nights if given the opportunity. He did well to slot into the rotation despite not really being in a game rhtyhm. </p>
<h3 id="QumP13"><strong>#3 Kornet and Porzingis double-big</strong></h3>
<p id="NZdlBK">With Al Horford and Jayson Tatum out, Mazzulla opted to run with a Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet double big lineup. On paper, that’s a questionable move. Porzingis would need to defend the perimeter, and Kornet’s lack of perimeter shooting would hurt the spacing (more on this in a moment). However, it worked well. </p>
<p id="BSPiHu">On defense, Kornet assumed the role of the drop defender. At the same time, Porzingis took over for Tatum as the helper, digging in on drives and rotating over to provide additional rim protection. At times, Porzingis and Kornet would swap roles, too, especially if the defense was in rotation when guarding screening actions.</p>
<p id="b96qp8">When operating on the other side of the floor, Kornet was a type of designated screener, while Porzingis used his floor spacing and three-point shooting as his biggest abilities. </p>
<h3 id="lrm3xt"><strong>#4 Kornet’s perimeter game</strong></h3>
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<p id="3Dqlvc">The above clip shows the value of having Luke Kornet operating on the perimeter. He’s an adept screener who has proven capable of creating action with his movements. As you can see above, Kornet sets a drag screen for Pritchard before veering to set an on-ball screen for Derrick White. His roll then engaged Porzingis’ defender, who had to tag, leaving Porzingis wide open for the 3-point shot.</p>
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<p id="EI4dWK">In this clip, Kornet is operating in the “delay.” He then flows into a horn pick-and-roll before slipping the screen and receiving the lob pass. For a non-shooting big, Kornet has emerged as a genuine playmaking hub within Boston’s five-out offense, both as a hand-off initiator and a screen creator. </p>
<h3 id="IZ6eTv"><strong>#5 Brissett needs to improve his finishing</strong></h3>
<p id="3ePRC7">I’ve said a lot about Oshae Brissett’s energy and the defensive impact he can make. I’ve also mentioned how that impact often outweighs his offensive limitations. However, he does need to improve his finishing. He went 1-of-7 against the Pistons, with five of those shots coming inside the paint. </p>
<p id="cdUTTd">If Brissett wants to continue earning minutes and putting himself in a position to be considered for spot appearances during the postseason, he needs to prove that he can be relied upon when putting himself in scoring positions. Right now, he projects to be very one-dimensional, which could hurt him once the postseason is underway. </p>
<h3 id="6Jom25"><strong>#6 Another strong Jaylen Brown performance</strong></h3>
<p id="sQjqxQ">Brown sat out Sunday's game against the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com">Washington Wizards</a>. However, he was back in the rotation to face Detroit and was clearly tasked with being the primary offensive option. Still, Brown was his usual self. He pressured the rim, attacked via cuts, and hit his perimeter jumpers. </p>
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<p id="udgsw8">What I enjoy most about watching Brown on the court is seeing him embrace contact and finish through the defense. He’s been exceptional when asserting himself around the rim this season, and that didn’t change against the Pistons. The above clip shows Brown attacking multiple defenders off the dribble, absorbing the contact, and still getting his shot attempt to fall.</p>
<p id="wpV0HJ">He’s also taken that willingness to play through contact into his efforts on the glass. He’s become a reliable rebounder, averaging 5.6 boards per game (which is his lowest average in the past five seasons) on a team full of rebounding talent. Still, he pulled down seven boards against Detroit as he looked to create offense via rip-and-run scenarios. </p>
<p id="44mz1u">In a game where Brown needed to step up as the primary scorer, he rose to the challenge yet did so in a way that allowed the offense to continue ticking. Brown has made a significant leap this season, and it’s evident regardless of what role he’s playing—as the Pistons found out. </p>
<h3 id="bgSKKk"><strong>#7 A beautiful transition play</strong></h3>
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<p id="DLymHT">I wanted to make sure I included this play in today’s takeaways. It’s nothing special. It’s just a good example of how this Celtics team has remained connected regardless of who is or isn’t in the rotation. The ball movement and selflessness on this possession stood out to me, making me feel like it was a good possession to share.</p>
<h3 id="j4DhhY"><strong>#8 Piecing sets together </strong></h3>
<p id="TDhDGt">Talking of wanting to share a possession with you all, one action during the game caught my eye. It’s not that the action was new or spectacular. Yet, it was a solid example of why it makes sense to piece actions together to generate a good-quality shot. </p>
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<p id="TQHUt7">In the above clip, the Celtics go to a “Ram” action, which is a down screen where the screen receiver sets a step-up screen. Kornet ghosts the second screen, making the action a “ram ghost.” From there, he receives the ball around the elbow extended and flows into an elbow DHO with Brown.</p>
<p id="kKxfQ1">Brown then curls with the ball and looks to set up a lob pass. The action ends up coming to nothing. However, it’s the process that stood out to me. If we see the Celtics stringing motion offense together like this consistently, they will be incredibly difficult to stifle throughout a seven-game series. </p>
<h3 id="MQbDfk"><strong>#9 Springer looks like fun</strong></h3>
<p id="gunUt4">The more I watch Jaden Springer, the more I feel like he will be a fan favorite within the next 18 months — assuming he gets enough playing time to do so. He hustles on the defense end, takes pride in fighting through screens, and isn’t afraid to throw himself on the floor in pursuit of a loose ball.</p>
<p id="KpfjmU">Similarly to Brissett, Springer needs to improve his shooting and finishing. However, on a roster as talented as Bostons, with a coaching staff that’s full of experience, there’s no reason why he can’t take a jump during the offseason. For now, it’s fun seeing him getting the opportunities on the floor and seeing where he can grow and why he came so highly recommended at the trade deadline. </p>
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<p id="BEad57">I’ll leave you with this nice second chance bucket. </p>
<h3 id="ORltqS"><strong>#10 A tougher test awaits</strong></h3>
<p id="Qo8o3F">The <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com">Milwaukee Bucks</a> are up next for the Boston Celtics. After a couple of games against some of the Eastern Conference’s struggles, Mazzulla’s team will need to raise their game. In terms of seeding, this game is far more important to Milwaukee than it is to Boston. However, considering how their last meeting went and the fact that both teams are considered potential contenders, there is a lot of pride at stake. </p>
