10 takeaways from the Celtics’ first NBA Cup loss to Hawks

#1 – Even in a loss, Celtics Basketball remains to be lovely

Earlier than diving into the explanations behind the Celtics’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks, let’s acknowledge the fantastic thing about Celtics basketball, even in defeat on a inexperienced court docket. When the ball strikes nicely and protection creates offense, Celtics basketball is at its greatest. Exhibit A: this quick break late within the first half.

Celtics basketball additionally shines by way of strategic play-calling and sensible teaching. In a single sideline out-of-bounds play, the Celtics baited the Hawks into considering the ball would go straight to Jayson Tatum within the put up. Nonetheless, the Celtics set stagger screens for Vacation, who ran towards the ball and acted because the connector between Jaylen Brown on the sideline and Jayson Tatum on the put up. Jayson anticipated this and lower into an empty paint.

Take into account additionally this sequence: Jayson Tatum blocks Larry Nance Jr., igniting a quick break, then Jrue Vacation drives and delivers a no-look cross to the nook for Jaylen Brown. Protection resulting in offense—that’s Celtics basketball.

To cap it off, let’s admire this ball motion and Jayson Tatum’s enchancment as a passer.

#2 – The Celtics struggled to care for the ball

Thus far this season, the Celtics have been wonderful at defending the ball. Solely as soon as (earlier than final night time) did they lose the ball on greater than 15% of their possessions. That was the second night time of a back-to-back in opposition to Charlotte, and so they bought a cross for it.

Nonetheless, final night time, the turnover charge climbed to twenty%. One key disruptor was Dyson Daniels, whose exercise and size gave the Celtics’ offense extra hassle than we’ve seen shortly. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown mixed for 11 turnovers.

Daniels wasn’t the one issue within the turnover problem. The size of Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, and Onyeka Okongwu made all the Celtics offense uncomfortable. One other downside for the Celtics was that they didn’t have a transparent goal to use, no seal to hunt.

#3 – No seal searching

With Trae Younger sidelined, many anticipated considerations concerning the Hawks’ offense. Nonetheless, the Celtics’ offense additionally appeared to be impacted by his absence. With out Younger within the recreation, the Celtics had no clear mismatch to use.

Keaton Wallace, a Hawks two-way participant, took Younger’s place at level guard, and his size and energy made him a troublesome matchup. The Hawks had been in a position to swap every part, neutralizing a lot of the Celtics’ normal offense. Whereas Jaylen and Jayson might nonetheless assault some Hawks gamers, it wasn’t as fruitful as normal.

#4 – Jaylen Brown’s scoring efficiency

The loss and his missed final shot might overshadow this, however make no mistake: Jaylen Brown’s scoring was stellar. He was one of many few Celtics in a position to get to the rim, scoring 5 baskets within the paint. Plus, his skill to attract fouls has improved since final season, making him extra environment friendly and extra harmful.

As at all times, his robust shot-making makes him laborious to protect, and he has additionally improved within the put up. Final season, the Celtics elevated their post-up quantity round Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis. This season, Jaylen is following swimsuit, contributing extra to the Celtics’ offense by way of the put up.

General, it was an excellent recreation from Jaylen Brown, who appears to be again in type after lacking a few video games.

#5 – Derrick White’s elite capturing night time

At any time when Derrick White has a capturing night time like this, it’s outstanding. I keep in mind again in 2022 when his capturing struggles had been a part of the Celtics’ spacing points in opposition to the Warriors within the Finals.

Final night time, his capturing helped maintain the Celtics within the recreation. With Tatum unable to drive to the rim as a lot as he needed, White was at all times well-positioned to supply him a kick-out possibility.

Thus far this season, White has made 50% of his catch-and-shoot threes on over 5 makes an attempt per recreation. That’s Steph Curry territory. His proportion will doubtless drop, however his progress from being ignored on the perimeter to one of many league’s greatest from three is wonderful.

#6 – Celtics misplaced regardless of capturing 40% from deep

Usually, when the Celtics lose, it’s stated they couldn’t sustain with their normal three-point proportion. However that wasn’t the case final night time.

In opposition to the Hawks, the Celtics made 40% of their threes, with an eFG% of 63%, one of many highest throughout the NBA this season. They had been environment friendly on the rim too, making 82% of their pictures inside 4 ft, and so they drew lots of free throws with a 27% FTRate, nicely above final season’s common.

These numbers recommend the Celtics ought to have dominated offensively, so why was the consequence so common? As famous, turnovers had been a significant downside. One other problem was rebounding.

#7 – The Celtics had been outrebounded

Joe Mazzulla typically talks about shot margin, aiming to make sure the Celtics have extra shot alternatives than their opponents. Final night time, that wasn’t the case. The Celtics had been dominated on the boards, with the Hawks grabbing rebounds on 45% of their missed pictures. To place it merely, the Hawks bought second possibilities half the time they missed a shot.

This rebounding disparity created defensive points and restricted the Celtics’ transition alternatives. The Celtics performed 88% of their possessions within the half-court, whereas the Hawks performed solely 75% in half-court units, giving them easier scoring possibilities. Fittingly, the Hawks’ game-winning basket got here off an offensive rebound.

#8 – Hawks massive males dominated

Past rebounding, the Hawks’ massive males dominated total. Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, and Larry Nance Jr. mixed for 22 discipline objectives on 32 makes an attempt, producing 52 factors and grabbing 17 rebounds.

None of those three are recognized for offensive dominance. Capela is now not the rim-runner he as soon as was, whereas Okongwu and Nance function extra as short-roll and high-post connectors. However final night time, they attacked smaller gamers and took benefit of Porzingis’s absence.

Larry Nance Jr., particularly, had an surprising capturing efficiency harking back to Klay Thompson. The Hawks’ massive males had been efficient attributable to nice teaching and a few luck.

#9 – Celtics’ protection couldn’t include Dyson Daniels

One other shock was Dyson Daniels. Traded from New Orleans this summer time, the 21-year-old stepped up in a recreation the place the Hawks’ offensive star was lacking. Defensively, he made life laborious for the Celtics’ stars.

His defensive prowess wasn’t a shock, as he’s excelled in creating turnovers and quick breaks since becoming a member of Atlanta. However his offensive contribution was surprising. Alongside Jalen Johnson, the 2 younger gamers tallied 17 assists, serving to generate the Hawks’ offense.

Daniels used his size and pace to drive in opposition to Al Horford and different defenders. This recreation might present helpful insights into how aggressive, prolonged wings can problem the Celtics’ protection.

#10 – Celtics’ new inexperienced court docket remains to be terrible, particularly at 6:00 AM

As I reside in Europe, I get up early to look at and write concerning the recreation earlier than beginning my day. Watching a recreation on a inexperienced court docket so early isn’t one thing I’d want on anybody.