10 takeaways from the Celtics’ New Yr’s Eve blowout towards the Raptors

#1 – Transition protection is again?

Effectively, after all, it is only one recreation. But, the Raptors are top-of-the-line transition groups within the NBA. They’re third in transition quantity and seventh in factors per recreation in transition. On the opposite finish, the Celtics confronted some transition protection struggles over the primary months of the season. This recreation was an ideal problem for Joe Mazzulla’s workforce and a possibility to remind Celtics followers how nice they are often on protection.

After a tough begin for the Celtics offense, the Raptors confirmed how briskly they are often in transition, however the Celtics have been capable of catch up. Led by Derrick White’s effort, the defending champs have been disciplined and ran as quick as they might to show a straightforward transition right into a defensive cease. The previous Spur blocked 4 makes an attempt over the 27 minutes he performed. A formidable efficiency to complete the yr on a excessive observe.

#2 – Payton Pritchard’s tight deal with

One of many causes Payton Pritchard is so environment friendly is his deal with and skill to not lose the ball. Together with his taking pictures performances and low turnover fee, Payton Pritchard is likely one of the best gamers within the NBA. Solely Jimmy Butler, Cameron Johnson, and De’Andre Hunter match this effectivity at an identical quantity.

On the final episode of the good podcast View For The Rafters, Payton Pritchard talks about how a lot he labored on his deal with.

The exhausting work paid off as Payton Pritchard grew to become top-of-the-line gamers at retaining the dribble alive, which makes him a continuing menace to the opposing protection. His general enhancements, from his deal with to his footwork, are one of many causes his capability to complete on the rim has elevated a lot. He went from being a below-average rim finisher to one of the environment friendly amongst guards. After all, the spacing helps, however Payton Pritchard retains getting higher too.

#3 – Jrue Vacation is again like he by no means left

It’s the vacation season and the Celtics undoubtedly wanted Jrue to be again on the courtroom. Alongside Derrick White, his defensive playmaking helped the Celtics flip protection into offense.

With 3 steals and nice defensive stretches on whoever Joe Mazzulla requested him to protect, Jrue Vacation led the Celtics to historic defensive performances. On prime of that, he reminded us how versatile he could be on the offensive finish. Grabbing offensive rebounds, setting screens, swinging the ball to an open man, and, after all, the taking pictures.

That is additionally an ideal reminder that the Celtics’ latest struggles have been attributable to key gamers lacking time—and the way nice they are often if everyone seems to be wholesome.

#4 – Jordan Walsh offensive mixtape

After the starters dismantled the Raptors’ protection, the stay-ready group was invited to the dance—and Jordan Walsh had some strikes he needed to point out. His two drives, utilizing Queta’s display screen, have been actually spectacular.

His protection manipulation, the timing of his dribbles, and footwork opened the rim for him. He confirmed he can use a display screen like an actual playmaker to create separation, then drive and make the very best resolution based mostly on the benefit he generated.

His size helps him end above and round rim protectors, and it forces us to marvel what might occur if he performed extra. After all, the taking pictures nonetheless has its ups and downs, however the extra we see him play, the extra it turns into apparent he might be a difference-maker in essential video games later this season.

#5 – Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta lovely zoom motion

Generally you suppose a basketball recreation would possibly get boring when your workforce is main by 40 factors, after which the basketball gods remind us how a lot enjoyable this recreation could be. From the highest, the Celtics get right into a zoom motion (an off-ball display screen plus a dribble handoff) with Payton Pritchard as the person on the transfer, Sam Hauser because the display screen, and Neemias Queta because the ball handler.

It is a nice mixture of gamers for a zoom motion, as each Hauser and Pritchard can punish from three, and Queta is a good rim runner and a lob menace. As Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser have been in an ideal recreation, the protection targeted on them and forgot to assist on Queta. This gave us one other lovely spotlight to complete the yr.

#6 – Sam Hauser’s confidence appears to be again

After a tough few video games, Sam Hauser had an ideal recreation final evening. After a couple of traditional catch-and-shoots, the Celtics sharp-shooter went loopy. Early within the fourth, late within the possession, Sam Hauser had the ball in his fingers and needed to decide rapidly.

He drives left, can’t discover a strategy to the rim… so he steps again within the nook and makes an unimaginable shot over the good defensive guard Davion Mitchell. After all, it’s only a spotlight, however Sam Hauser and the TD Backyard wanted it!

#7 – Celtics have been unstoppable within the second half

After a gradual begin, and solely 2 factors scored over the primary 5 minutes of the sport, the Celtics become an unstoppable offensive machine within the second half: 80 factors scored during the last 24 minutes, 78% from three, and 18 assists.

Each the starters and the bench have been on hearth final evening and made positive the followers on the TD Backyard completed 2024 with the very best memento doable.

#8 – Are the Jaylen Brown left-hand jokes a factor of the previous?

Getting into a brand new yr, we regularly need to go away issues behind us—and Jaylen Brown’s left-hand jokes is likely to be one in all them. His offensive recreation has advanced once more this yr, and the deal with has as soon as once more improved.

The numbers are telling us Jaylen Brown retains getting extra comfy at attending to the rim. He elevated his drive quantity from 10 to 14 per recreation this season—and his post-up recreation has turned him into one of the environment friendly gamers from this place.

#9 – Trying forward

To start out the brand new yr, the Celtics have a few roadtrip planed. First, a 4 video games stretch the place the Celtics must face a number of the greatest defenses within the league (Houston and Minnesota) and two MVP candidates (Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander).

Then, one other 4 video games roadtrip on the westside by which the Celtics must duel with each LA groups, the Warriors and the Mavericks. An entertaining month forward the place we are going to be taught lots about this workforce.

#10 – Completely satisfied new yr to all of you!

I couldn’t be happier to begin the yr as a author for CelticsBlog—a yr in the past, I didn’t even know that might be doable. Because of all of you for all of the suggestions, feedback, and assist.

I’m wishing for an ideal 2025 yr to all of you from the French Alps, and hope for all of us to witness our Celtics profitable their nineteenth title.