<p id="n9i20g">No matter what happens during the game, I won’t be reading too deeply into it. However, the Celtics should definitely be looking to make a statement. There’s value in getting the mental victory. And there’s value in keeping the media off your back, too. Hopefully, the Celtics will be back to full strength for this game, and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be cleared to play. The best way to prepare for the postseason is to play the best teams at full strength. This game will be a highlight of Boston’s stretch run. I’m excited. </p>
<p id="E9o0Si">Catch you all on Thursday morning. </p>
https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/3/19/24105605/keep-on-rollin-10-takeaways-from-boston-celtics-detroit-pistons-jaylen-brown-derrick-white-nbaAdam Taylor2024-03-18T21:40:15-04:002024-03-18T21:40:15-04:00Derrick White’s first career triple-double powers Celtics past Pistons, 119-94
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<figcaption>Derrick White powered the Celtics to a resounding win over the Pistons on Monday. | David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jaylen Brown added 31 and 7 as the surging Celtics notched their sixth straight win.</p> <p id="vnklSa">For the vast majority of NBA teams, playing without four catalysts would be a major cause for concern. </p>
<p id="P3iOjF">For the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics</a>, it was business as usual Monday night with Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Sam Hauser sidelined.</p>
<p id="ll1fJd">They still had Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, which never hurts. They were also playing the Pistons, which made life a smidgen easier.</p>
<p id="W7FcW6">Brown racked up 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, and White added 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double, fueling Boston to a 119-94 triumph at TD Garden. The <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics</a> (54-14) built a 59-46 halftime edge and pulled away from the Pistons (12-56) to extend their lead over the Bucks to a whopping 10 games with 14 remaining.</p>
<p id="1HzXbV">Payton Pritchard, White, Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet got the start. Porzingis racked up 8 points and 5 rebounds early before sitting out the rest of the half as he eases his way back.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That's 5 threes for Derrick White in the first half <a href="https://t.co/ZsQWreHp3k">pic.twitter.com/ZsQWreHp3k</a></p>— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1769882706953879813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a>
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<p id="HJuhT4">Kornet protected the rim, Pritchard (23 points, 7 assists)<strong> </strong>attacked the basket and Brown showed off his left hand inside, helping the Celtics build a 31-28 edge through 1. Boston shot 50 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3, but Detroit stayed afloat behind Malachi Flynn and Jaden Ivey<strong> </strong>(21 points on the night).</p>
<p id="ynjoU9">White continued to spray the ball around the perimeter and bury shots himself, finishing a masterful half with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists (plus-17). He took it upon himself to play aggressively with Tatum and Holiday out. </p>
<p id="cE1o06">Brown provided a cool 17 before the break and got just about wherever he wanted. Jaden Springer added a tough bucket late with a hand in his face after a hustle rebound and swatted a shot at the other end to punctuate a strong half.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jaden Springer Tommy point! <a href="https://t.co/rDyCzPlHh6">pic.twitter.com/rDyCzPlHh6</a></p>— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1769884872242352475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a>
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<p id="aReA9F">Xavier Tillman continued to show his versatility defensively, staying in front of guards and bodying bigs at the rim. The Celtics took a 59-46 cushion into halftime with momentum on their side, thanks to a total team effort and a strong defensive second quarter.</p>
<p id="BHF7gm">Brown and Porzingis (20 points, 8 rebounds) continued to cook early in the third, then back-to-back dimes from Pritchard – the first behind his back to Tillman, and the second to Svi Mykhailiuk for 3 – helped the Celtics extend the margin to 92-66 through three.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">There it is. First career triple-double for Derrick White. 22, 10 and 10.<br><br>Payton Pritchard wouldn’t let his guy go home without one. Nothing but net <a href="https://twitter.com/celticsblog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@celticsblog</a> <a href="https://t.co/S2DnZFTzO2">pic.twitter.com/S2DnZFTzO2</a></p>— Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrevorHass/status/1769897448787280012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a>
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<p id="N87cMO">With White inching closer to the triple-double, the Celtics made a conscious effort to shoot when he passed them the ball. Eventually, White found Pritchard, who buried a 3 to take White and the Celtics to the promised land.</p>
<p id="Hbaq4n">Boston has won six straight and welcomes the Bucks to town Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.</p>
https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/3/18/24105401/boston-celtics-detroit-pistons-119-94derrick-white-triple-double-jaylen-brown-payton-pritchard-recapTrevor Hass2024-03-18T16:30:00-04:002024-03-18T16:30:00-04:00Detroit Pistons (12-55) at Boston Celtics (53-14) Game #68 3/18/24
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<figcaption>Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Celtics look to win their 6th straight game as they host the Detroit Pistons. </p> <div class="c-float-right"><div id="n86Cgn"><div data-anthem-component="aside:12282181"></div></div></div>
<p id="IbbTJU">The <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics</a> go from the team with the worst record in the league to the team with the second worst record as they host the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a>. This is the 2nd of 3 games between these two teams this season. The Celtics won the first game 128-122 in overtime on December 28. They will meet again at Detroit on March 22. The Celtics won the series 4-0 last season. </p>
<p id="eUrWBl">Both of these teams are playing on the second night of back to back games. The Celtics won 130-104 at Washington on Sunday while the Pistons lost104-101 at home to the Miami Heat. The Celtics are 9-2 on the second night of back to back games and 5-0 when the second game is at home. The Pistons are 3-7 on the second night of back to back games. The Celtics are 251-140 overall all time against the Pistons and they are 123-46 all time at home. </p>
