10 takeaways from Celtics’ narrow escape against Clippers

#1 – Jaden Springers Defensive Mission

Who would have thought that Celtics needed help to slow Kevin Porter Jr. Against Clippers’ bench? And who could have seen Jaden jumps like Celtics’ rescuer? Well, not me.

Despite Celtics facing a Clippers team missing Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, Kris Dunn and Nicolas Batum, Celtic’s things made things harder than expected. Fortunately, the team is resourceful and inmate one of their defensive jokers: Jaden jumps.

The guard moved up and played the last 17 minutes of the match. His mission was simple: Do what none of Celtics had been able to accomplish – prevent Kevin Porter Jr. In scoring. Jaden jumps was proud of the task and kept to Porter Jr. Like glue.

Springer did not lose him off-ball and refused to change when Clippers set screens. Thanks to his defensive abilities and the focus stole the ball four times in 20 minutes and contested Kevin Porter Jr.’s shot attempt as much as possible.

When Celtics fought offensively (111 offensive rating against Clippers last night), they needed Spring’s defensive energy to stop the bleeding. His boost from the bench helped the team close and win what could have been a trap match.

#2-Jayson Tatums Pick-and-Roll

Jayson Tatum’s pick-and-roll game has been a bright spot recently, and Celtics started the game with leaning into it. With a pair of step-up screens from Luke Kornet, Celtics generated two open threes:

And

By involving a third player like Sam Hauser, they found another way to punish Clippers’ drop coverage:

Here is another example where Payton Pritchard counterfeit the screen and moved to the Dunker site instead of pulling the weak side defender. This opened the corner again, thanks to another Jayson Tatum Pick-and-Roll:

Tatum also used his driving ability when the defense changed or brought a player to the level on the screen:

All in all, this was a fantastic view of Tatum’s development as a pick-and-roll creature. He continues to improve, and Celtics may want to lean on this approach more during the crisis.

#3 – Camper against Clippers’ Aggressive Defense

Celtics couldn’t get their attack into a consistent rhythm. Despite a solid shooting night (57.4 % EFG, 40 % from three), Clippers’ defense-the Defense-Mixing Zone, man-to-man and drop-Boston’s flow.

Celtics struggled to respond to Clippers’ physical character and the statistics reflect it. With only eight offensive rebounds and 16, penalties made the team the team could not match Clippers’ energy and determination from the bench.

#4 – Failed to hold the lead in the clutch

Celtics also struggled to keep their lead. In the last 60 seconds of the regulation, they saw their six-point pillow disappear. Of course, accidents played a role, and maybe Joe Mazzulla should have called Timeout before Jaylen Brown’s revenue. Still, it’s worth noting that Celtics has a defensive rating of 118 this season – 26 out of 30 teams.

Can that mean Celtics has to step up their defense in the last moments of close matches?

#5 – Jump in overtime closed the victory

On the offensive side, Celtic’s success found in overtime – thanks to their jumping shooting. They started the period of taking a quick six-point lead with two triples and held on just long enough to secure the victory.

Of their 10 shot attempts in overtime were nine hop shots. After the early triples, Celtics made only one of their next five attempts, which allowed Clippers to crawl back in the match.

Ultimately, Jaden overturned, the hero of the night, a crucial jumper down from the corner as Clippers left him open.

#6 – The grain at DJJ did not work

To take advantage of Clippers’ lack of shooting, Joe Mazzulla and his stab Luke grained the grain of Derrick Jones Jr. – A brave move. Jones Jr. However, is not afraid of shooting threes and can attack the edge effectively.

Celtics has tried this approach before putting the grain on TJ McConnell (Pacers) or Aaron Wiggins (OKC). Although this strategy can help with rim protection, it often leaves too much space for the player grainy guard. Last night, Jones Jr. mismatched fully.

Jones Jr. ended with a career height and exploited Celtics’ decision to hold on to this approach despite their early matches.

#7 – Clippers on fire from the middle class

Clippers had one of their best performances at medium distance in the season – a zone that Celtics is usually happy to leave open.

Clippers took 16 % of their shots from the long middle range (96. Percentile) and made incredible 71 % of them. This effectiveness from the least valuable zone on the track was remarkable.

#8 – Jayylen and Jaysons revenue problems

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown came together for 10 turnovers last night, and Clippers got the most out of them and converted 82% of turnovers for shooting attempts.

Eight of these revenue came in the second half, giving Clippers the opportunities they needed to stay in the game. Clippers’ defense knew which buttons to press, using hard stunts on Tatum’s drive:

And double-teaming brown in the post:

These revenue almost cost Celtics a much needed victory.

#9 – slides Jaylen Brown’s defense?

A worrying trend has reappeared – Jaylen Brown’s defensive lapses. While his defense on the ball peaked last season, especially in the final against Luka Dončić, his off-ball defense is still a problem. Last night was a perfect example.

Brown continues to lose sight of its defensive tasks on baseline cuts and actions from weaknesses. Usually his strong on-ball defense for these lapses compensates, but last night even his on-ball defense was under Pari:

This fall may be associated with his physical condition, something worth monitoring. For now, Brown’s defense is not at last season’s level.

#10 – second night in LA with Horford and Porziņģis?

Celtics are facing Lakers Tonight, hopefully with more focus and with all Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis back in the series. A back-to-back sweep in LA would be a boost for the team and fans.