Celtics continue to crush it defensively

https://fullcourtpress.bulletin.com/celtics-continue-to-crush-it-defensively/









Celtics continue to crush it defensively


Boston's defense delivered another gem, limiting Golden State to just 32 points in the first half - the fewest points the Warriors scored in a half of play this season - with an impressive road win.


Sherrod Blakely
Mar 16


Stephen Curry didn’t play in the second half because of a foot injury. Andrew Wiggins (illness) didn't play. didn't Draymond Green has a minutes restriction. And Klay Thompson is working his way back into big shot-making, game-playing shape.

You can use all the excuses in the world to explain away how Boston had little trouble disposing of the title-contending Golden State Warriors.

And your efforts, to be frank, would be a waste of time.

Because what we saw on Wednesday is what we have been seeing for weeks with the Celtics.

They aren’t just playing good defense.

They’re playing the kind of defense that’s trending towards historically being among the best we’ve seen in a long, long time.

Golden State, even with guys on the mend, has been an elite scoring machine this season.

At the half, they had a total - a total - of 32 points for their lowest half of play this season.

And while they were much better in the second half, it didn’t matter because Boston’s play at both ends of the floor was superior.

Their defense isn’t just one or two good players, either.

It’s a team thing; the kind that suffocates offenses and allows them to cruise ahead for wins even when they are not at their best.

Here are the Stars, Studs, and Duds from Boston’s 22-point win to kick off their last West Coast trip of the regular season.


STARS

Jayson Tatum: He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, but there was no mistaking Tatum’s input as the star of the game. For the game, he had a double-double of 26 points and 12 rebounds to go with four assists.

Jaylen Brown: Similar to Tatum, Brown did not shoot the ball particularly well. But the way he was able to attack the rim and score, along with the attention he drew which opened things up for his teammates, was impressive. He finished with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.


STUDS

Jordan Poole: The one consistent bright spot for the Warriors, scoring 19 of his game-high 29 points in the third quarter as Golden State tried to mount a comeback. For Poole, it was his eighth straight game with at least 20 points scored.

Robert Williams III: The points and rebounds don’t do justice to the impact that Williams had on this game. His defense was once stellar on so many levels, tallying four blocked shots while altering many others in just 23 minutes of court time to finish with a near double-double of eight points and nine rebounds.

Payton Pritchard: Sometimes it’s not the points scored, but when they come. That was the case for Pritchard who scored eight straight points in the fourth quarter - he would finish the game with 10 points of the game - to help Boston withstand a Golden State surge in the third.


DUDS

Derrick White: Even before he arrived in Boston via trade, White’s shot-making has not been good this year. In Boston, it’s gotten worse. Wednesday’s game against Golden State was yet another shot-making stinker for White who was scoreless after missing all eight of his shot attempts.

Stephen Curry: An ankle injury cut his night short in the first half. But even when he was healthy, Curry was a non-factor on a night when the Warriors desperately needed someone, anyone, to knock down shots. He finished with three points on 1-for-4 shooting in 14 minutes.


Bob
MY NOTE:  

Ranking......Team.............DefRtg
1------------Celtics---------105.5
2------------Suns-----------106
3------------Warriors------106.1
4------------Cavaliers------107.3
5------------Heat-----------107.4

.

Jay King @ByJayKing
about 1 hour ago
The Celtics have done it lately against better competition. Since the schedule grew more difficult at the beginning of March, they’re 6-1 with a 10.8 net rating. My story: theathletic.com/3191872/2022/0…


Bob
MY NOTE: Since March 1st we have played Atlanta, Memphis, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Detroit, Dallas, GSW. The only loss was the 3pt one to Dallas, a game we should have won. Atlanta, Charlotte and certainly Detroit aren't very good teams but Memphis, Brooklyn (despite their record), Dallas and GSW most definitely are.



.