<p id="B9TFlG">The Celtics remain 1st in the East, 9.5 games ahead of 2nd place Milwaukee, 11 games ahead of 3rd place Cleveland, 13 games ahead of 4th place New York, 14 games ahead of 5th place Orlando, and 15.5 games ahead of 6th place Indiana. They are 30-3 at home and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are 34-7 against Eastern Conference teams and have won their last 5 games. </p>
<p id="a54TM7">The Pistons are 14th in the East, 1.5 games ahead of last place Washington. They are 4.5 games behind 13th place Charlotte, 11 games behind 12th place Toronto, and 17.5 games behind 10th place Atlanta and the final play-in spot. They are 5-27 on the road and 4-6 in their last 10 games. They are 9-33 against Eastern Conference teams and they have lost their last 2 games. </p>
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<p id="mgghrh">After a 3-2 road trip, the Celtics played one game at home against the Suns and then went on the road for a game in Washington before returning home to face Detroit. They will face Milwaukee at home and then head out on a 6 game road trip through Detroit, Chicago, 2 games in Atlanta, New Orleans and Charlotte. They will return home for 3 games against Oklahoma City, Sacramento, and Portland. Then it’s one game in Milwaukee before finishing the season at home against New York, Charlotte and Washington. </p>
<p id="JjViM2">The Pistons just finished a 6 game home stand where they beat Brooklyn, Charlotte and Toronto and lost to Miami twice and Dallas. After this one road game, they will play Indiana, Boston and New Orleans at home. Next they play at New York, Minnesota, and Washington before playing Mamphis at home. They will play 6 of their last 7 games on the road. </p>
<p id="D7Ukp5">It’s hard to predict who will play and who will sit in this one. Al Horford is out for rest. Jrue Holiday is out due to a shoulder injury. Kristaps Porzingis has missed 5 straight games with a strained hamstring and he has been upgraded to probable for this game. Derrick White and Jaylen Brown missed Sunday’s game and I would guess that they both return for this game. However, Brown is listed as questionable with ankle soreness. </p>
<p id="t3P9LJ"> Tatum is also listed as questionable with an ankle impingement. Sam Hauser left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and is out for this game. I’m guessing that Derrick White will move to point guard with Jrue out and Oshae Brissett will start at shooting guard. However, Payton Pritchard may get the start at the point with White remaining at shooting guard. Those decisions will be made closer to game time. </p>
<p id="ZnGSbv">For the Pistons, Quentin Grimes has been limited to three appearances in March due to right knee soreness and is out for this game. Ausar Thompson has missed 4 straight games with in illness and is also out for this game. Cade Cunningham was questionable for Sunday’s game with knee soreness but he ended up playing and is once again questionable for this game. Simone Fontecchio is questionable with a toe injury. I’m not sure who would start if either or both are out. </p>
<p id="Cqx5eZ"><strong>Probable Celtics Starters</strong></p>
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<p id="vRi9z0">PG: Derrick White<br>SG: Oshae Brissett<br>SF: Jaylen Brown<br>PF: Jayson Tatum <br>C: Kristaps Porzingis </p>
<p id="MiqdvG"><strong>Celtics Reserves</strong><br>Luke Kornet<br>Svi Mykhailiuk<br>Payton Pritchard<br>Jordan Walsh<br>Xavier Tillman<br>Jaden Springer</p>
<p id="LNl0jH"><strong>2 Way Players</strong><br>JD Davison<br>Drew Peterson<br>Neemias Queta</p>
<p id="sGOlao"><strong>Injuries/Out</strong><br>Jrue Holiday (shoulder) out<br>Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) probable<br>Jaylen Brown (ankle) questionable<br>Sam Hauser (ankle) out<br>Al Horford (rest) out <br>Jayson Tatum (ankle) questionable</p>
<p id="Bx1Vtl"><strong>Head Coach</strong><br>Joe Mazzulla</p>
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<p id="nvEHqX">PG: Cade Cunningham<br>SG: Jaden Ivey<br>SF: Simone Fontecchio<br>PF: Isaiah Stewart<br>C: Jalen Duren</p>
<p id="6vMOf7"><strong>Pistons Reserves </strong><br>Troy Brown, Jr<br>Malachi Flynn<br>Evan Fournier<br>Taj Gibson<br>Marcus Sasser<br>Stanley Umude <br>James Wiseman</p>
<p id="ZdNlYY"><strong>Two Way Players </strong><br>Buddy Boeheim<br>Jared Rhoden<br>Tosan Evbuomwan</p>
<p id="xCALyU"><strong>Injuries/Out</strong><br>Ausar Thompson (illness) out<br>Quentin Grimes (knee) out <br>Simone Fontecchio (toe) questionable<br>Cade Cunningham (knee) questionable</p>
<p id="aLidiC"><strong>Head Coach </strong><br>Monty Williams </p>
<p id="QvgMhN"><strong>Key Matchups</strong></p>
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<p id="6qC8We">Jrue Holiday vs Cade Cunningham<br>Cunningham is averaging 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. He is shooting 45% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics, Cunningham finished with 31 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks while shooting 54.5% from the field and 66.7% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to defend him better in this game. </p>
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<p id="VzronD"><strong>Derrick White vs Jaden Ivey</strong><br>Ivey is averaging 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He is shooting 43.4% from the field and 32.9% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics, Ivey finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block while shooting 53.3% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. As with Cunningham, the Celtics need to do a better job of defending him in this game. </p>
<p id="9uiGzp"><strong>Honorable Mention</strong><br><strong>Kristaps Porzingis vs Jalen Duren</strong><br>Duren is averaging 14.1 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He is shooting 63.7% from the field and is not a threat to shoot from 3. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds and 2 assists while shooting 83.3% from the field. The Celtics need to defend him better in this game and also keep him off the boards. </p>
<p id="qRvCLk"><strong>Keys to the Game </strong><br><strong>Defense</strong> - Defense will always be key to winning every game. The Celtics are 2nd in the league with a 110.4 defensive rating while the Pistons are 27th with a defensive rating of 118.5. The Pistons are 22nd in the league, averaging 112.1 points per game. They have a 111.5 defensive rating for March (7th) and they are coming off a game in which they lost by just 4 points to the Heat. It took overtime for the Celtics to beat them at home in their first meeting. The Celtics have to come into this game with the mindset that they need to play tough defense and not underestimate the Pistons, who have a lot of young and hungry players. </p>
