The Boston Celtics dominated the Washington Wizards in the nation’s capital, with their revamped defensive approach playing a pivotal role in the victory.
Before the season, coach Joe Mazzulla talked about
playing to the strengths of his new roster. On offense that meant welcoming the idea of taking fewer threes as the Celtics lost some of their best shooters. This year, Boston is taking five fewer per game and attempting the second most mid-ranges per game after being 17th in attempts from there last year.
On defense though, they’ve decided to lean on trying to create chaos.
After a career high 22-point night, Jordan Walsh said, “Usually, I feel like in the past two years at least since I’ve been here, we’ve kind of been a sit in our shift, kind of like let them play one on one, we’re not really helping too much and now this year, it’s all about helping the other guy out.”
He also noted that the Celtics are willing to “live with a kick-out three,” explaining that they trust their ability to get a strong contest. However, he emphasized that while they can live with perimeter shots, “we’re not allowing anything in the paint for the most part.” The numbers back this claim as the Celtics allow the second fewest points in the paint per game at 41.4. Opponents also shoot the 4th furthest away from the basket vs. the Celtics in terms of average shot per foot.
Against the Wizards, they were fueled by 14 steals that produced 29 points on the way to a 45-point win. What stood out to me specifically, was how great their defensive timing was in help when an opponent turned their back.
On one of his streams, Jaylen Brown (accompanied by Walsh) let us in on this important tactic.
And attack they did, especially on spin moves.
In this first sequence, Anfernee Simons holds his ground on the drive, opening his chest to absorb the contact. With Sam Hauser in ideal help position, Khris Middleton is forced into a counter-spin, where Derrick White is waiting to shut down the lane.
Next, Walsh and Josh Minott play this perfectly. As Tristian Vukcevic comes to screen, they both make sure they have hands on him, so the switch pocket stays as small as possible. Walsh then goes for his usual body up then reach combo which knocks the ball loose. It looked like Kyshawn George was going to retrieve the ball, but Minott being in the right position allows him to pounce.
The Celtics’ smaller guys have been doing a great job of giving the defense a chance. It’s tough to guard guys bigger than you in the post but fighting hard and not allowing a quick score or blowby forces the bigger guy to do more moves which results in more time for the others to help. Payton Pritchard gives up ground slowly on Middleton but is able to force two spin moves. Simons times his dig perfectly with the second one and steals it.
They give up an offensive rebound here, but the relentless pursuit of the ball we’ve seen all year never wavers. Baylor Scheierman saves a shot attempt with his hustle.
“It’s all about helping the other guy out” was on full display on this one. Will Riley has a favorable matchup on Luka Garza, so he takes him off the dribble. Hugo Gonzalez helps Garza, which forces the pass. Garza does a solid jump getting to Gonzalez’s man but the extra help from Baylor is what gets the ball loose.
This is the play that originally got my antennas up about the no turn around defense. It really feels like an automatic trigger for the guys.
