#1 The Tatum + Brown connection continues
If you want to win a championship, your best players need to be playing at an elite level. On Monday night, both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown answered that call. They ended the game with a combined 60 points, 19 rebounds and 6 assists. They both pressured the rim, attacked space in the mid-range, and took enough perimeter shots to ensure they kept their three-point gravity intact.
Over the past two games, the All-Star forwards have now combined for 121 points, 38 rebounds and 15 assists. That’s some elite production from your two best players — regardless of who the opponent is and who is or isn’t missing from the opposite rotation. This is the version of ‘The Jay’s’ that we’ve been waiting for. A fearsome tandem that cooks as individuals, as part of a team, and when working together — either in actions or in spacing the floor on either wing.
The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have enough defenders to keep all of Boston’s offensive weapons quiet. Especially when you’ve got to send two at both of the Celtics stars. If Tatum and Brown can keep up this level of pressure and production, Joe Mazzulla’s team should be capable of fighting to close out the series on Wednesday and earning themselves some valuable rest ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals.
#2 Pre-switching
A switch defense has become the norm in the modern NBA. Depending on personnel, teams either switch 1-through-5 or 1-through-4 with the big in drop. Over the past two games, the Cavaliers have opted not to switch on defense, opting a “show-and-recover” system, aiming to limit Boston’s ability to create and hunt mismatches.
Mazzulla has gone in a different direction. Rather than avoiding the switch, he has his team pre-switching specific actions. Switching early means the Celtics don’t need to recover to their man. Instead, they’re in a position to contain actions early and often and, as a result, can pressure the ball handler.
Watch Jayson Tatum in the above clip. Note how many times he switches an action before it occurs. His preemptive approach ensured the Celtics were one step ahead of the offense from start to finish.
Even when the Celtics stuck with a standard switching system, they were executing at pace. This opening switch between Jrue Holiday and Derrick White is a good example — with Holiday’s switch leading to an easy pilfer.
#3 Rim Pressure
Everyone in Boston’s rotation was looking to pressure the rim. If the Cavaliers closed-out hard, the Celtics made the right read and looked to get the ball into the paint. Sometimes, that led to some questionable entry passes. Yet, overall, it allowed the Celtics to keep the Cavaliers defense in rotation, forcing weakside help, generating collapses, and opening up some easy buckets.
Notice how this clip starts with White ghosting a cut into the paint. A quick entry pass from Brown triggers the defense to collapse. Tatum makes himself available for the kick-out, drives, engages three defenders and hits the easy dump-off to Luke Kornet, who finishes with a neat up-and-under finish.
That one possession saw three different players put pressure on the rim. The ball was popping in and out of the paint, and the defense was scrambling to stay in front of the action. When you’re putting that kind of pressure on the rearguard, open perimeter shots come easier, as do layups via secondary cuts or ‘trail man’ offense.
#4 Surviving runs
One of my favorite things about this game was how the Celtics got tested. The Cavaliers found ways to ignite their offense when they were trailing. They went on multiple scoring runs — even taking the lead briefly in the third quarter. As such, the Celtics were forced to re-group at different points throughout the game. In-game adjustments occurred.
We’ve rarely seen the Celtics get tested this season. This win saw them secure a 70-20 record on the season. Most of those losses have been aberrations. So, getting an opportunity to see the Celtics being put under pressure by a team that’s fighting to stay in the series while operating without their best player was fun — obviously, it was more fun because the Celtics responded the way we would want them to.
I’m not advocating for more tough situations. However, I’m also not opposed to Boston being tested for stretches because once the NBA Finals roll around, those tests will occur at a much more consistent rate, and it’s always good to be battle-ready.
#5 Owning the glass
A dominant performance from the Celtics here. The won the rebounding battle 48-32. They won the offensive board battle 10-8 and the defensive board battle 30-28. The Celtics were crashing the glass, boxing out, sending additional bodies after the shot and looking to control the tempo.
Boston ended the game with 22 fast-break points. There was a legitimate focus on rebounding and getting out in transition.
Boston has the more athletic team. Playing at a higher tempo allows Mazzulla’s roster to lean into their natural abilities while also pressuring the rim and creating additional drive and kick opportunities. If the Celtics want to play a commanding rebounding game, it’s going to lead to transition buckets like the one above from Brown. I’m here for it. I like dunks. I mean, who doesn’t?
