The NBA’s storyline creators must seek fresh inspiration. Miami’s triumph over Boston despite shooting over 50% feels like tired, overused material. Nevertheless, Wednesday night unfolded precisely in that manner, though a subplot simmered beneath the surface. Despite Miami’s impressive accuracy, they managed only 111 points, a stark contrast to the Celtics’ usual 120-plus average. Game 2 presented a ripe opportunity for the Celtics, which they regrettably failed to seize.
If I were to speculate, I’d venture that Erik Spoelstra finds solace in Monty Python’s ethos of “…and now for something completely different.” Picture Udonis Haslem trailing him with clacking coconuts, mimicking a trotting horse to underscore the point.
In Game 1, Miami strategically flooded the paint, leaving shooters open and challenging the Celtics to make threes, which they did with remarkable success.
However, Miami pivoted in Game 2, catching the Celtics off guard. Instead of help defense, they opted for aggressive switches, pressuring the Celtics to create offense individually.
Spoelstra’s gamble paid off, evident in the Celtics’ plummeting offensive rating from an elite 129.5 in Game 1 to a below-average 108.6 in Game 2. While improvements in decision-making and overall play are necessary, particularly from key players like KP, another adjustment looms glaringly for the Celtics: prioritize Jayson Tatum’s involvement.
But Coach Spoelstra — pardon, Wayne — Tatum already dominates in touches, you might argue.
Let’s clarify, it’s not merely about the quantity of touches but the quality. In Game 1, Tatum effectively drew defensive attention before distributing the ball. However, in Game 2, that tactic vanished, leading to a catastrophic offensive performance reminiscent of Wile E. Coyote’s misadventures.
Tatum must take on a greater role as the primary playmaker against Miami’s defensive strategy. With their frequent switches and reluctance to provide help defense, sometimes the solution lies in winning one-on-one matchups. Once Tatum draws help, it opens opportunities to manipulate the defense, create driving lanes, and generate open shots, particularly from beyond the arc.
Comparing Tatum’s dribbles per touch and seconds per touch in the playoffs to his regular-season averages reveals a significant drop. He’s currently averaging 1.76 dribbles and 3.06 seconds per touch, down from 2.76 and 3.83 respectively. I’m not suggesting Tatum should monopolize possession in isolation scenarios, but he should operate as our primary ball handler more frequently to counter Miami’s defensive scheme, possibly through pick-and-roll sets.
Despite his underwhelming performance as a pick-and-roll handler during the regular season, Tatum has emerged as the third most effective pick-and-roll ball handler per Synergy (factoring in passes) in the playoffs. Every time we deploy him in this capacity against the Heat, he systematically dismantles their defense (let’s just ignore who holds the top spot). Not a single defender on their roster can contain him one-on-one except for Bam, and we have the flexibility to run this play with various screen setters against different defenders. While it may occasionally transition into isolation situations, that’s not a concern — Tatum can confidently take on opponents like Nikola Jovic in isolation matchups. (Note: This specific play initiates with a KP screen, although it’s unfortunately cut off in the NBA’s video.)
It appears evident to me that Jayson Tatum is the most at ease among Boston’s ball handlers when confronting Miami’s defensive schemes. While Jaylen performed admirably in Game 2, utilizing him primarily as a finisher seems to be the optimal strategy. Dealing with a switching defense that occasionally necessitates isolation possessions requires someone capable of breaking it down effectively. Among the Celtics, nobody seems better equipped for this task than Jayson Tatum. Sometimes, in the playoffs, it’s essential to place your trust in your star player and build your strategy from there, and Tatum is more than capable of rising to the challenge. Celtics in 5.