<p id="7JADmK"><strong>Rebound</strong> - Rebounding is important to give the Celtics extra possessions and to limit possessions for their opponents. The Celtics are averaging 46.9 rebounds per game (2nd) while the Pistons are averaging 44 rebounds (12th). Over their last 5 games, the Pistons have 78 more rebounds their opponents. In their first meeting, the Pistons out-rebounded the Celtics 57-43 and the Celtics have to do better in this game. Rebounding takes effort and the Celtics need to give extra effort to beat the Pistons to rebounds. When they show extra effort on the boards, it often shows up in other areas of the game as well.</p>
<p id="zxC5lu"><strong>Be Aggressive</strong> - The Celtics can’t come into the game expecting an easy game and to be able to take it easy on both ends of the court because the Pistons are at the bottom of the league. They have to come in and be aggressive on defense, on taking the ball to the basket, on diving for loose balls, on rebounding and on playing as a team. If they allow the Pistons to play harder than them they may just be surprised with a loss. They can’t underestimate the Pistons and have to play hard and give it their all for 48 minutes. </p>
<p id="IwDmGB"><strong>Reserve Play</strong> - Both teams are playing on the second night of back to back games. the Pistons game went down to the wire while the Celtics game was pretty much over at the half. Both teams will be depending on their reserves to get through this game. The Celtics may be short handed and that would put even more pressure on the reserves to perform well. </p>
<p id="EZVGuN"><strong>X-Factors </strong><br><strong>Back to Back at Home </strong> - The Celtics are back at home and they need come out ready to protect home court. Young teams often struggle on the road and hopefully the Garden will be loud and will be able to distract the young Pistons team who also have to face the distractions of travel. The Celtics will possibly be short handed and so every player has to step up their game, even against the team at the bottom of the East. Too often we have seen the Celtics relax and let up and lose to teams they should absolutely beat. </p>
<p id="kaeUGt"><strong>Officiating</strong> - Officiating is always an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play. Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly. The Celtics have to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game and not allow the no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game. </p>
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https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/3/18/24104484/detroit-pistons-12-55-at-boston-celtics-53-14-game-68-3-18-24flceltsfan2024-03-18T15:23:56-04:002024-03-18T15:23:56-04:00Holiday, Horford, Hauser, Davison out vs. Pistons
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<figcaption>Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>The Celtics will be shorthanded vs. Detroit tonight.</em></p> <p id="ni1A3k">The <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/bos/boston-celtics">Boston Celtics </a>are in full “Hospital <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics</a>” mode for their matchup this evening with the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a>.</p>
<p id="JxOyKR">The Celtics will be missing key players, including Jrue Holiday, Sam Hauser, Al Horford, and JD Davison. Additionally, wingman <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3917376/jaylen-brown">Jaylen Brown</a>, is questionable to suit up with an ankle sprain, and missed last night’s contest against Washington. Jayson Tatum, who finished with 30 points in 27 minutes last night, is questionable with a right ankle impingement. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEBHInjuryReport?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEBHInjuryReport</a> for tonight vs. DET (1/2):<br><br>Jaylen Brown (right ankle sprain) - QUESTIONABLE<br>JD Davison (illness, non-Covid) - OUT<br>Sam Hauser (left ankle sprain) - OUT<br>Jrue Holiday (right shoulder contusion) - OUT<br>Al Horford (left big toe sprain) - OUT</p>— Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1769766526968586599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="HioSz1">Although there’s a lengthy injury report, there’s optimism on the horizon. Center Kristaps Porzingis is likely to return tonight after missing the last five games due to a hamstring injury. </p>
<p id="APdECl"><a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4065804/sam-hauser">Hauser</a>, on the verge of making history Sunday, finished with a career-high 30 points, on 10-13 three-point shooting. Unfortunately his career night was cut short. He left limping to the locker room in the third quarter after awkwardly landing on his ankle. Luckily the Wisconsin native avoided a catastrophic injury, and according to The Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, his x-rays were negative. </p>
<p id="MFQtRw">C’s center <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3213/al-horford">Horford </a>will not suit up as expected, given Boston is on a back-to-back. Filling in nicely for Kristaps Porzingis, the Dominican native’s averaged 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, on 42.1 percent from long rang over the last ten games. </p>
<p id="jwjWDO">For the backcourt,<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3995/jrue-holiday"> Holiday</a> will be sidelined tonight with a right shoulder contusion. Averaging 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.9 in 61 games for Boston, Holiday logged just 22 minutes last night against Washington. </p>
<p id="yJxdZN">Two-way guard <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4576085/jd-davison">Davison</a>, who’s appeared in five regular season games, is listed as out with an illness. </p>
<p id="lRsJD6">Short handed for the second consecutive game, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are expected to control the backcourt tonight. With Horford out of the lineup, expect Luke Kornet to receive solid playing time tonight.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">(2/2):<br><br>Kristaps Porzingis (right hamstring strain) - PROBABLE<br>Jayson Tatum (right ankle impingement) - QUESTIONABLE</p>— Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1769766528788963632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="K9gV5B">With Porzingis unable to lace up, Kornet’s taken advantage of playing time. Coming off a 14 point, two block, and six rebound performance last night, he’s had three points double-figures within the last five games. </p>
<p id="vLdNb9">In addition to Kornet, expect Xavier Tillman and Oshae Brissett to earn significant minutes. In fact, Brissett earned the starting nod Monday, adding seven points, four rebounds, and two assists in 29 minutes. Perhaps it’s a colossal game incoming for rookie <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4683689/jordan-walsh">Jordan Walsh.</a> </p>
