Pretty much what you probably expected.
So yeah, it’s the 5th win of the year against the Hornets.
I imagine there won’t be a parade anytime soon so no need to get the duckboats ready.
But you know what?
It meant something to me, man.
We all know what things look like when that happens, yes?
Let me be very clear about something.
Jayson Tatum is off to an MVP caliber start to his season.
OK, no problem, Allow me to show you consistency
You wanted higher efficiency?
OK, no problem.
Tatum on the season is shooting 48/37% with a 63% TS%.
If he’s able to get into that 7-10+ range, that’s an easy 30 ball.
I also loved how he completely dusted off the Grant Williams bullshit.
One of the most insane decisions you’ll ever see on a basketball court
Tatum’s reaction was perfect.
He popped right back up, shrugged it off and went directly to the FT line.
Sort of like this
but to me I see that as mentally weak.
You’ve let the opponent break you and get in your head.
When they also get the good version of Jaylen too?
They are virtually unbeatable.
That, is a very, very big deal.
We also can’t ignore what Jaylen is doing on the glass.
I’m not sure how to explain the outside shooting, because his looks have been pretty good.
- The more Neemias Queta plays, the more my Rob-Lite declaration looks to be pretty accurate.
The upside is too good to not continue to give him legitimate rotation minutes.
For a team that shoots a lot of threes, offensive rebounding is pretty damn important.
You know who rules at offensive rebounding?
That seems pretty damn good to me!
Offensive rebounding is not only a skill, it’s a weapon.
On the defensive end, without Porzingis the Celts havereallystruggled in rim protection.
Teams are feasting at the rim and are converting at an alarming rate.
Queta helps solve that problem until KP comes back.
- Uhhhh, Jordan Walsh can hit C&S threes now.
In real games against real NBA competition.
I’m not lying I swear.
That’s how you earn minutes.
If you trust Mazzulla Ball, you will be rewarded.
I’ll say this about Jordan Walsh and his start to the season.
Every time he’s played, he’s held his own.
So far the answer is yes.
So far, that’s how things look.
They only had 6 fastbreak points all night.
Very quietly, Holiday is off to a 53.8% start from three on 4.3 3PA a night.
He’s been shooting the hell out of the ball and I feel like it’s gone mostly unnoticed.
The Bad
-Just a horrendous all around 12 minutes in that second quarter.
In no world should the Celts ever allow 42 points on 64/56% splits with 9 3PM.
Play with an ounce of intensity for me one time.
- This is apparently out of bounds.
Sick officiating to start the season.
It’s honestly incredible how there’s always something in every one of their games to start the year.
you could’t make this shit up.
He’s now 1 for his last 21 from behind the arc.
I also didn’t love how he started the game either.
- The Celts point of attack defense to start the year has certainly left more to be desired.
Oppoing guards/wings look way too comfortable attacking for my liking.
- It really does feel like the Celts are going to get the magnet ball game from everyone.
We saw it against the Pacers, the Hornets went 19-48 from deep last night.
Part of it may be the poor defense, but part of it is definitely some magnet ball bullshit.
- Tough night for Pritchard which I suppose he was due for.
I have no doubt he hits 3-4 3PM tonight as a response, because that’s what he does.
The Celts won by 15 after all and really that includes a garbage time make.
With these two teams playing again tonight, it presents another challenge.
The Hornets will surely come out motivated after how last night ended, so how do you respond?
Can you punch first again and break their spirit before they have a chance to get going?
Give your stars a light night on a B2B and keep the train moving?
