The 12 minutes that modified every thing for the Celtics

Tie recreation, nonetheless 24 minutes of basketball to play. The Celtics are a loss away from elimination, they usually determined to take issues into their very own fingers. Luke Kornet begins as an alternative of Kristaps Porzingis, and the script is about to vary.

Within the third quarter, the Celtics solely concede 17 factors in 12 minutes. That’s 74 factors per 100 possessions—an absolute defensive masterclass that made offense simpler as a result of they performed off misses. However how was it made potential?

Due to Luke Kornet.

The Celtics used Kornet as a goalkeeper or a security, relying on which sport you’re extra conversant in. As a result of the Knicks all the time have a participant who may be left open from three, the Celtics have been decided to remove the paint.

Round Kornet’s tall and robust body, they constructed a defensive wall to pressure powerful, contested pictures or open three-pointers for Josh Hart. Due to that defensive strategy, the Knicks didn’t try a single shot on the rim. They shot 0-for-5 from the quick mid-range, 2-for-8 from the lengthy mid-range, and 2-for-7 from three.

The 2 threes truly got here from Josh Hart early within the third, as if the basketball gods have been testing the Celtics’ perception of their defensive strategy.

Whereas the protection improved and took away the paint, the offense additionally appeared very completely different from what we’ve seen up to now within the sequence. Inside 60 seconds of the third quarter, the Celtics drove to the basket twice and generated 4 factors—all the time attacking Jalen Brunson, forcing him to play protection.

Again on protection, it wasn’t simply the Kornet adjustment. The self-discipline and vitality have been additionally much better. Within the first half, Jaylen Brown was caught off guard a few occasions when following Brunson off-ball—however he was locked in throughout the second half.

Right here, take a look at him being like Marcus Sensible and saving the ball after stealing it from Brunson.

Many of the Kornet speak centered round his seven blocks — but which may not have been probably the most spectacular half. Watch him on this play, switching onto Brunson whereas staying linked. Then, the self-discipline to change once more with Derrick White to search out himself off-ball. Josh Hart can’t assault Jrue Vacation, and that’s one other cease for the Celtics.

He moved rather well regardless of his excessive middle of gravity and weight. Right here once more, he navigates the back-screen from the paint pick-and-roll, closes out, contests Hart’s drive, and blocks Karl-Anthony Cities’ rim try.

But Kornet wasn’t the one defensive hero of the sport. Right here, after a timeout, watch Brown’s focus and dedication to remain linked with Brunson full court docket. He goes beneath the display when wanted, fights again to regain place, and doesn’t give house. This finally ends up being a poor possession for the Knicks, who’re struggling in opposition to the Celtics’ defensive strategy.

The Brown–Kornet duo is killing the Knicks’ pick-and-roll, and the offense is stagnant. New York retains attempting to contain Kornet, as a result of if not, he’ll be ready on the rim to disrupt shot makes an attempt. The issue is, he’s doing a improbable job containing the drive whereas staying linked to Hart.

On this try once more, his presence takes away Brunson’s drive. He then rotates again to Hart, forces him into a troublesome shot, blocks him—and that’s one other turnover.

On the opposite aspect of the court docket, the Celtics both play in transition or discover methods to drive and get the very best shot potential. Brown and Kornet assault KAT once more in a pick-and-roll. As quickly as he has house, Brown drives and forces Hart to assist from the robust aspect… which provides an open three to Payton Pritchard.

A brand new goalkeeper impression from Kornet who, in a single possession, takes away 4 completely different potential shot makes an attempt. Due to him, neither Cities, Brunson, nor Hart tries something on the rim. And even when KAT thinks it’s open, Kornet blocks him for one more defensive cease.

Due to all these defensive stops, the Celtics get into offense early and might get in movement. The ball motion—and gamers’ capacity to thrive in chaos—was essential and effectively executed. Look right here: Sam Hauser will get right into a ghost-screen motion spontaneously, and that’s an open three for him.

The Celtics may even have discovered the way in which to kill the Knicks’ offense with Kornet enjoying in the identical place Robert Williams used to. Have a look at all of the Knicks’ ball motion and screening. But, as a result of they’ve one non-shooting menace on the ground, Kornet can preserve working as a goalkeeper and block one more shot.

After which got here the masterpiece of that third quarter, which introduced pleasure again into my life for a second. The Knicks are attempting to run a horns set with the ball in Hart’s fingers. This strategy is supposed to tug Kornet as removed from the rim as potential. On the aspect, OG Anunoby will get a post-up in opposition to White and tries to attain over him, however he’s not fast sufficient—and that’s one other block from Kornet, who even saves the ball because it goes out!

Then, the Celtics run in transition and attempt to capitalize on the miss. Kornet runs to the opposite finish and will get the ball on the wing. Hauser acknowledges a handoff alternative and sprints to him. That collapses the protection, and Kornet is free on the rim. Beautiful.

Towards the Celtics’ nice protection, the Knicks’ lack of spacing was apparent—and Joe Mazzulla took benefit of it. In 12 minutes, the Celtics constructed a 15-point lead and by no means appeared again. The fourth quarter was additionally spectacular, with nice ball motion and continued defensive execution.

The Celtics have what it takes to do the identical at Madison Sq. Backyard in Sport 6 and produce the sequence again to Boston for a Sport 7 on the TD Backyard.

Do you imagine?