<p id="CMfdq1">The Celtics lead the league with a 53-14 record, and head coach Joe Mazzulla has succeeded in getting full commitment from every player. Although the entire bench is extremely thin tonight, the C’s are not letting off the gas, especially on second leg of a back to back. Either way, it will give Mazzulla a chance to develop even further chemistry with the second unit. Boston looks to improve to 31-3 at the TD Garden. </p>
<p id="biKrGZ"><em>Tonight the Celtics host the Pistons, with tip-off set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.</em></p>
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https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/3/18/24105037/jrue-holiday-al-horford-sam-hauser-jd-davison-out-boston-celtics-vs-detroit-pistonsSara Jane Gamelli2024-03-18T14:00:00-04:002024-03-18T14:00:00-04:00NBA bracket watch: An early look at playoff seeds and matchups
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<img alt="Philadelphia 76ers v Milwaukee Bucks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5UWhngG9fWscOjKHxTJU9tFOVVY=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215763/2088916472.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>An early look at potential matchups through the Eastern Conference playoffs</p> <p id="KF90FR">The playoffs are still a month away and there’s a lot left to be decided in the seedings. However, there are some pieces of the puzzle that are already settling into their spaces.</p>
<p id="7fZCjJ">For one thing it appears a foregone conclusion that the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics</a> will have the number one seed wrapped up sooner than later. They are the first team to clinch a playoff spot and have just a 7 game magic number to clinch the top overall seed. </p>
<p id="CWoois">The Bucks and Cavs are the closest in the East at 9.5 and 11 games behind respectively (as of Sunday after the Wizards game). Then things get pretty jumbled together with the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a>, Magic, Pacers, Heat, and <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Sixers</a> all within 3 games of each other. Two of those teams will likely have to be in the play-in tournament, where they will most likely be joined by the Bulls and Hawks (barring a run by the Nets).</p>
<p id="vLGi19">So I thought I’d take an early look at what all of this means for the playoff seedings and matchups.</p>
<p id="5dMOhy"><strong>Celtics potential 1st round matchups: (Play-in teams)</strong></p>
<p id="tTgapu">Right now the Pacers are in the 6th seed by half a game, but that could change. Behind them are the Heat and Sixers. I don’t really see any of those teams having a hard time beating out the Bulls or Hawks but anything can happen in a one or two game format. The Bulls in particular have some veterans that will play hard, if nothing else.</p>
<p id="kPWhJs">Clearly the Joel Embiid injury has a huge impact on where the Sixers will be a month from now. If he’s back and looking like 90% of his MVP level self, that would be a less than ideal first round opponent.</p>
<p id="e8dASO">Then there’s our old friends the Miami Heat. On one hand, we could exorcise those daemons right away. On the other hand, ...(waves hand vaguely at everything in our recent history).</p>
<p id="3wMtkA">Moving on, the only other opponent that I think could be a challenging first round opponent is the Pacers. Haliburton hasn’t been the same since his injury, but if he gets back to where he was early in the season, they could be dangerous. In particular with new addition Pascal Siakam.</p>
<p id="mDjRpj"><strong>What teams could we face in the 2nd round?</strong></p>
<p id="GizP9Q">Assuming the Celtics make it past their first round opponent (they better) the next opponent would be the winner of the 4-5 series. Right now that’s looking like the Knicks vs. the Magic.</p>
<p id="lC3722">Assuming they are at full speed by the playoffs, the Knicks are the matchup that gives me the most pause. They have a shifty, dynamic scoring guard, a tough-minded, well coached defense, and O.G. to make life difficult for Tatum. I like our chances against anyone, but New York could be a headache in the playoffs.</p>
<p id="QLqXUA">The Magic have some talent, but they still seem a year or two away from being a real threat in the playoffs.</p>
<p id="yRNC6y"><strong>Power Poll Threat Index (Jeff’s opinion)</strong></p>
<ol>
<li id="XuUOPh">Knicks - See above.</li>
<li id="UxDvu4">Bucks - This ranking is purely respect for Giannis and Dame. They’ve been out of sorts all season long and I think they’ll stumble in the playoffs... unless Giannis goes off and Dame steps it up a level.</li>
<li id="XKd1Zf">Cavs - Similar to the Knicks, they have dynamic scorers and defensive length. They’re still a little too inconsistent but they could be dangerous in a 7 game series if they get hot.</li>
<li id="sh3cyG">Heat - Speaking of getting hot in a playoff series. Let’s just move on.</li>
<li id="tsJsuX">Pacers - If Haliburton is back to 100% by the playoffs then they could move right up this list.</li>
<li id="t7gY9X">Magic - Banchero is a problem (as the kids say) but this team is still a bit young.</li>
<li id="xXWYbi">Sixers - This ranking reflects my skepticism that Embiid will be back for the playoffs. If he comes back sooner, they will rocket up this list.</li>
<li id="XRMKZg">Bulls - Tough, veterans, just ultimately not good enough.</li>
<li id="VUgC4f">Hawks - No defense, no chance.</li>
</ol>
https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/3/18/24103326/nba-bracket-watch-an-early-look-at-playoff-seeds-and-matchups-boston-celticsJeff Clark2024-03-18T12:00:00-04:002024-03-18T12:00:00-04:00Another home win for the Celtics – this time in Washington DC
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<figcaption>Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em>Jayson Tatum refused to sit, Sam Hauser nearly broke a franchise-record for threes, and the Celtics continued their dominance in a 130-104 rout of the Wizards. </em> </p> <p id="i7XRyO">The arena was filled with so much Celtic green you might have thought you were at TD Garden. But, it was the streets of downtown Washington DC that were flooded with fans donning Tatum and Brown jerseys, hours before the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics</a>-Wizards Sunday evening match-up even tipped off. When the doors finally opened, a sea of Celtics fans inundated Capital One Arena, crowding around the players’ tunnel in hopes of getting an autograph, a wave, or any sort of acknowledgement from one of the stars. </p>
<p id="LIayfO">The lack of Wizards fans became even more noticeable when starting lineups were introduced, and the crowd rose to its feet for the Celtics’ introductions, but stayed quiet for the Wizards. That set the tone for the rest of the night; when the Celtics scored, the place erupted, reminiscent of how it would in Boston, just without the support of the in-arena sound effects. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is a home game for the Celtics lol<br><br>Loud cheers when Boston starters are introduce, and complete silence when the Wizards are <a href="https://t.co/XxrsH9BaPQ">pic.twitter.com/XxrsH9BaPQ</a></p>— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1769486599891357815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="MnrL1U">“It’s becoming the norm in a lot of places we go,” Tatum said of the widespread support from the fans. “You really appreciate the fans — how well we travel, the love and support that they show us, everywhere we go.”</p>
