Upon reviewing Thursday’s 115-109 defeat in Denver, a crucial distinction between the Celtics and the reigning NBA champions emerges. The Nuggets showcase a well-defined and proven strategy for crunch time situations. In contrast, the Celtics possess a clear destination for the ball but seem uncertain about the most effective path to reach it.
The synergy of the high pick and roll featuring Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic presents a myriad of options, especially when Jokic takes control, navigating his way into the paint for a score or delivering some of the league’s most exquisite interior passes. While the Celtics anticipated this strategy and defended it reasonably well, occasional miscommunications allowed for open cutters during the game.
Conversely, the Celtics’ offensive strength lies in their versatility to exploit defensive vulnerabilities through passing and cutting. However, in critical moments, they often resort to thinly veiled isolations or even blatant one-on-one situations.
Celtics Possess Potential as the Most Formidable Offensive Team.
According to an NBA coach I spoke with this week, the Celtics are the most intimidating offensive team he has seen since Golden State boasted the trio of Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson.
He expressed concern about Boston’s tendency to aggressively seek mismatches instead of allowing them to develop more naturally. The coach remarked, “When they move the ball around, it’s a beautiful sight to watch, and you wonder how on earth we’re going to defend this. However, if you can disrupt their rhythm, some players get frustrated and attempt to force plays. While they often succeed, a couple of unsuccessful attempts seem to affect them on both ends of the court.
“The challenge for them, especially in the playoffs where the game slows down, is to maintain their pace even in half-court situations.”
Celtics Continuously Seeking Optimal Bench Combination.
In the quest to establish the most effective bench combinations, coach Joe Mazzulla is still exploring options, evident in the significant minutes given to newcomer Xavier Tillman (13:25) compared to Al Horford (18:51). The ongoing search is understandably influenced by specific matchups against different opponents.
However, Sam Hauser’s impressive shooting performance, boasting a 41.8 percent accuracy on three-pointers without hesitation, makes a compelling case for his increased involvement in various lineups.
Beyond his scoring prowess, Hauser’s proficiency creates valuable driving space for his teammates. Despite getting 10:17 on the court in Denver, it seems that his contribution may warrant even more playing time.
Struggles at the Free-Throw Line Prove Costly.
What stands out the most from Thursday’s game?
Consider the Celtics’ struggles: missing nine free throws, committing perplexing live-ball turnovers, shooting only 28.9 percent on three-pointers, and lapses in weak-side boxing out. Remarkably, they were still within reach of taking the lead with 45 seconds left, pending an open Jayson Tatum 3-pointer.
While the Celtics might find a glimmer of solace in recognizing their potential for improvement, they are well aware that, despite their performance in the remaining regular-season games, any positive win on national TV will be met with a narrative that includes a “Yeah, but…” The scrutiny will focus on the less-than-ideal late-game execution in tight situations, revealing potentially unfavorable statistics.
This lingering doubt can likely only be dispelled in the playoffs, and if the Celtics are astute, they will embrace the challenge it presents.