Last night was a nice win to get against an oppoent that played tougher than Philly. It was clear from the game that the Celtics have a lot more work to do, but wins are wins. The Celtics had 19 turnovers and 23 fouls, including having Brown and White in foul trouble late. The ball wasn't moving as we are used to, with only 17 assists in 41 made baskets. At times, this was reminiscent of the way the Celtics struggled (when they did) in the playoffs last year. The Celtics also had no answer for Bam Adebayo, who was a +20 in 35 minutes. By contrast, Duane Dedmon was a -18 in just 9 minutes, and some dude named Haywood Highsmith was a -9 in 4 minutes where the Heat tried to go small without Bam or Dedmon.
In terms of game flow, the Celtics took advantage of 2 early fouls on Bam to build up an 8 point first quarter lead, holding the Heat to 22 points. The second quarter was a back and forth even quarter, 29-29, so Boston took their 8 point lead into the half. In the second half, Miami made things interesting with a couple of big runs, but each time the Celtics were able to settle things down and counter with runs of their own.
This was another game where the Jays led the way offensively, though it was harded for them this time than against Philly. Tatum had 29 points, 5 rebounds, and team leading 4 assists, along with 2 blocks and a steal. Shot only 8-15 from 2 and 2-7 from 3, but added 7-7 from the line. Brown shot better (28 points on 12-18) but had to come out of the game in the 4th due to picking up off-ball offensive fouls as his 4th and 5th foulsand the Celtics iced the game with him on the sidelines.
Al played 34 minutes in this one, which I don't think was the plan with a game against the bigger Orlando team today. The plan was for him to play both ends of the back to back, but I wonder if they dial down his minutes tomorrow - maybe we do see Kornet debut tomorrow. Al's numbers were not great other than 3-5 from three.
Noah Vonleh played all the C minutes while Al was out and looked better than he did against Philly. He had 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks in 15 minutes and was a +10. He had 3 offensive boards, one of which led to a putback, another to a spin-move to beat a defender and dunk. I didn't know he had that in him. He didn't far well when matched up against Bam, but, then, neither did Horford.
Derrick White was Mr. First Quarter. It felt like he was everywhere. Strong perimeter defense, but also interior defense. Perfect shooting, which included a pair of catch-and-shoot threes but also getting to the line and hitting his free throws. Rebounding. Ended the first quarter with team leading 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He was considerably less effective in the rest of the game and had some foul trouble.
Marcus Smart was the erratic version of himself. He shot 4-9 from the field, 0-4 from three, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and... 5 tunrovovers to lead the team. He had stretches where he played very well and stretches where he was awful. He was effective in this one when he was able to drive. One of the emphases with Tatum and Brown this year is having them cut more, and there was a good example of hiow that can play out with Smart and Tatum. On one play, Smart drives with Tatum in the corner. Tatum's man helps off of him (why?), and as soon as his back is turned to Tatum, Tatum cuts to the basket. Smart finds him all alone under the hoop for an uncontested dunk. A couple of trips later, the Celtcs run the same action. Tatum's man looks at Smart but stays home and Smart drives to the basket and hits a nice, high off the glass layup. On a worse note, late in the game when the Celtics were trying to stave off the last Miami run, Marcus took (and bricked) a stupid early-clock three on one trip down the floor. It dsidn't end up mattering but had they lost it would have been a pivotal play.
Brogdon shot poorly (2 for 9) and his numbers as a whole were not good but he still made plays in spots. He had 3 offensive rebounds in this game, and all were basically the same: he drove, he took a shot, it missed, he rebounded his own miss. All in the third quarter, all in the stretch where the Celtics had settled down after the Miami run and were playing better. Only 3 assists, but a couple of them highlighted the vision he brings. The downside of his game was 3 turnovers, 2 that happened quickly when he first came in. Part of why he is here is to not do that.
Grant was the best bench player today. In 25 minutes he had 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and was a +15. He hit a couple of crucial shots late in the game to end the last Miami run. Shot 2 for 4 from 3 and 2 for 2 from 2. Continues to look comfortable driving closeouts.