<p id="By3FTq">All night long, the in-arena hosts tried to rally the crowd to cheer for the home team, but without much luck. The Wizards fell behind by double-digits early on, trailing by as many as 36, and ultimately fell 130-104 to the red-hot Celtics. </p>
<p id="uTz5YY">The Celtics came out swinging and never looked back, led by Jayson Tatum, who finished with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in three quarters. Payton Pritchard added 12 points and a career-high 13 assists off the bench, and Luke Kornet and Al Horford each added 14. </p>
<p id="wcfZVP">Sam Hauser, who hit a career-best 10 of 13 threes, was on pace to break the franchise record of 11 threes before spraining his ankle midway through the third quarter. When he exited, he did so to a passionate ovation from a Capital One Arena Crowd that was in awe of his shooting performance. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sam Hauser heads to the tunnel to enormous applause at Capital One Arena. <br><br>Seems to be hurt, but not sure what happened <a href="https://t.co/lzpb2ykVJG">pic.twitter.com/lzpb2ykVJG</a></p>— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1769507986119012412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="kRXhQx">Demond McFarland was one of the hundreds of Celtics fans who showed up early to watch the Celtics secure a 5th-straight win and improve their record to a league-best 53-14. A fan since 1984, McFarland made the trip to DC all the way from Rochester, New York. </p>
<p id="j0oiW8">McFarland said he’s liked what he’s seen from the Celtics, who hold a league-best 53-14 record this season: “I see a hunger in them this year that I haven’t seen in the past years, like that. To me, it seems like they hear the outside noise, and it’s fueling them.” </p>
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<figcaption>Demond McFarland said it oftentimes feels like a home game for the Celtics in Capital One Arena. </figcaption>
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<p id="M4HZnI">Like McFarland, 24-year-old Ryan Osborne traveled to DC to support the Celtics. McFarland had a shorter commute – he resides in Richmond, Virginia – but he’s made the trip to DC for this game for ten consecutive years. </p>
<p id="aUmQcm">“It’s my favorite,” Osborne said. “Every single time, it’s a sea of green, as you can see today. We pack it up, it’s not just because it’s St. Patrick’s Day. We usually take over this arena, it’s the best part of this.” </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Let’s Go Celtics” chants turn into applause as Payton Pritchard hits a three <a href="https://t.co/bbBSufJPRX">pic.twitter.com/bbBSufJPRX</a></p>— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1769491283049939279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="2rNpCR">Joe Mazzulla recognized postgame that, in a way, the skewed atmosphere gives the home team an edge. </p>
<p id="WFwCft">“It probably pisses the other team off, and so a little bit of a duality,” Mazzulla said. “You have a responsibility and ownership to the Celtics – at the same time, you have to take on that expectation because you know the other team probably feels some type of way about it.” </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TD Garden-level MVP chants for Jayson Tatum here in DC. He has 20 points on 6-9 FG. <a href="https://t.co/QNc5fwNA5x">pic.twitter.com/QNc5fwNA5x</a></p>— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1769498847489695918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="t5qTvu">Jayson Tatum was initially on the injury report, listed as questionable with an ankle impingement, but ultimately opted to play. It’s become a bit of a running joke within the Celtics fanbase that Tatum will do anything not to sit. After the win, he elaborated on why he chose to play despite the Celtics having such a substantial lead in the standings. </p>
<p id="lI8kBI">“I don’t like to sit out,” Tatum said. “I understand if I was injured or whatever, but I’ve said it before — I just love to play the game, especially on the road. So many fans out there with Tatum 0 jerseys who came to see me play, so I take pride in making sure I’m available as much as I can.” </p>
<p id="YBp3pn">The fans in Washington DC were surely glad to see the MVP candidate opted to compete.</p>
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https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/3/18/24104569/another-home-win-road-fans-boston-celtics-just-this-time-it-was-in-washington-dc-wizards-sam-hauserNoa Dalzell2024-03-18T09:59:32-04:002024-03-18T09:59:32-04:00Imperio: 10 takeaways from Celtics/Wizards
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<p>The Boston Celtics torched the Washington Wizards, despite missing 3 starters.</p> <h3 id="3Rt8wH"><strong>#1 Hauser’s 30-piece</strong></h3>
<p id="JKUYIh">There’s nowhere else we should be starting today’s takeaways. Getting 16th career star, Sam Hauser proved he has mastered the Incendio spell. He was a flamethrower, both as a movement shooter and when spotting up. Here is my favorite bucket from Hauser’s big night. </p>
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<p id="pIZb4X">A little strong-side ‘twirl’ action between Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser confuses the defense before the sharpshooter uses the Luke Kornet screen to pop out to the perimeter and hit the shot straight off the catch. </p>
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<p id="wPT2Zf">I also liked the above bucket. A simple movement three via a DHO in transition. </p>
<p id="G1lquJ">Hauser is among the best sharpshooters in the NBA. I don’t think that’s an outlandish statement — and if it was coming into the game, it certainly shouldn’t be now. Unfortunately, his chance of setting the franchise record for most made threes in a game came to an abrupt halt. Hauser fell awkwardly next to the Wizards bench after making his 10th bucket, suffering an ankle sprain as a result. </p>
<p id="VJGLMz">I was also a fan of Hauser chipping in on the glass, ending the night with six rebounds while showing his upside as a role-playing defender.</p>
<h3 id="frQUFK"><strong>#2 Tatum is still a scoring machine</strong></h3>
<p id="Zwahpk">This is how the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a> opened the game.</p>
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<p id="8iDoAs">From the very first possession, they looked to feature Jayson Tatum within the offense. I particularly liked the play design: A “horns cross” allowing Tatum to work out of the “pinch post.” We didn’t get a bucket from this opening possession, we did, however, get to see Tatum at the foul line within the first 30 seconds of the game.</p>
