The Celtics needed this one. After a stretch of inconsistent play, we finally saw the team we’ve been waiting for over the past month. The ball was moving, shots were falling, and most importantly, the guys were having fun out there.
Let’s start with the offense. We saw 34 assists last night, which is exactly what you want to see from this team. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were aggressive but not forcing things. They let the game come to them, and it paid off. Payton Pritchard provided that spark off the bench we’ve been looking for.
The key to last night’s success? Making the defense work. The Celtics’ offense is all about getting that initial advantage, whether it’s off the dribble, in transition, or from a pick-and-roll. Once you put the defense in a disadvantaged situation, it’s all about reading and reacting. The Warriors don’t have much rim protection, so we attacked when they overreacted and kicked it out when they collapsed.
Now, I’ve got to nitpick a little bit here. Tatum’s shot selection, especially early on, wasn’t great. He was searching for his three-point shot, taking some tough looks that disrupted the flow of the offense. I’d like to see him trust the system more and let those shots come naturally.
But overall, the shooting was much improved. Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Jrue Holiday, and Sam Hauser all knocked down their threes at a good clip. We shot almost 42% from deep as a team, which is a huge boost for our offense.
The theme after the game was fun, and that’s so important. These guys are under immense pressure, and sometimes you need to step back and remember why you play the game. Joe Mazzulla has been preaching this, and it paid off last night. When you’re having fun, everything else falls into place.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Celtics’ potential resurgence, tune into the Locked On Celtics podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Celtics Podcast:
• Rebounding and defensive improvements
• Individual player performances
• Looking ahead to the Clippers and Lakers matchups
