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Be forewarned: This can be a jumbo-sized version of the Takeaways. This may need been the Celtics greatest win of the yr, and there are two days off earlier than the subsequent recreation. So, seize a espresso, strap in, and luxuriate in!
1. There’s a brand new sample rising with the Boston Celtics. They form of really feel their approach via the primary half. Typically it’s sloppy (extra on that in a bit), however different occasions it’s simply type of taking part in to get the break.
However the second half begins and it’s like a distinct group. Keep in mind the third quarter woes of the ultimate few Brad Stevens-coached groups? These seem to be perpetually in the past now. Ime Udoka was requested what he says to the group at halftime and he jokingly stated, “You’ve got the Coach of the Month in there.”
Whereas that was stated with amusing, the reality is Udoka is just too humble to take the credit score. He’s fast to name his gamers out, however faster to name himself out. He’s additionally fast to reward his gamers, however reticent to ever take credit score himself. However Ime Udoka is that this group’s voice. It took some time for every part to fall into place, but it surely has, and the distinction is stark.
2. Postgame, Marcus Good stated it greatest when he was requested about Al Horford: “Al is the OG. Everybody stated he’s too previous, however he’s nonetheless bought it!” Nonetheless bought it’s proper. Horford completed with 21 factors, 15 rebounds (his most in additional than three years), 5 assists and two blocks. It began early with this putback for an and-1:
Horford went 4-for-8 on three-pointers in opposition to the Grizzlies. Making photographs like that is big for the Celtics offense:
This was a enjoyable play. The clip begins proper after Horford had handed out of a double-team. However the Celtics keep affected person and Jayson Tatum re-posts him in opposition to the mismatch. Simple cash for Large Al:
But it surely’s performs like this, at age 35, that make Horford particular. There are solely a handful of huge males within the NBA who can rip and run off a board like this and ship a spot-on lob in transition:
3. That elusive 5×5 recreation is coming for Robert Williams. He was shut on this one with 10 factors, 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks. And, after all, Williams made some eye-popping performs too.
Groups are going to depart him open once they can. Watching Williams calmly dribble into this jumper was like watching your child drive for the primary time. It was type of terrifying, however you had been so very proud in the long run:
Problem Rob at your personal danger. The very best a part of this play? He blocks the shot together with his left hand, which allowed him to keep away from coming throughout the physique and sure choosing up a foul:
4. As goes Marcus Good, go the Celtics. Good took 10 photographs within the first half, as he maybe tried to make up for the absence of Jaylen Brown. He additionally had three of Boston’s comically unhealthy 11 turnovers on the break. However Good additionally had 5 of his 12 assists within the first half.
We’ve stated it earlier than, however when Good is just operating the offense, good issues occur. In the event you go away Grant Williams by himself in his nook workplace, Good will discover him:
We all know Good loves the lob to Rob, however he’s completely joyful to put it down for Daniel Theis to complete too:
This was form of a multitude, but it surely positive was enjoyable!
This one is sweet, as a result of it’s wrinkle off the normal Good/Rob pick-and-roll. As a substitute of rolling, Williams flips to display for Tatum. The display isn’t essential, as a result of two Grizzlies caught with Good when Williams stayed again. That opened up the lane for Tatum to chop sans display for the simple layup:
5. That is the one unfavorable, nitpicky factor we’re going to say on this model of the Takeaways: Sufficient with all of the turnovers. Finally, it’s going to catch the Celtics. So lots of their giveaways on this recreation had been unforced, live-ball turnovers. Boston may need been blowing Memphis out on the half, had they not given the Grizzlies so many simple buckets after throwing the ball away.
6. Grant Williams is extension eligible this summer time. The Celtics’ most popular observe has been to lock gamers up on extensions earlier than they attain restricted free company. Williams’ worth retains going up with each good recreation he has.
Williams is a key rotation participant for Boston, however on this recreation, he was requested to play as a wing, versus his regular third-big position. Aaron Nesmith bought damage early on, and with Jaylen Brown out, it fell to Williams to step up on the perimeter. And he did.
On this play, Williams saved Ja Morant in entrance of him. That’s no simple job and Williams excelled at it right here:
If he’s going to be “Grant Williams – small ahead”, he has to make performs like one. This can be a nice drive into the hook-pass to seek out Marcus Good for 3:
It’d be simple for Grant to remain rooted within the nook on this play He’s taking pictures roughly 87% on nook threes this season. However Williams makes the sensible, completely timed minimize and will get rewarded with a layup:
7. Derrick White’s recreation is type of understated. He’s form of herky-jerky with the dribble, however he’s fast and decisive. White additionally has that “private tempo” the place he can sluggish himself down at precisely the correct second.
This play exemplifies all the above. Getting a layup out of a missed free throw just isn’t solely laborious, however nearly inconceivable. But, by pushing the ball, then type of slowing down and hanging for a millisecond on the finish, White makes it occur:
8. If this kind of play doesn’t make you smile, you don’t like basketball very a lot:
Bonus: Peep Luke Kornet. He sees what’s going to occur as Al Horford turns to face the basket. Then, it’s simply pleasure.
9. We saved the very best for final. The birthday boy himself. Jayson Tatum is 24. Or 19 for the sixth time. Whichever you like. However our child boy is all grown up now. He is likely to be perpetually 19, however he performs like a seasoned vet now.
A few years in the past, it felt like Tatum missed each one among these floaters within the lane. That observe has paid off:
It was once a chore to look at Tatum off-ball. There was a whole lot of standing round. Not anymore. He strikes with the very best of them now:
Double, lure or present even a bit of further assist, and Tatum will beat you with the cross. He places a bit of further zip on the cross, which caught Ja Morant, who was leaning simply barely in direction of the paint and didn’t permit him to get well:
Severely, maintain doubling, should you dare:
However as soon as a scorer, all the time a scorer. Eurostep right into a floater? C’mon now!
You may’t actually bump Tatum off his drive anymore. He’s too robust to let a bit of contact hassle him now:
After which the capper. Pleased Birthday Large Deuce! Pleased Birthday certainly:
10. The Celtics now get two days off. And they’re wanted. Ime Udoka stated Jaylen Brown would possibly be capable to play on Sunday, however that it could be a day-to-day factor together with his sprained ankle. Udoka didn’t have any actual replace on Aaron Nesmith and his personal sprained ankle, however stated that the group was hopeful it wasn’t as unhealthy because it seemed.
With wings at a scarcity, Boston signed Nik Stauskas to a two-year deal, contemporary off Stauskas scoring 100 factors over his final two G League video games. My kingdom for a shooter, proper?
Being shorthanded in opposition to a getting-healthier Brooklyn Nets group can be a problem. Nonetheless, this group has confirmed they’re as much as it. Anticipate TD Backyard to be raucous on Sunday afternoon, because the followers can have one thing prepared for Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and the Nets. However largely, it’s simply enjoyable to cheer on the blokes in inexperienced once more.
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