<p id="lw27em">After that, the tone was set. Tatum cooked from the perimeter.</p>
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<p id="fEcec1">He also did some work on the interior, with this secondary cut and side-step layup being my favorite.</p>
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<p id="N6llJT">Of course, we got our usual two-way production, too. Tatum had 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Yet, It was his work in the passing lanes that really impressed me. Even when facing a depleted Wizards roster, Tatum wanted to control the game and force run-outs. He had four deflections and three steals. </p>
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<p id="FyfgFZ">With Jaylen Brown out due to injury, it was logical that Tatum would step into a bigger role on offense rather than stick to his all-around performances that we’ve seen this season. Still, he balanced the two roles well and had a solid all-around game. </p>
<h3 id="MqKGOq"><strong>#3 Pritchin’ in </strong></h3>
<p id="HXSgdK">Any concerns we’ve had about Payton Pritchard as the primary backup guard should now be in the past. He’s been solid all season. Against the Wizards, in a slightly bigger role due to Derrick White’s absence, we saw an outstanding performance. </p>
<p id="UPxAgN">Pritchard is great at controlling the tempo of a game. He can push the rock in transition. Is adept at “Nashing” the ball when the defense rotates over to protect the rim, and has improved his passing off the dribble since entering the NBA. It’s only fitting, then, that he ended with a career-high 13 assists to go along with his 14 points and 5 rebounds in a solid double-double performance. </p>
<p id="WvGn7K">The Wizards tried to go at Pritchard on the defensive end, putting him into 13 different shooting situations — he held his man ot 46.2% from the field and 1-of-5 from 3-point range. </p>
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<p id="IOWoY0">Xavier Tillman deserves credit for the defensive possession shown above. However, Pritchard’s screen navigation has been a big improvement this season. He can avoid contact and add pressure in the rearview when chasing ball-handlers in pick-and-roll situations. His ability to change speeds on a dime makes him a solid perimeter chase defender and allows pressure to be applied on both sides of the ball. </p>
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<p id="a1QkDX">In terms of creating off the dribble, the above clip shows what I’m talking about. Pritchard isn’t shy to drag out his dribble and create passing lanes. These little one-handed shovel passes are becoming a legitimate weapon for him as a shot-creator in the half-court.</p>
<p id="KwQa0u">Long story short, this was a great night for Pritchard, even if he was facing one of the most lackluster defenses in the entire NBA. </p>
<h3 id="tLRjkf"><strong>#4 Jaden Springer</strong></h3>
<p id="xKVDXr">Despite the Celtics being dominant from start to finish, we still only saw Jaden Springer for a limited period of time. However, he’s a new face on the roster, and I want to at least look at what he’s shown whenever he gets a run on the court. </p>
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<p id="T9ZIt6">This was the best example of what Springer brings to the floor. He switches onto the baseline cutter with pace and intent. He then makes himself big, stays active with his hands, and impacts the shot attempt, forcing the miss. </p>
<p id="x2gNlF">Springer appears to move well. He’s quick, he hustles, and he understands his positioning. There’s no doubt that he’s a project player for a team as deep as the Celtics, but you can see how he could carve out a role for himself heading into next season. </p>
<h3 id="AvV4R0"><strong>#5 More Tillman</strong></h3>
<p id="ZCFLgB">Tillman did ok in his minutes. His positioning was good. His physicality was needed against Eugene Omoruyi, who was certainly looking to make his presence felt on the floor — just look at the shove on Horford earlier in the game if you need an example. </p>
<p id="p1kwbH">When he’s in the game, Tillman allows the ball to move around. His screening and positioning ensure the spacing is solid and that ball-handlers will always have angles being created for them. On defense, Tillman gave the Celtics a switchable presence that held his own on the perimeter while also affecting shots around the rim. </p>
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<p id="kVdgnQ">I also like how quickly he can move his feet to keep the ball handler and the roll man in front of him. That allows him to shade the ball while also boxing out on the rolling big when the shot goes up. </p>
<h3 id="OQOaLm"><strong>#6 Jordan Poole found success</strong></h3>
<p id="nPBWtu">The Wizards were short-handed coming into the game against Boston. As such, it made sense that they would heavily feature Jordan Poole on the offensive end. He’s struggled this season, especially when playing in the starting lineup. Nevertheless, he found some rhythm against the Celtics.</p>
<p id="zmAJjQ">Still, I doubt he would have been that effective if Boston’s rotation was at full strength. There are too many defensive weapons on the Celtics roster, and Poole would have struggled to find gaps when trying to get his shot off. </p>
<p id="9PC77K">However, Poole was effective. He ended the game with 31 points on 63.2% shooting from the field. Interestingly, most of his offense came from within two-point range. I wouldn’t say this is cause for concern, due to how many players were missing from the Celtics rotation, but it was worth pointing out. </p>
<p id="7SmSNs"><strong>#7 We saw some Svi</strong></p>
<p id="IwWUh6">I liked what we saw from Svi Mykhailiuk. We haven’t seen a lot of him this season — such has been Boston’s strength in depth. However, he flashed some upside as a passer and hit almost half of his shots. I was impressed with his work on the glass, too. </p>
<p id="63ps7L">Given where Boston is in the Eastern Conference standings and the games they have left remaining, I would expect to see more of Svi in the coming weeks. However, once the playoffs get underway, I don’t think he’s going to feature unless something goes drastically wrong or the Celtics have blown a team out and Mazzulla has emptied the bench. </p>
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<p id="3mDiIj">Still, I will always enjoy seeing one-dribble pull-ups from shooting specialists, and there could undoubtedly be a role for Svi if a series calls for additional spacing off the bench. I’m not holding my breath, though. </p>
<h3 id="07YxMn"><strong>#8 Should we have expected more from Jrue Holiday?</strong></h3>
<p id="XFAD0F">With Brown, White, and Porzingis all missing from the rotation, I expected Holiday to be featured more on the offensive end. That could have been as a scorer, playmaker, or anything in between. Yet, he continued to be deployed in his “jack-of-all-trades” role. I’m fine with that.</p>
