#1 – Boston defensive collapse
The Celtics entered the game with the 7th-best half-court defense in the NBA, allowing 95.9 points per 100 possessions. Last night, the Knicks scored 122.5 points per 100 possessions in half-court situations. And the worst defensive stretch happened six minutes before the final buzzer, when the Knicks decided to hunt Neemias Queta.
At first, the Portuguese big man was matched up with Josh Hart so he could roam around the paint. Therefore, the Knicks changed their approach and used Hart as a screener
to involve Queta in the action and take away his rim protection.
The Celtics quickly changed their coverage and put Queta back on Karl-Anthony Towns, who is slower than Hart on cuts. Yet, they couldn’t stop that two-man action either. Queta’s positioning was either too aggressive or too low on the ball screen, leading to passes for the roll man.
The Celtics then tried to switch the screen to take away the pass to the roll man, but that created a mismatch for Jalen Brunson, who is elite at getting to his spot against a taller defender.
Look how precise the Knicks were at attacking Queta. They switch the screen order between Hart and KAT so they can involve the Celtics big man on the second screen. Derrick White wants to help on the ball, and Jayson Tatum hesitates between covering KAT or Hart, leading to an open shot at the rim after great offensive manipulation from Brunson.
In four minutes, the Knicks ran seven pick-and-rolls to attack Queta and generated 13 points — 1.85 points per possession. Vucevic then entered the game to close it, but Hart’s daggers had already made the difference.
#2 – Dealing with drop coverage
The Knicks changed their coverage during the game but started with drop coverage when KAT was involved in the action. They were happy to leave Jayson Tatum open for pull-ups as long as the paint wasn’t available.
There was a counter, even if the shots weren’t falling for the Celtics’ go-to guy. Drop coverage often creates space for the roll man behind the defender when spacing allows it. Here, Queta rolls and Tatum finds him above the drop for a nice alley-oop.
Tatum wasn’t the only one taking advantage of it. Payton Pritchard took over the offense when #0 was sitting. This coverage gives him space to get to his spot with more speed and less pressure on the ball.
Pritchard has really improved his pick-and-roll manipulation. On the play below, a small in-and-out dribble freezes KAT just long enough to attack him and get to the rim.
The patience he shows in these actions is impressive. He waits for the perfect timing, attacks when the rim isn’t protected, puts his defender on his back, and spins for just enough space to finish.
But the pick-and-roll wasn’t the only offensive route the Celtics used.
#3 – Hunting Brunson
From the opening minutes, the Celtics targeted Jalen Brunson. With Brunson matched up on Sam Hauser, Boston used movement to bring him into actions. This created gaps in the Knicks defense, allowing Tatum to drive and kick to Derrick White for an open three.
In transition or semi-transition, the Celtics also made sure to attack any mismatch involving Brunson.
Forcing switches onto Brunson is one of the best ways to pressure the Knicks, so the Celtics consistently looked for it. Screen, post-up, read the help, find the open man — simple execution.
#4 – Vucevic and Tatum pairing
Last night was a great opportunity to see how the team functions with both Vucevic and Tatum on the floor. What stood out clearly was the offensive upside.
First, it creates one of the best spacing lineups, especially in the frontcourt.
On top of that, Vucevic opens a door that has been mostly closed since the Kristaps Porzingis trade: the pick-and-pop. Until now, most ball-screen actions involved Queta’s verticality in pick-and-roll situations. Vucevic brings a different dimension.
On this play with Tatum, the pick-and-pop shows its value. Not only can Vucevic shoot, but he can also attack a closeout and create for others.
The duo will need time to build chemistry as the playoffs approach, but Vucevic’s screen quality, IQ, and skillset will create opportunities for Tatum.
#5 – Jayson the PG
In April, Jayson Tatum is close to eight assists per game, and this was another example of his growth as a passer. While his ability to pass on the move remains impressive, it’s also interesting to see him used as a more traditional point guard.
For perspective, he made 77 passes last night. No other player on either team had more than 60. He initiates most actions when he’s on the floor, acting as a creator, driver, and even a quarterback.
This play might be the best example. The Knicks defense collapses, he reads it instantly, and delivers a perfect pass to Pritchard, who swings it to Vucevic.
#6 – Please meet Scheierman
CBS Sports analyst Ashley Nicole Moss apparently didn’t know Baylor Scheierman. Now she does.
Last night was another example of his two-way impact. As Jordan Walsh struggled defensively against Brunson, Scheierman stepped in and played 30 minutes. He contested 13 shots — the second-highest total for the Celtics — showing real defensive activity.
But he stood out even more for his offensive efficiency. He scored 20 points on just eight shots — one of the most efficient scoring nights you’ll see.
He was also clutch, scoring nine of his 20 points in the final five minutes, including his signature side-step three.
Safe to say he looks playoff ready.
#7 – No Hugo?
Speaking of Scheierman, it was surprising not to see his best friend get minutes. In the previous matchup against New York, he showed elite defensive versatility against both Brunson and KAT.
Given the defensive struggles, it would make sense to see him more in a potential playoff matchup.
#8 – Dealing with the intensity
The Knicks beat the Celtics at their own game by forcing turnovers through discipline and intensity.
On this play, Mitchell Robinson is extremely aggressive on Vucevic, and his length disrupts the action completely, leading to a turnover.
Tatum also struggled with the Knicks’ pressure, committing four turnovers in the fourth quarter alone.
Like in their last playoff matchup, the Knicks raised their defensive level at the right moment, while Boston couldn’t respond.
#9 – Hart causing trouble
The Celtics were once again hurt by their coverage on Josh Hart. As shown earlier, he’s dangerous as a screener, but Boston also chose to leave him open.
That approach is risky now. Hart is shooting close to 40% from three this season. The Celtics often help off non-shooters, but the Knicks may be too balanced for that strategy.
#10 – 332 days later
“I was done with basketball,” Jayson Tatum told Taylor Rooks. Thankfully, he returned after suffering an injury 333 days ago at Madison Square Garden.
Seeing him back on that court was meaningful and highlights the work he has put in to return to this level. He said he went from feeling like Superman to the smallest man on earth — and is now somewhere in between.
That’s a good place to be heading into the playoffs.
