#2 Boston Celtics vs #7 Brooklyn Nets - First Round Playoff Series Preview

The Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets will meet within the first spherical of the 2021 NBA Playoffs in an Jap Convention collection. This can be a rematch of final 12 months’s first spherical collection, however the Celtics are coming in way more ready this time round. The collection schedule is as follows:

· Recreation 1 – Sunday 4/17 at Boston – 3:30 PM ET – ABC

· Recreation 2 – Wednesday 4/20 at Boston – 7:00 PM ET – TNT

· Recreation 3 – Saturday 4/23 at Brooklyn – TBD – ESPN

· Recreation 4 – Monday 4/25 at Brooklyn – TBD – TBD

· Recreation 5* – Wednesday 4/27 at Boston – TBD – *if mandatory

· Recreation 6* – Friday 4/29 at Brooklyn – TBD – *if mandatory

· Recreation 7* – Sunday 5/1 at Boston – TBD – *if mandatory

In the course of the common season the groups met 4 occasions, with Boston taking three of the 4 matchups:

· Brooklyn 123 – Boston 104

· Boston 126 – Brooklyn 91

· Boston 129 – Brooklyn 106

· Boston 126 – Brooklyn 120

There’s not a ton to be drawn from the common season collection, sadly. Within the first sport, Brooklyn received an excellent efficiency from James Harden, however neither Al Horford nor Kyrie Irving performed. Harden is now lengthy gone, and Horford and Irving might be main gamers.

The second sport featured a wholesome Celtics towards a decidedly not-healthy Nets. For those who can imagine it, this sport wasn’t whilst shut as the ultimate 35-point margin signifies.

The third sport performed out equally to the second sport. Boston was once more wholesome, whereas Brooklyn was not. Once more, the end result was a blowout.

The fourth matchup seems to be essentially the most much like what we’d see within the playoffs. In that sport, Jayson Tatum outdueled Kevin Durant by scoring 54 factors to Durant’s 37. Past the 2 stars, Boston received good performances from nearly everybody else. Kyrie Irving and Bruce Brown did their factor for Brooklyn, whereas the Nets additionally received 14 factors off the bench from LaMarcus Aldridge.

Well being Outlook

The Celtics enter this collection with out Robert Williams. Boston has expressed optimism on Williams’ restoration from meniscus surgical procedure. There’s even been reporting that the Celtics imagine they’ll have Williams in some unspecified time in the future throughout this collection. Clearly, if Williams can each play and be himself, that might be big for Boston. They’ve received good depth up entrance, however Williams raises this crew’s ceiling significantly.

On the Nets aspect, their solely actual query is that if Ben Simmons will play. Whereas there was reporting that Simmons is optimistic that he’ll make his Brooklyn debut in the course of the first spherical, the crew has publicly shot that down. Simmons solely just lately began ramping up his on-court work. He hasn’t carried out any full scrimmaging but, which Steve Nash has stated is a should earlier than Simmons performs.

Total, it’s onerous to think about Simmons, after being out for the whole season, being thrown into the center of a playoff collection. That may very well be a disastrous strategy to begin what Brooklyn hopes is a long-term partnership. He’s not precisely a plug-and-play participant, given his distinctive skillset.

The one different participant formally out is the Nets Joe Harris, who’s out for the season following ankle surgical procedure.

Beginning Guards

Marcus Good and Jaylen Brown vs Kyrie Irving and Seth Curry

The common season matchups are solely semi-instructive right here. Kyrie Irving solely performed as soon as towards Boston, whereas Seth Curry received 5 video games vs the Celtics because of the commerce that despatched him from Philadelphia to Brooklyn. On the Boston aspect, Marcus Good and Jaylen Brown appeared in all 4 video games towards the Nets.

Good has performed some his greatest basketball this season towards Brooklyn. He shot 50% from the ground, in addition to 50% from behind the arc, in averaging 17.8 factors. He additionally put up 6.5 assists per sport, towards simply 2.5 turnovers. And, as all the time, Good performed some fairly good protection towards varied Nets.