<p id="Sj2Xdo">However, I think this stretch run is a good time to gather data. Holiday has proven himself capable of being a secondary and tertiary offensive option. This game would have been the ideal time to see how that could look for the Celtics. I get that Hauser’s explosion from the perimeter likely limited Holiday’s chances of being a featured scorer, but I do hope we get a couple of chances to see how that could look between now and the end of the season. </p>
<h3 id="n6TdHz"><strong>#9 Oshae Brissett gets the start</strong></h3>
<p id="oXjlSn">Oshae Brissett got his first start of the season against the Wizards. He’s been a solid energy player off the bench all season. He played his role well and displayed the defensive disruption that’s made him such a fun role player during his debut season with the Celtics. </p>
<p id="VrWxVE">I’ve said this before, but I was pretty low on Brissett coming into the season, primarily due to his crossover with Lamar Stevens. However, I’ve really enjoyed what he’s added to the team and was happy to see him get rewarded with a start on Sunday. </p>
<p id="fNXHF6">The scoring still isn’t there, and the rebounding can sometimes look a little questionable, but what he lacks in polish, he makes up for in hustle and effort. He fits right in with the Celtics and is the type of player fans love to root for. </p>
<h3 id="XN3cNF"><strong>#10 End of season hoops </strong></h3>
<p id="mjtQNp">At this time of year, when a team has a significant lead at the top of the standings, the games often feel like a formality. I would expect we will see a lot of “injuries” between now and the end of the season. There’s not much more to learn in terms of execution or scheme. Instead, it’s about gathering data and testing out some combinations — especially with rotation guys. </p>
<p id="lGee4K">Still, we’ve got to give credit to the Celtics for sticking to their gameplan and securing another win when it would have been easy to mail it in for a night and live with the result. That’s what makes this team so special; even on a random Sunday, with three starters missing, they’re still coming out to hoop and get a win. That’s what makes me so confident in their ability to be a serious threat once the playoffs begin.</p>
<h3 id="wp4X6H"><strong>Looking ahead</strong></h3>
<p id="cBxZDS">The Celtics are back in action tonight. They face the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a>. Al Horford will undoubtedly miss the game, as it’s the second night of a back-to-back. Beyond that, we will need to wait for the injury report to see what else is going to change heading into the game. </p>
<p id="e4fM8k">Hopefully, it’s a little more competitive than what we saw against the Wizards, as that makes writing these takeaways a little easier. </p>
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https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/3/18/24104640/imperio-10-takeaways-from-boston-celtics-washington-wizards-sam-hauser-jayson-tatum-al-horford-nbaAdam Taylor2024-03-18T08:00:00-04:002024-03-18T08:00:00-04:00Celtics wanted Sam Hauser to make NBA history
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<p>An ankle injury ended Hauser’s historical night.</p> <p id="LoL3A4">When the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> injury report was finalized on Sunday, the stage was set for some unique performances. Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White were all missing, meaning Boston’s role players would get a chance to shine.</p>
<p id="xYJVnK">Nobody knew that history was in the cards.</p>
<p id="oqvGbs">In just 22:49 of action, Sam Hauser nailed 10 three-pointers. Of the 94 performances in which a player has hit 10 or more threes, Hauser <a href="https://twitter.com/taylorcsnow/status/1769513517021843953">did it in the fewest number of minutes</a>.</p>
<p id="1Gn0fl">Hauser left the game midway through the third quarter with an ankle injury. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ9g2l_hTCk">Joe Mazzulla said</a> he had a “cautionary X-ray,” and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqSK3NT5OAE&pp=ygUKY2xucyBtZWRpYQ%3D%3D">Jayson Tatum added</a> that he “seems to be doing fine,” but the ailment left more history on the table.</p>
<p id="D6ufty">“We were trying to get him to break the record,” said Tatum.</p>
<p id="A0YgBi">Marcus Smart’s 11 made threes on January 18, 2020 is the most in a game by a Celtic. Hauser was one shy. But that wasn’t the only number in range for him.</p>
<p id="pW9R5P">“I was hoping he was gonna go for 15,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faYSrttqSko">said Al Horford</a>. “Even break the Celtics record, but also go for the league record. He just had such [a] good rhythm. So, it was pretty cool to see.”</p>
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<p id="HRtocv">Klay Thompson holds the record for most threes made in a single game. He drained 14 on October 29, 2018, and he only played 27 minutes. Hauser was within striking distance before he turned his ankle on a member of the Washington Wizards bench.</p>
<p id="Kga9S9">With Washington’s 30th-ranked defense and a group of eager teammates feeding him, 15 threes was a reachable mark. And the Celtics knew it.</p>
<p id="jv8Lws">“Us shooters, we know those records,” Horford said. “And then, the Celtics one I knew last year because Derrick White came out hot and hit like seven or eight and ended up like with nine threes or something like that. So, we were very aware of it and pulling for Sam.”</p>
<p id="xAhBIH">Though his night was cut short, Hauser finished the game with a career-high 30 points. The Celtics dismantled the Wizards, and Hauser meticulously picked his spots using his elite off-ball movement and floor spacing.</p>
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<p id="D87pL5">Most importantly, Hauser’s monster evening wasn’t forced. It wasn’t a product of pre-planned absurdities against a subpar team. The Celtics played their game, Hauser played his, and it all happened naturally.</p>
<p id="jT6BIh">The way basketball is intended to be played.</p>
<p id="xdavT0">“I love how he got his shots within the flow of our execution,” Mazzulla said. “And that’s the weapon that he is. His ability to just put two on the ball, his ability to create open shots for himself and for other people. So, it was fun to watch him shoot them [and] it was fun to watch his guys look for him.”</p>
<p id="pC1quV">Hauser hit his spots, and the Celtics found him. “He took all great shots, and we just did a good job of finding the guy with the hot hand,” said Tatum.</p>
<p id="JOP9YN">A feat accomplished fewer than 100 times in NBA history. A man who did it in fewer minutes than ever before. And a night ended prematurely by an ankle injury, preventing a new name from being entered into the NBA record books.</p>
<p id="nsSdM5">Celtics-Wizards was billed as a zero percent on Rotten Tomatoes, but Hauser’s plotline turned it into a blockbuster.</p>
https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/3/18/24104608/boston-celtics-sam-hauser-washington-wizards-10-threes-nba-history-jayson-tatum-al-horfordJack Simone