1. This was a kind of “simply win” video games for the Boston Celtics. It was a back-to-back with journey (albeit very brief journey) in opposition to a younger, scrappy group. Ultimately, it comes down to creating simply sufficient performs to win.
Right this moment, on October 22, it won’t look like a lot. But when Boston will get the one seed within the Japanese Convention, and even simply homecourt benefit, by one recreation, this win over the Orlando Magic counts simply as a lot as every other.
Additionally, successful the “simply win” video games is one thing the Celtics didn’t do early final season. In October, November and December final season, Boston would have misplaced this recreation, setting off an existential disaster. This yr? To date, so good.
2. It may appear odd to begin with somebody apart from Jayson Tatum, who dropped in 40 factors, however Derrick White might need been the participant of the sport for the Celtics.
White scored his Celtics-career-high with 27 factors. He additionally added in 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a few fairly good protection at occasions.
White’s jumper has improved sufficient that groups are going to need to rethink going below screens in opposition to him, as they Magic do right here:
A little bit later, Mo Bamba closes out to White and bites on the shot faux. From there, White is off to the rim:
Late within the recreation, with the Magic hanging round, White drove for the robust lefty end and the and-1:
A few journeys after that one, White confirmed off that 0.5 decision-making. He caught the kickout from Tatum and instantly attacked the rim for the explosive end:
3. We weren’t going to bury Jayson Tatum too deep within the Takeaways. He was fairly terrific too. Tatum scored 40 factors on 14-of-21 capturing, and he bought to the charity stripe for 9 extra free throw makes an attempt too.
When Tatum attracts an enormous, he’s not settling for simply attending to his step-back anymore. This can be a good drive previous Wendell Carter Jr. for the floater off the glass:
Paolo Banchero is enjoying splendidly to begin his NBA profession…however he’s not prepared for the hesi, spin-back from Tatum but:
Orlando gave Boston hassle with a few totally different zone protection appears. However the Celtics ultimately bought again to what labored to beat zones final yr: Tatum working from the nail. That is straightforward cash for Tatum:
With Orlando clinging to life, you simply knew it was coming. Tatum side-step dagger:
There are not any three-game MVPs, but when there have been, Jayson Tatum would win the award.
4. Al Horford sat out as a result of he “simply didn’t really feel proper” in line with Joe Mazzulla. Possible, it was extra of a relaxation day for Horford on the second night time of the back-to-back than something really worrisome.
However Mazzulla took a long-term method with extra than simply Horford to this one. Each Luke Kornet and Payton Pritchard made their season debuts. Grant Williams noticed elevated minutes, whereas Malcolm Brogdon’s minutes ticked down only a bit. And Blake Griffin performed 10 minutes after a DNP in Miami.
Total, Mazzulla is making an attempt to win video games, however he’s additionally making an attempt to handle minutes as effectively. It’s a troublesome steadiness, however the rookie head coach appears to be attaining it up to now.
5. The Celtics ran some actually good units and had some glorious ball motion in opposition to the Magic. Boston had 24 assists on 42 baskets, in opposition to simply eight turnovers.
That is an inverse set. Noah Vonleh does the preliminary ballhandling on the perimeter, whereas Jaylen Brown and Derrick White work off-ball. Then, Brown finishes the play with a terrific dime to the slicing White:
Drive, kick, swing, splash:
In a contract yr, and with the best way he’s capturing it, Grant Williams might take this shot. As a substitute, he makes the additional go and White drills the nook triple:
Talking of Grant Williams…he’s doing plenty of stuff off the dribble now. This can be a very nice go to Payton Pritchard within the reverse nook:
6. Malcolm Brogdon has already constructed actually good chemistry together with his shooters. He’s persistently delivering on-time passes proper within the capturing pocket. Sam Hauser being computerized additionally helps Brogdon wish to hold setting him up like this:
And Brogdon can get his personal when he must, too. That is good ball motion and good endurance by Marcus Good to not shoot off the catch and to let Brogdon relocate for a greater look:
7. Luke Kornet needed to make his previous teammate Daniel Theis smile after executing the Theis Seal completely right here:
8. Not having Al Horford left room for different bigs to contribute. Noah Vonleh drew the beginning, however he battled foul hassle all recreation. However Vonleh was energetic and labored exhausting. And this was a fairly candy putback:
Blake Griffin is all smiles on the Celtics bench up to now. And when he’s gotten in video games, he’s made some performs too. This hustle play had everybody on Boston fired up for the veteran huge man:
9. Marcus Good didn’t do a lot as a shooter or scorer, however he led Boston with eight assists. And that is the Defensive Participant of the Yr making a DPOY play when his group wanted one:
10. The Celtics take their 3-0 document north to complete the three-game street journey on the Chicago Bulls on Monday night time. Chicago has dropped two in a row, together with a blowout loss on Saturday night time, however Boston is aware of it’ll be a tricky matchup. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine will attempt to hold tempo with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. This one may come right down to who makes extra performs out of every group’s non-All-Star group.
Monday night time additionally contains a uncommon Boston-Chicago double dip. Whereas the Celtics will probably be enjoying on the Bulls, the New England Patriots will probably be internet hosting the Chicago Bears. Monday is a two-TV night time in Boston for positive.
