That felt like a true contender reminding the up and comer who still runs the NBA.
Not just the East.
There are levels to this thing.
I saw a focused Boston Celtics right from the opening tip.
Everyone on the perimeter was going to have to hold their own because the backline was Lamar goddamn Stevens.
What we ended up getting was something all too familiar whenever the Hospital Celtics have to make an appearance.
The entire team showed up.
If someone touched the floor, they made a positive impact.
Now let’s talk about it.
He was dominant from the jump.
What was different about last night for Tatum was how his role also had to change.
While he only finished with 6, it felt like they came in big moments.
He answered the bell in that department while on the floor.
It was also nice to see him take good care of the basketball.
Did you know Tatum has finished with 3 or fewer TOs in 4 of his last 5 games?
Not only that, he’s been at 2 or fewer in 3 of those games.
Well, I have a working theory.
That Tatum, is Playoff Tatum.
That approach is what’s coming in the Spring.
- You know who else gets to the rim with ease?
This fella named Jaylen Brown.
He was inflicting violence at the rim at every opportunity while also playing extremely in control.
Tell me I’m wrong.
Looks the best it’s maybe ever looked in Jaylen’s entire career.
I wouldn’t want it any other way.
He has 12 assists and 1 TO.
Think of how massive that is.
On these B2Bs, we know Al is out.
Chances are, he’s not the only one.
These are the games where the Celts have to turn to their bench and rely on their production.
If they don’t get it, chances are it’s going to be a long game.
Last night, Payton delivered once again
Do you even remember Payton’s slump?
I sure don’t.
The Celts have only played 24 so I’d say that’s pretty damn good.
That’s how blowout happen.
The beauty of both is how they happened.
Pritchard getting his corner threes off great ball movement and unselfish play.
Guys willing to make the extra pass is the exact way you get rewarded by the Basketball Gods.
Then with Hauser, we had everything.
Sam Hauser becoming an elite shooter off movement is a very big deal for this offense.
He’s not just a stand in open space and catch and shoot.
Over Hauser’s last 21 games?
How does 48.8% from three sound.
I mean holy shit
- Of course, we can’t go too long without mentioning Derrick White.
Ho hum, just another near perfect display of basketball in a huge game against a good team.
This is EXACTLY how I want Derrick to play at all times.
Does he feel like taking a 25ft pull up 3?
Does he want to exploit his mismatch and get into the paint for a floater?
Sign me the fuck up.
Grip it and rip it.
Always has been, always will be.
You know who understands that?
Some nights it’s his offense, others his defense, sometimes it’s both.
Whatever it is, he answers the call.
- The same has to be said about Oshae Brissett and Lamar Stevens.
They absolutely answered the call.
To put it nicely, the Celts have gotten jack shit from both guys so far this season.
Both have shown great energy, but anything in terms of actual basketball production has been rough.
Last night though, we got their best games as Celtics.
- The Magic own one of the best defenses in the NBA.
That my friends, is embracing Mazzulla Ball.
Check
Made a shit ton of 3s?
Check
Took a shit ton of 3s?
Check
Moved the ball?
Check
Took care of the ball?
Check
Hit the 120 magic number (50-4 now)?
Without their inside presence, the Celt still matched ORL in points in the paint at 52 a piece.
They dominated fastbreak points 18-8.
And most importantly, they didn’t choke away a 20+ point lead.
A pretty decent 13-0 at home and 19-5 overall.
I am so in on Neemias Queta it’ll make your head spin.
We’re watching Rob-Lite.
I know when I see it and I see it.
If a team goes 2-2 in challenges, they shouldn’t be penalized for being right.
It’s not their fault the refs are blind as hell and are missing easy calls.
You should be able to keep a challenge for as long as it takes before you’re wrong.
A coach goes 2-2 on bad calls, but it’s the 3rd quarter.
Then you have a controversial play and he can’t challenge because he was too good at being right?
Yes, I only care about this because Joe went 2-2 on challenges.
It is dumb, you know I’m right.
- I’m trying my hardesst to not freak out over the outside shooting of the Celts best players.
Not just recently, but dating as far back as 10+ games.
KP, Jaylen, Tatum all being in the low 30s or below is concerning.
Not a big “c”, but still concerning.
you’re able to’t be 30% or worse.
Not when you’re the three highest volume 3P shooters the team has.
The Ugly
- I don’t know where else to put Tatum’s FT shooting.
None of this makes any sense to me.
Another brutal 6-9 last night, Tatum is now below 80% on the season.
This is the worst FT shooting season of his entire career.
No no, this is starting to become something.
The drop from 85% to under 80% is crazy, so what gives?
Is his form fucked?
Is it a lack of focus for just one second?
Our sample size is now large enough to the point where I can’t really ignore it.
Not that Jaylen has been any better, but him being around 70% is his standard.
We are NOT seeing Tatum at his standard from the line and I can’t say I love it.
He’s too good to be shooting this poorly from the FT line.
It has to get better.
- I don’t love the next meeting with the Magic coming at a weird early afternoon time.
That feels like a setup.
What the hell did the Celts to do the schedulemakers to get this bang out of start?
But hey, at least we finally saw that this team was capable of beating their boogeyman.
Give us 14-0 at home.
