After a 13 day West Coast road trip, the first game back can be tricky.
We just saw what the Pacers are capable of in a game like this, even without Haliburton.
Winning the games you’re supposed to is just as important as winning the big matchups.
It seems like whatever Al Horford said to this team the other day has clearly worked.
Love Al for that.
Maybe the most important part of these last two big wins?
The Celts didn’t blow a huge lead.
There was no sweating the 4th quarter, no reverting back to bad habits and playing like assholes.
Just play the right way and everything will take care of itself.
This win isn’t really about the Pacers.
Who cares that they beat the Pacers.
This is about the Celts and making sure they continue to take steps forwards.
Build on their momentum and finish the year strong.
If that’s in the 1 seed or 2 seed, so be it.
Just get back to playing the way we know they can and they’ll be fine.
Last time I checked the win counts all the same.
With that said, let’s dive in.
Only some of the greatest Celtics in the history of the entire goddamn franchise, no big deal.
In the end,.
Tatum finished with 34/7/2 on 13-24 (3-9) and a team best +23 in his 32 minutes.
There are a few things I love about that line.
I love how his minutes were low (for him).
I’ll take 32 minutes every day of the week at this point of the season.
Then, there’s the efficiency.
What was the biggest difference in the Kings and Pacers games?
Everything was at the rim first in both games.
Basketball doesn’t always have to be complicated.
If you’re struggling offensively, get your ass in the paint.
Find easier/closer looks and get to the FT line.
Whether this is Tatum recognizing this or it’s Joe telling him, I don’t really care.
I’m just glad it’s happening.
Just a little 27/7/4 on 10-23 (3-6) in Jaylen’s 33 minutes.
As dominant as Tatum was in the first quarter, that’s what Jaylen did in the 3rd.
The man who declared that the energy was once again about to shift, was doing all the shifting.
I also want to shoutout Jaylen’s defense.
At times, Jaylen can be inconsistent on that end, especially off ball.
Since he came back with the mask?
He’s been practically lights out on that end.
A true two way monster.
The two best players look to be locking in right at the perfect time.
When the Jays have it cooking like this, good luck.
But in most cases?
Watching him play, it’s very clear that this is a man that no longer hesitates offensively.
Look at how confidently he took those 3PA.
To me, that’s one of the the biggest changse in his season this year.
Not just the shooting splits, but the confidence and the approach.
Remember that brutal drought White was in from behind the arc coming out of the break?
Guy couldn’t buy a bucket.
That’s a big deal.
Or said another way…..
Even Joe knows
Rob changes everything.
Having Rob healthy and back to his old self is the only thing that matters right now.
When Rob is on the floor, players don’t even fuck with the paint.
If they do, bad things happen for them.
That physchological advantage is a weapon, and how this defense can go up a few more levels.
Players spend a split second wondering where Rob is and that ruins their entire flow.
It’s very similar to the backline defense we see the Bucks use with Giannis.
Players are worried about where he is at all times.
The same is true for Rob.
The Jays did the heavy lifting offensively.
Hauser came in and was locked and loaded (3-4 from deep).
Shit, even Grant did his job!
The approach and the mindset are the important part, not the result.
The Bad
- I need to know what Tyrese Haliburton has against this team man.
I don’t get it.
It’s not like the Celts passed on him at the Draft or anything so what is this beef?
By beef I just mean his desire to absolutely kill the Celts.
He was insane in the first two meetings and then had another 20/6/9 in his 28 minutes last night.
Haliburton plays like the Celts screwed him over or something.
Early in this game, he got whatever he wanted and the Pacers were right there.
- just grow up and stop missing 5 FTs every single game.
That is not acceptable for a team with such great FT shooters.
FTs and layups should be easy.
When we get into the playoffs, you cannot do stuff like this.
I’m not saying they have to be perfect, but look at that shot chart!
Maybe it is, but come on.
First, the fourth quarter TOs.
The team finished with 6, with Tatum having 3 by himself.
Lazy passing, poor ball control, that in no way was acceptable.
It’s not about the rest factor.
It’s about the fact that you are always one rolled ankle away from potentially fucking up your season.
It’s March 25th.
That has trap game written all over it.