Brown was additionally stable, if a bit understated to his season as an entire. He’s requested to hold a heavy defensive burden towards Brooklyn, as Brown is the first defender on Kevin Durant. So, it’s seemingly Brown backs off a contact on offense. He was nonetheless productive, however didn’t hit threes at his regular price.

Curry had some huge taking pictures video games towards the Celtics, each with the 76ers and the Nets. Retaining monitor of him might be a serious focus for Boston.

Search for Good to begin possessions guarding Irving. How a lot Boston switches that matchup might be huge, as Good is the most effective outfitted of the Celtics 5 starters to protect Irving. As a result of Brown typically guards Durant, Jayson Tatum will seemingly open possessions on Seth Curry. That’s a cross-match that dictates Tatum has to get again on protection and get matched up correctly.

When the ball flips to the opposite finish, that’s the place Boston has an enormous benefit. Neither Irving nor Curry is an efficient defender. Each could be satisfactory for stretches, however these are two guys the Celtics will go at.

Search for Good to get down inside and do some work out of the put up towards both Irving or Curry. Boston has gotten plenty of offense out of these units, because the bigs pull their counterparts out to the arc.

Equally, Brown will get his on straight post-ups, in addition to drives and cuts. He’s too huge, too sturdy and too athletic for both Irving or Curry to deal with. And there’s no simple swap, as that leaves the Nets deprived elsewhere.

Boston will most likely see Durant taking part in as considerably of a roamer, seemingly off Daniel Theis. He’ll be the designated helper when the Celtics are going at Irving or Curry. Good and Brown getting the ball shifting in these conditions, with out forcing their very own pictures, might be a serious key to this collection.

Benefit: Boston. That is nearly the inverse of final season. Brooklyn has to attain and rating so much to maintain tempo on this backcourt matchup, in addition to the collection as an entire. The problem for the Nets is that the Celtics do have some probability of slowing them down, as a result of their guys are elite defenders. That doesn’t appear real looking on the opposite finish. That’s why this benefit tilts in direction of Boston, even when Irving might be going to have a minimum of a few actually huge video games within the collection.

Beginning Forwards

Jayson Tatum and Al Horford vs Kevin Durant and Bruce Brown

Jayson Tatum’s emergence as an all-around celebrity places him close to the extent of Kevin Durant. Durant stays the NBA’s most-lethal scorer. There’s nothing he can’t do. And in case you ship assist, Durant is completely able to find cutters and shooters.

However right here’s the factor…Tatum is only a tick behind Durant in those self same methods. And that tick is getting smaller and smaller by the day.

As well as, Tatum is a greater defender than Durant, just because he brings that effort extra typically. Partly, that’s as a result of Tatum doesn’t have to hold the offensive burden Durant does. And with different elite defenders round him, Tatum is an knowledgeable at working in Boston’s defensive system.

Bruce Brown would be the main defender towards Tatum, however the Celtics will hunt down mismatches by way of screening for Tatum once they can. Durant will most likely guard Al Horford and Daniel Theis, however will float round fairly a bit.

Merely put: Tatum vs Durant goes to be a present. Even when they’ll most likely solely sometimes guard one another, all eyes might be on them.

The place the Celtics should “win” is with Al Horford outproducing Bruce Brown. Brown performs form of like a mini-Horford for the Nets. He does plenty of work in and across the paint, and takes some threes. He’s additionally an excellent defender and an excellent passer.

The distinction is that Horford is definitely an enormous, whereas Brown masquerades as one. When Rob Williams was wholesome, he “guarded” Brown, whereas Horford took on Andre Drummond. Search for that comparable technique to play out with Daniel Theis “guarding” Brown.

Why “guarding”? Boston is content material to let Brown take threes. Sure, he hit 40% from deep this 12 months, but it surely was on only one.3 makes an attempt per sport. Brown is an improved shooter, however he nonetheless does his work totally on the within. When Brown drifts to the arc, search for Theis to place himself in conditions to assist. As Brown cuts and strikes, both Theis or one other Celtic should tag him to ensure he’s accounted for.

