Efficient Tatum shows C’s might in brief showing against Grizzlies

Sunday was precisely what the physician ordered.

The Celtics had one thing to play for: win in Memphis on Sunday and the Celtics wind up because the 2-seed within the Japanese Convention Playoffs. Whereas some groups (just like the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers) took the trail of resting their stars an additional day for playoff well being, first-year head coach Ime Udoka determined to maintain the beginning 5 within the lineup in opposition to the Grizzlies — who had their very own playoff seed sewn up and didn’t play their regulars.

Matchups within the first spherical weren’t of consideration to Udoka, as he seen home-court benefit and the method of attempting to win as many video games as potential as extra vital than steering in the direction of or away from sure opponents:

The choice to play their regulars paid off in a giant means in opposition to Memphis, as Udoka received precisely what he set out for. The Celtics gained 139-110, locking up the second seed and home-court benefit within the Japanese Convention Semifinals. The regulars had been dominant within the opening quarters, taking a 23-point lead into halftime that allowed Udoka to relaxation the starters. No main accidents had been incurred (regardless of a barely worrying second when Marcus Good took an elbow to the jaw). A whole success.

Tatum was the catalyst for the new begin, going nuclear in solely 26 minutes. He completed with 31 factors on 11-14 capturing (6-8 from 3-point vary) and was a game-high +29. He closed the half with a dominant, nasty transfer on rookie Santi Aldama that gave him a four-point play and pushed the C’s lead again into unreachable territory:

The C’s labored on a couple of counters to get Tatum open proper out of the gate in methods that may foil widespread playoff protection. With Jayson main the C’s in scoring, he’s prone to get further consideration on the scouting report. The Grizzlies tried a standard technique, generally known as top-locking, in opposition to Tatum the place they might keep between him and the ball to drive him away from coming off screens or handoffs.

Udoka referred to as up a counter for him out of a Horns set that led to an open backdoor within the first quarter. The fine-tuning of their playbook and wrinkles to learn a protection, gaining chemistry inside the first unit, is the largest takeaway from any sport the place the result is never doubtful:

Different Celtics had constructive moments, too. Al Horford was his typical, environment friendly self and performed actually strong protection. Jaylen Brown had 18 factors in 23 minutes. Daniel Theis completed with a double-double in 26 minutes and had a pleasant putback slam.

The second unit and bench guys had a strong exhibiting, sustaining the lead and letting these stars relaxation. A spotlight was the play of Malik Fitts, who completed with 7 factors in 9 minutes and had a thunderous rim assault and slam:

Others performed properly, too. Payton Pritchard stored his scorching capturing up, going 2-5 from 3-point vary with 12 factors on the evening. Luke Kornet went 5-7 in prolonged minutes, vital for the remainder of each Al Horford and Daniel Theis. Each Sam Hauser and Aaron Nesmith drained a 3-pointer. Everybody received in and everybody scored.

Relaxation is vital for the Celtics, and the nice vibes from the bench had been improbable. However most important to their success within the postseason will probably be chemistry and maintaining the momentum the Celtics have constructed over the previous few months.

From a training perspective, there’s all the time one thing to play for — even when a victory doesn’t add or change something to their spot within the standings. Any time a sport is performed, habits are fashioned and people habits come again to both assist or damage the workforce when the video games get powerful. As Marcus Good stated in his postgame interview, conserving the rhythm alive was an vital objective for the workforce on Sunday.

We’ll anticipate whoever comes out of the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers matchup to see who the Celtics play within the first spherical. Both means, it shouldn’t matter. Deliver on whoever needs to do this C’s protection. So long as we’re at full energy and cohesive, no first-round opponent ought to give us a scare.