Hauser got 13 minutes and showed well in this one. Shot 2-3 from three and added an assist. Maybe more importantly, in the tnird quarter Miami decided to try to hunt him, and he was able to hold his own. That's all he needs to be able to do for the Celtics to be able to keep him, and his shot, in the game.
In terms of game flow, the Celtics took advantage of 2 early fouls on Bam to build up an 8 point first quarter lead, holding the Heat to 22 points. The second quarter was a back and forth even quarter, 29-29, so Boston took their 8 point lead into the half. In the second half, Miami made things interesting with a couple of big runs, but each time the Celtics were able to settle things down and counter with runs of their own.
This was another game where the Jays led the way offensively, though it was harded for them this time than against Philly. Tatum had 29 points, 5 rebounds, and team leading 4 assists, along with 2 blocks and a steal. Shot only 8-15 from 2 and 2-7 from 3, but added 7-7 from the line. Brown shot better (28 points on 12-18) but had to come out of the game in the 4th due to picking up off-ball offensive fouls as his 4th and 5th foulsand the Celtics iced the game with him on the sidelines.
Al played 34 minutes in this one, which I don't think was the plan with a game against the bigger Orlando team today. The plan was for him to play both ends of the back to back, but I wonder if they dial down his minutes tomorrow - maybe we do see Kornet debut tomorrow. Al's numbers were not great other than 3-5 from three.
Noah Vonleh played all the C minutes while Al was out and looked better than he did against Philly. He had 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks in 15 minutes and was a +10. He had 3 offensive boards, one of which led to a putback, another to a spin-move to beat a defender and dunk. I didn't know he had that in him. He didn't far well when matched up against Bam, but, then, neither did Horford.
Derrick White was Mr. First Quarter. It felt like he was everywhere. Strong perimeter defense, but also interior defense. Perfect shooting, which included a pair of catch-and-shoot threes but also getting to the line and hitting his free throws. Rebounding. Ended the first quarter with team leading 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He was considerably less effective in the rest of the game and had some foul trouble.
Marcus Smart was the erratic version of himself. He shot 4-9 from the field, 0-4 from three, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and... 5 tunrovovers to lead the team. He had stretches where he played very well and stretches where he was awful. He was effective in this one when he was able to drive. One of the emphases with Tatum and Brown this year is having them cut more, and there was a good example of hiow that can play out with Smart and Tatum. On one play, Smart drives with Tatum in the corner. Tatum's man helps off of him (why?), and as soon as his back is turned to Tatum, Tatum cuts to the basket. Smart finds him all alone under the hoop for an uncontested dunk. A couple of trips later, the Celtcs run the same action. Tatum's man looks at Smart but stays home and Smart drives to the basket and hits a nice, high off the glass layup. On a worse note, late in the game when the Celtics were trying to stave off the last Miami run, Marcus took (and bricked) a stupid early-clock three on one trip down the floor. It dsidn't end up mattering but had they lost it would have been a pivotal play.
Brogdon shot poorly (2 for 9) and his numbers as a whole were not good but he still made plays in spots. He had 3 offensive rebounds in this game, and all were basically the same: he drove, he took a shot, it missed, he rebounded his own miss. All in the third quarter, all in the stretch where the Celtics had settled down after the Miami run and were playing better. Only 3 assists, but a couple of them highlighted the vision he brings. The downside of his game was 3 turnovers, 2 that happened quickly when he first came in. Part of why he is here is to not do that.
Grant was the best bench player today. In 25 minutes he had 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and was a +15. He hit a couple of crucial shots late in the game to end the last Miami run. Shot 2 for 4 from 3 and 2 for 2 from 2. Continues to look comfortable driving closeouts.
Hauser got 13 minutes and showed well in this one. Shot 2-3 from three and added an assist. Maybe more importantly, in the tnird quarter Miami decided to try to hunt him, and he was able to hold his own. That's all he needs to be able to do for the Celtics to be able to keep him, and his shot, in the game.