Benefit: Boston. Not like final 12 months, when Tatum was mainly a one-man present, he’s received a number of assist this 12 months. Even when he doesn’t outplay or match Durant, Tatum received’t be far off. It’s Horford outproducing Brown that offers the Celtics the benefit right here. Like Kyrie Irving, Durant could have a couple of monster video games on this collection. However so will Tatum. And that’s big in comparison with final 12 months’s collection.

Beginning Heart

Daniel Theis vs Andre Drummond

Every little thing has modified right here from final 12 months. Daniel Theis is again with Boston, whereas Andre Drummond has been terrific for Brooklyn since he was acquired on the commerce deadline. Neither of those guys had been part of final season’s collection, nor had been their backups overly concerned.

Theis doesn’t must be Rob Williams. He simply must be a reputable substitute. Boston’s offense modifications some with Theis rather than Williams. Theis is a risk across the rim, however not the “simply get it within the neighborhood” risk that Williams is. On the flip aspect, Theis needs to be guarded on the arc. He’s at 35.7% on threes in 21 video games with Boston.

Defensively, Theis is stable, however he’s not Williams. Williams is a game-changing defensive power. Theis is extra ruggedly reliable. However that’s all of the Celtics want him to be for now.

For all their offensive brilliance, the Nets don’t put a ton of stress on the rim. Drummond, Bruce Brown and backup heart Nic Claxton are the one gamers who take plenty of pictures on the basket. That ought to enable Theis to roam and assist a bit, with out having the stress to guard the basket too.

Drummond has performed nice for the Nets, however he’s nonetheless considerably of an enigma. His defensive effort comes and goes. Offensively, he’s a catch-and-dunk man. He stays an excellent in-area rebounder, however he’s not getting ones that don’t fall proper to him. Al Horford’s most important purpose must be to maintain Drummond off the offensive glass, which is able to enable Theis to do his factor as a helper.

Benefit: Even. This matchup is fairly shut. Theis is a extra versatile participant, however he’s all the time Boston’s fifth possibility on offense. So long as he’s setting screens, ending layups and making the occasional jumper, he’s carried out his job on offense. On protection, Theis could have plenty of the designated-helper obligations. He has to keep away from getting foolish fouls, even when the Warfare on Theis is an actual factor. For the Nets to have an opportunity at successful this collection, Drummond must be a monster. He has to dominate inside to enhance Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. That may occur for a sport or two, however persistently good play has by no means been a trademark of Drummond’s profession.

Reserves

Derrick White, Grant Williams, Payton Pritchard vs Patty Mills, Nic Claxton, Goran Dragic

Don’t anticipate both coach to go deeper than eight gamers when it issues. If Rob Williams or Ben Simmons finally ends up being accessible, they’ll soar into the rotation too, however for now, we’re treating them each as out.

So, it’s actually a few backup guards and a backup huge for either side. The Nets have the expertise, however the Celtics three most important reserves have been taking part in lights-out for a few months now.

Derrick White might be the only most vital reserve on this collection, other than doubtlessly Nic Claxton. White goes to play so much, particularly if Boston goes to some smaller lineups. He’s prone to be part of the Celtics closing lineups. He’ll be tasked with guarding each Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, and White needs to be as much as that activity.

For the others, it comes all the way down to protection and making pictures. Grant Williams has to provide Boston good protection behind Al Horford and Daniel Theis. And he has to make pictures. On the opposite aspect, Nic Claxton needs to be the bouncy menace he’s able to being. He’s essentially the most athletic huge on this collection with Rob Williams out. He has to make use of that to his benefit. Don’t be stunned if he finally ends up taking part in an excellent quantity over Andre Drummond to provide the Nets extra rim safety.

Payton Pritchard, Patty Mills and Goran Dragic will all play if they will hit pictures and never be large targets on protection. This season, Pritchard has confirmed as much as that activity. He’s terrific shooter and a aggressive defender. Boston does an excellent job scamming him out of mismatches of their switching scheme. And the Nets will nearly all the time have a smaller guard or two on the ground, which provides Pritchard a spot to begin possessions.

