verything you need to know about the Celtics preseason finale win over the Charlotte Hornets, in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Celtics came out defending like madmen, suffocating the Hornets at nearly every turn. Aside from a handful of mistakes that led to easy Charlotte baskets, everything was challenged and difficult for the Hornets. The Celtics attacked relentlessly and put up 66 points at the half despite shooting 28% from 3. Jaylen Brown was the only one hitting with any regularity, and while the shooting picked up, Boston’s nine steals in the third quarter led to 12 points and a runaway blowout.
Payton & Queta connection 💥 pic.twitter.com/FbQL4LGzR5
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 20, 2023
THINGS I LIKED
The defense: Stifling. Smothering. Remarkable. Pick a superlative, all of them apply. They forced 24 turnovers, 22 of them steals. All those live-ball steals led to 32 points off turnovers, which accounted for almost all of their gigantic lead. They also blocked six shots and forced the Hornets to shoot 42%, but 38.8% through three quarters when it was starters versus starters
Winning without shooting: Boston has had a habit of letting up when their shots are falling, but not in this game. They played with a purpose in this game. No playing down to a bad opponent (and Charlotte looked baaaaad).
No let up: They led by 22 at the half and went out and won the third quarter by nine. Their defense in the third quarter was ridiculous. Basically, they avoided every bad habit that they’ve had in this game. Personally, I love it because I get to say “SEE!! SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T PLAY DOWN TO ANYONE AND YOU PLAY THROUGH SHOOTING SLUMPS??” … nothing like a good I told ya so.
Jayson Tatum: He was on a different level in this game. He was aggressive, he got into the post, he was on the boards, he defended.
Neemias Queta: Nice performance for him. He has a nice touch around the rim that allows him to get some and-1s. He worked well with Payton Pritchard. He’s an interesting case for the Celtics (more on that later).
Then, he navigated a pick-and-roll by getting the trail defender on his back, which forced the big to step up to challenge what looked like a floater, but it was actually a perfect alley oop to Queta. Great stuff.
Wowowowow that’s perfect basketball. That’s not an exaggeration. Everything in this clip is right. Guys are drifting to the right spots, making the right passes, making the right reads … This clip is so special I want to change my Facebook relationship status and introduce it to my parents.
THING I DIDN’T LIKE
Rebounding: I’ll nitpick a little because Brian Scalabrine was rightly making this point on the broadcast. The Celtics gave up too many corner crashes for offensive rebounds. It didn’t mean much and there’s no such thing as a perfect game, but it’s a correctable thing, so it needs to be corrected.
THING THAT MADE ME GO HMMM…
Luke Kornet DNP: Interesting decision. The plan seemed to be run Kornet with the regulars on Tuesday and then give Queta the nod tonight. I’m not sure what this means for the regular season but if Queta earns some time, it will make for an interesting decision-making process for Brad Stevens. Queta is on a two-way contract, and upgrading him would require another decision somewhere else.
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