#6 Tatum’s perimeter jumper
Tatum played a fantastic game. I’m taking nothing away from his overall performance. I like the version of him that we’re currently seeing. Nevertheless, his perimeter game is still a weak point. After last night’s outing, Tatum is now at 26.3% from the perimeter during the postseason.
Personally, I blame shots like these. When Tatum slows things down, goes into his dribble package and then ends in a side-step or step-back three, I don’t feel as confident as I once did. It’s not that he can’t make them. It’s that he hasn’t been making them with enough consistency for this to continue being his go-to move.
I’m not sure if his lingering wrist injury is still bothering him or if he’s changed his shot mechanics slightly, but whatever is happening, it’s drastically reduced his effectiveness as a perimeter scorer — primarily off the dribble.
I keep waiting for water to find its level for Tatum’s 3-point jumper. That wait feels never-ending. When the over-correction does happen, though, it will be a monumental scoring night for Tatum — and his per-game averages to get a significant boost. The Celtics don’t need him to be hitting those shots at a high clip, but they do need him to be hitting at a better rate than he currently is.
#7 More on the wing
We saw this in game five against the Miami Heat. With the Celtics looking to push the pace a little more, they went back to guard-to-guard actions on the wing (also known as 21).
We also saw the Celtics look to play out of the delay following those 21 actions. When the ball is passed to a big in the delay after a guard-to-guard action, it is known as a ‘reset’ as it resets the offense and allows actions to occur on both sides of the floor. Therefore it’s often labeled as a 21 reset.
As you can see in the above clip, the Celtics weren’t shy about flowing straight into a second action after resetting the ball. Here they go guard-to-guard, reset, and then flow straight into a wedge screen to get Tatum into the strong-side post.
Without Porzingis in the rotation, having a fluid approach to playing above the break is the best way to attack a defense without letting it get set. Early offense actions like stuff out of Boston’s 21 series keep the pressure on while also giving everyone a chance to play a fluid, high-paced offense.
#8 Cleveland found a new gear without Mitchell
Despite Donovan Mitchell being out of the rotation, the Cavaliers did a fantastic job of fighting on every possession. They clawed and fought their way through that game. Darius Garland’s shiftiness and on-ball creation were both tough covers. Max Strus’ shooting and aggression were tough to cover.
The only downside for Cleveland was that it took Evan Mobley so long to get going and make an impact on the game. Still, you’ve got to tip your cap to J.B. Bickerstaff’s team. They were down two starters and still found a way to keep the game within touching distance despite Boston’s adjustments and forceful approach to the game. That’s impressive.
#9 Evening out Horford’s minutes
After playing heavy minutes in game three, Mazzulla adjusted Horford’s playing time for this game. He ended the night having spent 28 minutes on the court, which is much more manageable for the nearly 38-year-old. Finding ways to keep Horford fresh is integral for a potential run toward a championship. He brings so much on both sides of the court.
Kornet played well in the additional minutes he was afforded on the floor. His size is a natural deterrent around the rim, and he consistently gives Mobley a puzzle that he’s yet to figure out. I also like Kornet’s movement on the perimeter when operating as part of the offensive unit.
Eventually (fingers crossed), Porzingis will return to the rotation, and Horford will re-assume his role off the bench. Until then, Mazzulla must get creative with his minutes management. Yes, Horford is capable of being a starting big in the NBA. No, he’s not capable of eating Tom Thibodeau-style minutes on a nightly basis.
I felt like this was a good balance that worked well on both sides of the court. Whether it works in game 5 remains to be seen.
#10 One more win
The Cavaliers can still fight back. This series isn’t over. Not right now, at least. However, if the Celtics can secure another win on their home floor, they will be ending Cleveland’s postseason while also earning themselves some much-needed rest. The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers look destined to go seven games in their series. That would ensure the Celtics get almost a week off before suiting up for a Conference Finals battle.
At this stage of the season, where games are coming thick and fast, and the style of play is far more physical, every off day counts. If the Celtics can get back to 100% — or close to it, they will have a legitimate advantage during the opening games of the next round.
It won’t be easy to close this one out. Cleveland won’t roll over and be eliminated without a fight. Still, if Mazzulla’s team can get the job done, the reward will be worth it.
Looking ahead
Back at it again tomorrow. Hopefully the series is put to bed, and we can begin focusing on New York or Indiana. Whatever happens, I’ll be back here on Thursday, trying to make sense of what we saw (and hopefully gloating over another successful series). Have a great Tuesday, everyone!
