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With out Al Horford, Robert Williams or Jayson Tatum within the lineup, the Boston Celtics have been trotting out unorthodox lineups in opposition to the 50-win Milwaukee Bucks. The second recreation of a back-to-back only a week earlier than playoff motion begins, Ime Udoka noticed this journey as an ideal alternative to let key guys relaxation.
The Celtics misplaced 127-121 and dropped to the third seed within the East because of this. The glass-half-empty strategy would see this recreation’s late collapse as a continued signal of issues the C’s have in closing out video games; the C’s led 121-118 with 2:30 to play and didn’t rating once more.
The glass-half-full strategy would see the worth in hanging with the full-strength Bucks whereas shorthanded. In actual fact, there have been many constructive performances forward of the postseason value highlighting.
Jaylen The Creator
Brown was glorious within the alpha function on Thursday, posting the second triple-double of his profession. His 22 factors, 11 assists and 10 rebounds confirmed how he actually did every part for the Celtics. Most notable was his passing, because the 11 dimes tied a season-high.
Brown operated extra inside ball screens than he usually does, and he seemed mighty snug there. Whereas the behavior of leaving his toes earlier than making a cross will not be the best one, he can regulate late and discover the open man. The results of his creativity was open 3-point makes an attempt for his teammates:
Typically the brilliance of Tatum prevents us from recognizing simply how rattling good Jaylen has gotten. He’s such an excellent creator, an aggressive scorer and a tremendously well-rounded participant. Heading into the playoffs, this was a pleasant reminder of how good Jaylen is and that the mix of him and Tatum is what makes the Celtics so particular offensively.
White Scorching
When the Celtics gave up a first-round choose on the commerce deadline to accumulate Derrick White, the response among the many Celtics trustworthy was combined. His arrival coincided with Boston’s main ascent within the East, however he by no means actually arrived on offense. He solely shot 21.6% from 3-point vary in his first 17 video games within the inexperienced and white.
He’s discovered the vary of late, although. Since March twenty third — an eight-game pattern — White is 50% from deep. Thursday was his crowning achievement, going 4-8 and making some huge photographs within the first half. White had a fast set off, too, taking and making huge ones as quickly because the ball fell in his arms.
White changing into a dependable, constant 3-point risk proper in time for the playoffs often is the greatest addition this Celtics crew might get apart from full well being. He’s been large in each different side for the C’s.
Hauser’s Time
The Celtics have performed an eight or nine-man rotation for a lot of the final month, and that’s prone to proceed within the postseason. As accidents have reared their head, the Celtics do want somebody prepared within the “subsequent man up” place to log some essential minutes. In the event that they want a wing shooter, we could also be on the level the place rookie Sam Hauser has surpassed Aaron Nesmith within the rotation.
Hauser had three triples early, completed with 11 factors and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes and was computerized in the appropriate nook.
Nesmith was out of rhythm but once more, lacking all three of his 3-point makes an attempt and dropping him to a mere 27 p.c on the season. Hauser — just a little greater at 6’8” — is over 40% on the season and is 10-23 in video games the place he performs ten minutes or extra. He’s constant, and that dependability is extra essential within the playoffs for a task participant than something.
The draw back to any Hauser minutes, ought to he crack the rotation for a minute or two at a time, is on the defensive finish. Opponents can goal him, and he isn’t that switchable. As quickly as he checked in, the Bucks have been capable of get mismatch posts for Giannis the place he was coated by Hauser. The rookie merely isn’t robust or savvy sufficient to win that battle, and bought beat for a catch-and-finish layup after an Antetokounmpo seal:
Hauser was transformed from a two-way to an ordinary contract again in February in order that he will be eligible for the Celtics within the postseason. This recreation ought to function proof to Udoka that he needs to be forward of Nesmith within the playoff pecking order, even when he’s extra of a defensive fear than Aaron.
Theis the Bucket
Marcus Good and Daniel Theis stored the Celtics’ offense afloat within the third quarter, particularly within the moments when Jaylen sat. Theis was impactful as a curler, a 3-point shooter and was in a constructive groove on each ends. The pick-and-roll chemistry between he and Good was notable as a weapon the Celtics might go to, particularly within the first spherical. In moments when Tatum or Brown sit and Theis comes off the bench, the two-man PNR combo could possibly be very potent.
That tandem helped the Celtics crawl again from a ten-point halftime deficit. Time and time once more Theis has been the proper insurance coverage coverage huge, and he could also be adequate to assist the Celtics keep afloat with out Robert Williams.
The playoffs are virtually upon us, with yet another common season recreation remaining. Udoka and this crew have earned the advantage of the doubt. It doesn’t matter what seed they safe, the Celtics are a resilient and hard group prepared for the playoffs. The reserves gaining confidence in a decent recreation in opposition to a playoff crew might go a good distance in a number of weeks.
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