1. That was extra prefer it. After a string of powerful video games, the Boston Celtics bought again on the blowout practice by demolishing the Washington Wizards within the second half. After dropping 70 factors within the first half, Boston scored 74 within the second half to cruise to the win.
The Celtics outscored the Wizards 74-43 after the break. Washington couldn’t discover daylight to attain they usually had no likelihood of slowing down Boston’s offense.
With three powerful ones remaining, all on the highway, the Celtics wanted this one. And so they left the house followers with a pleasant parting present from the common season. And as Grant Williams mentioned: they’ll see the followers once more quickly within the playoffs.
2. Jaylen Brown put collectively one other large scoring night time. He completed with 32 factors and solely performed briefly within the fourth quarter. Brown bought off to a different fast begin, with 13 factors within the first quarter. This was the primary of three consecutive three-pointers. Brown does a pleasant job of shifting as much as the open house and Marcus Sensible makes an ideal go right here:
In case you’ve performed basketball, when the opposite crew has nobody who can keep in entrance of you. Brown makes use of a slight little shoulder faux right here to separate the protection for the massive dunk:
Brown additionally had 5 assists. There’s nothing fancy about this go, however it’s stunning in its simplicity. Brown sees Daniel Theis has the smaller defender sealed off. Straightforward cash:
When Brown is absolutely feeling good, he makes use of his dribble to arrange his strikes. It’s a rapid-fire staccato of bounces ensuing within the swish of the online:
3. With Rob Williams out, Al Horford is being requested to do extra. He’s nonetheless carrying his sometimes large defensive load, however Boston is utilizing him much more as a facilitator of offense. Horford and Williams had developed nice chemistry. That’s coming together with Daniel Theis too, as it is a good big-to-big drive-and-dish:
Robust catch by Horford, however he is aware of the place he needs to go as quickly as he has it. On-time go to Grant Williams for the triple right here:
Horford is usually at his greatest when he rips and runs off the boards. This can be a excellent go to Jaylen Brown. One other enjoyable half? Take a look at Brown, Theis and Marcus Sensible all pointing to Horford for delivering such a stunning help:
4. Jayson Tatum didn’t need to do a lot scoring, however nonetheless got here up with 22 factors in 29 minutes. The place he stood out was as a facilitator. Tatum made some high-level reads on this sport, beginning early on. As he comes off the display screen, Tatum has the eye of 4 defenders. Even the baseline defender is taking a look at him, which opens the window for Tatum to search out Grant Williams in his nook workplace:
Tatum’s endurance as a passer has come a good distance too. That is good work to attract the protection, then let slightly visitors clear earlier than establishing Payton Pritchard for the triple:
In case you look initially of this clip, as Tatum dribbles into the display screen, Brown is already pointing that he’s going to chop backdoor. The go is put proper the place Brown wants it for the simple layup:
Tatum working within the put up may be one thing we see extra of within the playoffs. He does a pleasant job right here of staying affected person and utilizing his escape dribble earlier than discovering Al Horford for the three:
5. All of that passing from Jaylen Brown, Al Horford and Jayson Tatum was a part of a whopping 39 assists for the Celtics on the afternoon. These three gamers, plus Marcus Sensible mixed for twenty-four of these helpers.
Even larger? These 39 dimes got here in opposition to simply seven turnovers. After a couple of video games of sloppy ballhandling in a row, Boston cleaned issues up. Ime Udoka mentioned postgame, that’s the main target over this final week of the season: cleansing issues up. So far as turnovers go, the Celtics are off to an excellent begin.
6. Grant Williams talked about his current taking pictures droop and mentioned he simply needed to “maintain taking pictures” and that he had religion he’d discover the contact once more. After going 4-of-5 from downtown on Sunday afternoon, Williams is again as much as 41.8% on three-pointers.
This shot is an efficient instance of Williams feeling assured and the way a lot he has sped up his launch. There’s no wasted movement right here from catch to launch:
7. One man who has by no means lacked confidence in his shot is Payton Pritchard. Not solely is Pritchard an excellent shooter, however he’s an excellent shooter with deep vary. That issues for stretching out a protection and creating house. This one comes proper off the catch from what older followers will bear in mind as Dan Majerle vary:
8. Pregame Ime Udoka mentioned that he thinks Derrick White is lastly beginning to really feel comfy with the Celtics. On protection, Boston has requested him to be much more bodily and aggressive, even when meaning committing some fouls.
On offense, Udoka confused it was simply going to take a while. White’s fast processing of what to do when he has the ball is large for Boston’s scoring-game. This can be a actually good instance of how White works the in-between sport:
This can be a shot that neither Kemba Walker nor Dennis Schroder may get to fairly often, as a result of they didn’t have the dimensions. White is nominally their alternative, and having this one in his arsenal is sweet for beating playoff defenses:
9. To place a capper on issues, the Maine Celtics connection labored slightly magic once more:
You gotta love how the entire bench was up cheering that one.
Additionally, no highlights, however it’s price noting that Aaron Nesmith went off within the fourth quarter. He scored 11 factors, partially on 3-of-4 from behind the arc. That’s two robust video games in a row when Nesmith has performed. Perhaps, simply possibly, he can carve out a postseason function but.
10. The Celtics get a few days off earlier than hitting the highway to wrap the common season. The whole NBA is off on Monday, because the NCAA Match remaining takes centerstage. Boston will get in yet one more apply day, after which they head to Chicago and Milwaukee for a back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday.
That Bulls-Bucks set will resolve loads seeding-wise within the Jap Convention. Win them each, and Boston is the 2 seed, with an outdoor shot on the one seed. Break up them, and the season finale in Memphis on Sunday takes on some added significance.
Ideally, the Celtics will get to that remaining sport and it’ll play out with an entire bunch of reserves on the ground. However possibly it’s a must-win for seeding functions. Because it stands now, the Celtics want yet one more win or yet one more loss by the Bulls and the Raptors to clinch at worst the 4 seed and homecourt benefit within the first spherical.
For now, Ime Udoka says the crew isn’t centered on seeding. They’re centered on how they’re enjoying. Perhaps some “seeding shenanigans” will pop up within the remaining week, however don’t count on that till Sunday. Till then, it’s enterprise as regular for Boston.
