In a bounce again win, the Boston Celtics defeated the Washington Wizards 112-94 on Sunday evening. A giant theme in Boston’s win was their offense, because the crew shot a scorching 21-of-47 from deep, compared to 15-of-32 from throughout the arc. Via their first six video games, the Celtics are first within the league on made three pointers (16.2 3PM/recreation), third in makes an attempt (40.5 3PA/recreation), and third in three-point capturing share (39.9 3P%).
“I like three pointers. I like math,” stated head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Celtics’ shot choice and high quality towards the Wizards.
“I like open threes, I like house, and I believe it’s an enormous energy of our crew. So, the factor we’ve to be taught on the offensive finish is precisely what you stated. Simply ensuring we’re getting the perfect precise shot each time down, and no matter if it goes in or not, it’s a superb shot. We did an awesome job tonight of, when the photographs weren’t falling, persevering with to compete defensively. I assumed that was nice.”
Boston’s offense has been among the best within the league thus far, whereas their protection had taken some steps again from being the elite stage it was below Ime Udoka within the second half of final season. There have been some strides made towards a lesser crew in Washington, because the Celtics held an opponent to below 100 factors for the primary time this season.
When requested if he observed something completely different about Boston’s defensive strategy within the win, Mazzulla stated, “I noticed the identical effort that we’ve had the primary (5 video games), however I noticed a dedication to the small print, and a dedication to the execution on each possession like we talked about earlier than the sport. Ya know, our guys are at all times going to play onerous, we simply should proceed to execute and be detailed, and extra constant, and we had been tonight.”
Rebounding has been a difficulty with the absence of Robert Williams, particularly on the offensive finish the place Williams would clear up the boards for a put again or swat the ball again out to the perimeter to maintain possessions alive. “Simply proceed to emphasize that every one 5 guys should rebound,” stated Mazzulla on how Boston can enhance on the offensive glass. “It’s one thing that we talked about, we simply can’t have guys leaking out, we are able to’t have guys within the paint. It’s all people’s duty, and we simply should make that dedication.”
There’s a common concern about Boston’s defensive numbers thus far this season, however for probably the most half, Mazzulla and firm aren’t stressing out over issues thus far. “Like I stated, I’m not as involved with the protection,” stated Mazzulla, “You already know, we’re fourth in shot choice protection and we’re final in mid-range factors per shot, and we’re first in mid-range frequency. A number of the stuff we simply should perform a little higher of a job, and like I stated, our effort is at all times there. We simply should execute constantly. The rebounding is a chunk to that, and we might do a greater job at defending with out fouling, however the total protection is one thing that we’ve to be affected person with, and on the similar time, get higher each recreation.”
The Celtics will look to maintain issues rolling as they tackle the Cavaliers on the street Wednesday, 7:30 pm EST tipoff.