Every single time it happened, the team immediately responded.
When they lost 5 of 6 in mid December, they responded by winning 4 in a row.
After back to back losses a few weeks later, they ripped off 9 in a row.
I guess the #1 seed is still alive?
And it would appear that the Celts have immediately responded after their 3 game skid?
Who could have seen this coming!?!?!
Welcome to the NBA in March.
Now don’t get this confused with the idea that the Celts have been playing their best basketball.
Often times they’ve played like assholes and deserve the proper criticism when that happens.
You don’t get more credit for it in the standings.
The goal is Ws.
Period, end of story.
My point is, seeing as how it’s March 18th, it’s been a long time.
But first, let’s talk about this win.
Boy did my mental health need it.
Considering they are the best duo in the NBA, that seems like a big deal.
With no Jerami Grant in last night’s game, no shit they both were dominant.
It was very clear we were watching a “no fucking around” Tatum approach.
How rare is that number?
With Jaylen, it was really just more of the same.
He’s been awesome basically every night since he came back with his mask.
The powers are too strong.
This playoff run needs Masked Jaylen because that guy is playing at like a 2nd team All NBA level.
We saw it time and time again last night.
That is what these two did for a full 48.
The good version vaults them into becoming a basketball juggernaut.
It also has nothing to do with his 5-8 (3-6) shooting numbers either.
I don’t give a shit about that the same way I wouldn’t if they were 2-8.
It never has been and never will be about Smart’s shooting.
It’s about his approach and his decision making.
It’s about his defensive energy and playing within himself while getting the best out of those around him.
That is when Smart, and the Celtics, are at their best.
That can come on a 5-8 night or a 2-8 night, that part isn’t what matters.
The same is true for last night.
I’ll take a team best +15 in 36 minutes.
What we saw is example 23462574218263 of why you want Marcus Smart on the floor to end games.
Against the Wolves, it was his late game offense.
Against the Blazers, it was his defense.
- The Celtics are at their best when the ball is moving and they are loving and trusting.
If the Celts continue to do those things, they’ll be just fine.
That’s the key in of energy and effort that swings games.
- Derrick White didn’t really do much offensively outside of making 8 FTs, but defensively?
We witnessed a masterclass.
We even got some blocked from behind jumpers because his ball pursuit is relentless.
That’s why I don’t really care about his 2-5 shooting or the 3 TOs.
Derrick still found a way to make a winning impact, and it came on the defensive end.
Then you had 7 TO coming from the starting backcourt.
Considering the Blazers defense isn’t even good, that’s slightly concerning.
If the Celts take care of the ball, they become untouchable.
Last night it didn’t burn them, but it will if they don’t tighten up.
- As a team, the Celts shooting 35.7% from three is more than good enough.
They’re 37-5 on the year when they shoot at least 35%.
The concerning part of course is that Jayson Tatum finished 2-11 from three.
His 3PT shot just hasn’t been there for nearly a month now.
If you look at his last 3, that number drops to 13.8%.
The thing is, it’s not as if these are all bad isolation side step 3PA.
We’re talking open/wide open ones too.
Since the break, Tatum is shooting just 33.3% on wide open 3PA.
He’s shooting 15% on contested 3PA.
This is about as clear a slump as you’ll ever see.
We’ve lived through this exact slump every year for 6 years.
It just usually doesn’t happen in March.
Good news is there’s plenty of time left to snap out of it.
This is the kind of shit that rubs people the wrong way and for good reason.
There’s no need to adjust your approach with 6 minutes left, just keep playing.
Don’t even give the opposition the ability to think a comeback might be possible.
I’d say for 42 minutes, this team played near flawless Celtics basketball.
That was asshole basketball.
Poor shot selection, turnovers, fouls (AND1s), it’s all how collapses happen.
That’s losing basketball.
For starters, the Celts have up 42 points.
That is beyond horrific.
That….cannot happen.
He finished 6-7 from the floor, 4-5 from deep and 9-11 from the line.
The Celts really struggle containing those guys.
Dame, Mitchell, Brunson, etc, that’s something that’s plagued this team all year.
But hey, a win is a win is a win.
They’ll beat you if you don’t play the right way and have the right approach.
