On the surface, this had all the makings of your classic Celtics trap game.
Shit, we just saw it a few days ago against the depleted Mavs.
Had they been, there’s a high likelihood the Celts lose this game.
Instead, we witnessed another ass kicking.
Another dominant showing on the road to improve to an NBA best 22-6.
This is why I keep stressing that maintaining perspective is important when talking about this team.
It’s why all that fake outrage and panic over their collective slump made no sense.
As I’ve said before, this part of the NBA schedule is all about stacking Ws.
If that means going on the road and giving the Heat another belt to ass performance?
To be blunt, spacing is everything.
Maintaining their spacing is what helps open up driving lanes for Tatum to abuse smaller, weaker defenders.
Giving him the room to decide how he wants to attack his matchup is how he becomes unguardable.
If he wants to take a pull up 3PA, it’s there.
All of that comes back to spacing.
Sorry if that offends, but it’s the truth.
It’s why he’s arguably one of the most complete players in the entire league.
It was just a nice reminder that when he needs to, Al Horford delivers.
It’s why I’ll never, ever, ever worry about Al over the course of 82 games.
When we need him, he will be there.
There’s no issue with the offensive strategy or the approach, guys just need to make shots.
Funny how that works!
Putting the ball in the basket is actually good.
- I’m ready to declare it, I’ve seen enough.
Sam Hauser is officially #BACK
I’ll go back even further.
Make your open looks and play passable defense.
If you force them to beat you in the half court, they can’t.
Joe has coached circles around Spo for years now.
For Tatum to have 0 TOs (!!!)
against a Spo defense is a big deal.
For Pritchard to play 36 minutes and have 0 TOs (!!!!)
is a big deal.
He owns this matchup.
He also didn’t even take a FT!
He was on the perimeter, which is something this team needs to remember.
KP post ups are great.
They are a valuable weapon that the Celts should absolutely exploit.
But there is a time and place.
Personally, I prefer them to come in non-Tatum minutes when offensive efficiency is paramount.
When Tatum is on the floor, play 5 out with KP.
Even with an off shooting night Pritchard is able to find ways to impact winning.
- 1 lead chance, 0 ties with the Celts largest lead being 24.
On the road, shorthanded.
This team man, true Road Warriors.
The Bad
- What wasn’t so hot of course, was the Celts start.
Maybe it’s just me, but I put all of that slow start on the horrendous jerseys.
Enough with these things already.
All these embarrassing never should have happened losses?
I’d bet they were wearing these lime green disasters in a majority of them.
I find this surprising because nobody loves that arena more than White.
Especially on Derrick White Trade Day.
Even in blowouts you’ve got the option to’t execute in the final 12 minutes?
Why are the Celts still the worst 4th quarter team in the NBA?
Outside of that prayer comeback against PHI, it feels like the 4ths have been brutal ever since.
That 2022 Finals was so fucking fake man.
That’s probably going to haunt me forever if we’re being honest.
Had their starters played with a pulse, perhaps this game would have been closer.
- A Jordan Walsh DNP?
Especially when you were down a wing and a POA defender.
We now turn the page to the biggest challenge of the Celtics season.
Can they win their first home game following a road trip?