Mills had an important begin to the season, however he seems to be actually worn down. He hasn’t shot over 40% in a month since January, and that’s primarily what he presents the Nets. The prolonged collection, with no back-to-backs may very well be huge for him.

The identical may very well be true of Goran Dragic. Dragic continues to be tough and does an excellent job working the offense, however he’s actually struggled to shoot it since becoming a member of the Nets. It’s a small pattern dimension, but when Dragic isn’t making jumpers, he most likely can’t be on the ground.

Benefit: Boston. This one appears fairly easy: The Celtics reserves carry so much to the desk whereas taking nothing off of it. The Nets reserves are able to huge offensive video games, however Mills and Dragic are main targets on protection. As well as, any of the Boston backups can play with any of the starters. The Nets can’t run lineups with Dragic and Mills becoming a member of Kyrie Irving or Seth Curry and hope to achieve success towards the Celtics. These groupings are just too small. So long as pictures are falling, Boston’s reserves will play much more protection and that offers them a reasonably sizable benefit.

Teaching

Ime Udoka vs Steve Nash

Steve Nash has a bit extra expertise, however Ime Udoka isn’t far sufficient behind for that to actually matter. What does matter is that the crew Ime Udoka is aware of greatest past Boston is Brooklyn. His time with the Nets as an assistant places him in a scenario the place he is aware of plenty of their stuff and has an excellent sense of easy methods to assault Brooklyn on each ends.

Nash’s greatest skill appears to be managing egos vs managing a collection. Nash tends to rely an excessive amount of on his veteran gamers, even when they aren’t essentially coming by way of for him. Oddly although, he’ll throw gamers like Kessler Edwards within the combine, once they clearly appear overmatched.

Udoka has spent the whole 12 months constructing and refining Boston’s schemes on protection and offense. The protection got here alongside faster and stays formidable even with out Rob Williams. The offense is the place issues have actually picked up. The Celtics are working extra, shifting the ball and executing at a really excessive stage.

Benefit: Even. It’s unattainable to provide Udoka a bonus right here, even when it’s tempting. Nash has a minimum of been by way of a playoff run earlier than. Udoka should study a bit on the fly about adjusting sport to sport. Playoff collection are about changes, then the changes to these changes. Udoka has been by way of all of it in his first season, whereas Nash simply led one of many extra making an attempt common season campaigns a coach has seen. This one goes to come back all the way down to which coach trusts his stuff and his gamers the correct amount. An excessive amount of or too little and all the things might go sideways.

Prediction

Celtics in six video games.

This prediction is made with a wholesome respect for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and with a pinch of trepidation round Rob Williams being out. If Williams had been wholesome, the decide would have been Celtics in 5 video games. However the uncertainty of when, and if, Williams will play, offers the Nets an opportunity.

Once they have each Durant and Irving, the Nets are an excellent offensive crew. On the opposite aspect, the Celtics are an excellent offensive AND defensive crew.

And that’s the distinction.

Having watched all of them 12 months, together with in a number of huge video games down the stretch and vs Cleveland within the Play-In Event, there’s no cause to imagine Brooklyn will play sufficient protection to beat Boston 4 occasions in seven video games.

Durant and Irving will most likely win a few video games nearly by themselves. They’re that good. However whereas they’re most likely two of the three greatest gamers on this collection (Durant, Tatum, Irving/Brown is a tossup), Boston might have the following 4 greatest gamers. Depth and protection lean closely in direction of the Celtics.

It’s all the time onerous to select a crew to shut a collection on the street. However taking part in in Brooklyn isn’t precisely like going into the lion’s den. If it will get to a Recreation 6, the Celtics might be high-quality. They’ve confirmed that that they embrace a problem.

The playoffs are like a struggle. Belief that Boston, from Ime Udoka straight by way of the 15^th man, is prepared, and extra importantly, glad to strap the gloves on and go to work. That may and want to precise some revenge will drive Boston into the second spherical.

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