2 down, 14 to go.
In Game 1, things were over in a blink of an eye.
The game started and before you knew it, the Celts were up by 12.
Then it was 17.
Then it was 25.
Then it was 32.
An ass whooping like you read about in almost every possible way.
Heading into Game 2, my biggest concern was complacency.
Sometimes the effort and energy level are inconsistent because they just assume a win is coming no matter what.
Every game in a playoff series is basically its own little mini series.
Momentum in a series can shift so quickly, you cannot fuck around.
Don’t let the final score fool you, this was another ass kicking.
The Celts took an early punch from the Hawks right to the chin and didn’t flinch.
How would they respond?
Pretty fucking well if you ask me.
All the Celts did was what they were expected to do which is protect homecourt.
Teams who are 2-0 in the playoffs are 410-32 all time and 180-12 in the first round.
If the Celts win on Friday, this series is essentially over.
That’s why last night was so important.
Let’s talk about it.
Derrick White is a perfect Celtic.
He plays every single game no matter what.
Sprained ankle, or a ruptured ear drum, who gives a shit.
This dude suits up and plays hard every single second he’s on the floor.
The biggest “we not me” player that my eyes have ever seen.
Tell me I’m not describing the perfect Celtic?
You know who knew?
That is fact, not opinion.
You’re getting this punch in of production IN ADDITION to whatever the rest of the roster gives you.
Everyone from the fans to the coaches to the players knows the same thing when it comes to DWhite.
When he plays with confidence and doesn’t think, he’s an absolute force.
You watch him play and there is no hesitation in his game.
This is the version of White that makes the Celtics impossible to guard.
Oh yeah, and defensively?
He has Trae Young in absolute hell
59 possessions / 14 points / 5-17 shooting.
Enter Jayson Tatum
When I say Jayson Tatum is a generational Celtic, I am not kidding.
Oh, you want to double him?
OK, you morons.
Oh, you aren’t going to double him?
Enjoy watching him blow by whatever perimeter defender you put on him for an easy finish at the rim.
you’re free to see the Hawks' dilemma here.
Whatever they want to try and do, the Celts have an easy counter.
That doesn’t just mean scoring either.
It means rebounding, passing, defending, and playing a complete game.
That is what Jayson Tatum gave us last night.
He led the Celts in points and rebounds and was 2nd in assists.
He was aggressive and efficient, with 13 of his 22 FGA coming from inside the paint.
They’re cooked!"
It’s a huge part of their offense, no doubt about it.
In this series, the Boston Celtics are taking 33.0 3PA a night.
Out of the 16 teams in the playoffs, that is the 11th most.
So what are the Celts going to do if they can’t rely on 3PA?
The Hawks have zero perimeter resistance.
If you could’t stop the point of attack against this team, you have no shot.
There are just too many weapons.
It’s a true pick your poison that has no good option.
- If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times.
The importance of good guard play cannot be understated when talking about the ceiling of this team.
They are locking down on defense, playing selflessly offensively while fully embracing their roles.
Tatum and Brown are obviously very important to the success of this team.
But the guard play, that’s the head of the snake.
So far, they’re 2 for 2.
- Quick update on Mazzulla Ball.
You know, the style that is still undefeated in his postseason career.
People get caught up and think Mazzulla Ball is just shooting threes.
Mazzulla Ball is a way of life.
It’s locking in and playing together, moving the ball, defending, and overall just being dominant.
So far through 2 playoff games, I’d say Joe looks more than ready.
Is he able to calm everyone down and not let things get out of hand.
The answer last night?
- The thing about Al Horford is that he’s simply one of the greatest humans in existence.
A total of 111 of those have come as a Celtic.
So, essentially, Al Horford came to Boston and became the greatest playoff shooting center in NBA history.
- Sam Hauser’s defense is a legitimate weapon.
It didn’t matter who it was, Hauser had them in jail.
When going at Hauser, the Hawks finished 5-12.
Dejounte Murray/De’Andre Hunter took the majority of the FGA against Hauser, and they finished just 2-7.
- With a fucked up hand, Jaylen Brown is shooting 51/40% to start this series.
We know that because we’ve seen it.
If the Celts take care of the ball, they are untouchable.
Stop giving opposing teams a chance to hang around by being careless.
It’s the playoffs, cut it out.
- Joe is going to kill me, I am certain of it.
I get having a shorter playoff rotation.
In the playoffs, it’s about limiting risk.
Your entire season can end by having guys on the floor at the end of these blowouts.
There’s no reason for it and no need for it.
This isn’t a “prevent burnout” thing.
He is not settling, he is being aggressive and attacking the rim, so what the hell?
The Ugly
- Easily the 19 OREB.
It was an issue in Game 1 and it was another issue last night.
That’s just way too many.
Some were maybe bad bounces, but the majority of those 19 weren’t.
Al only had 4 rebounds in his 32 minutes, Rob had 5 in his 22.
Jaylen only had 2.
Between this and the turnovers, the Celts are playing with fire a little bit.
Good defense is fine, but great defense is ending the possession clean.
The easiest way to ensure this is a quick series is to stop fucking around on the defensive glass.
At the end of the day, 2-0 is 2-0.
It’s impossible to have a better start, I did the math.
Now we have another 2 day break and then 3-0 is in play once we get to Friday.
Win that, rest up, and end this thing as quickly as possible.
