![\"Washington](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/U8-2edWTKHdd6_nlddP4miPMNPQ=\/0x0:4510x3007\/1310x873\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_image\/image\/73128331\/1991173739.0.jpg\")
The Boston Celtics defeated the Washington Wizards despite a first-half horror show on defense. <\/p>\n
#1 First-half transition defense<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Boston Celtics<\/a> struggled to match the pace of the Washington Wizards<\/a> in the first half of their matchup on Friday. Washington consistently leaked out after missed shots and turnovers, finding significant success when getting into a foot race against Boston\u2019s defense. <\/p>\nWashington had 18 fast-break points in the first quarter and added another 8 in the second. That\u2019s 26 points against a lackluster defense that allowed the Wizards to hang around going into half-time. <\/p>\n
Boston should have expected the Wizards to push the pace whenever they got the chance. They rank fourth in the NBA for transition possessions and second for transition field-goal percentage. The Celtics are well-rested at the moment. It\u2019s hard to imagine they were unprepared in terms of scouting reports, too. So, that leaves effort and focus as the primary factor. <\/p>\n
Throughout the season, Joe Mazzulla\u2019s team has been locked in on both sides of the court. However, there\u2019s been some slippage at times in recent games. Mazzulla has noted how it\u2019s not bad habits but rather bad stretches. I can agree with that. The key is not to let those stretches become a habit. <\/p>\n
#2 An interior focus<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt was another tough perimeter shooting night for the Celtics. They hit 11 of 34 from deep, good for 32.4%. Sam Hauser was 1-of-6. Tatum was 3-of-10. Jaylen Brown was 0-of-1. Derrick White was 0-of-4. <\/p>\n
These kind of nights happen. Sometimes, they happen in succession.<\/p>\n
I liked that Boston came into the game with a focus on pressuring the rim and using their size advantage. With that mindset, their perimeter struggles weren\u2019t as well pronounced. Instead, the Celtics found ways to get to their spots around the rim and in the mid-range. The offense still flowed. <\/p>\n
Most importantly, nobody’s head dropped. Everyone stayed focused. They executed. They pushed the temp. And the misses didn\u2019t stop the defense from finding a new gear in the second half. <\/p>\n
We’ve all been asking for the ability to switch focuses on a game-to-game basis. On some nights, threes will be falling, and it will look like the rim is 18 feet wide. When that happens, fire away. Other nights, when there\u2019s a lid on it, drive to the rack and let the shots from the perimeter fall as they may. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s the approach Mazzulla\u2019s team took on Friday, and it allowed them to remain competitive and ultimately win the game despite their defensive issues in the first half and their limited success from the perimeter. <\/p>\n
#3 Boston needs to stay locked-in<\/strong><\/h3>\nI get it. The All-Star break is right around the corner. It\u2019s been a long run of games since the season tipped off in October. The Celtics have some breathing room at the top of the Eastern Conference. They have the best record in the league. It\u2019s easy to take your foot off the gas at times. Especially in games, you\u2019re expecting to win simply due to the talent at your disposal. <\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the Celtics need to dig deep. They need to remember that every win is another step toward building the championship habits we always hear about. Sure, when your goals are based around the playoffs, the regular season can seem inconsequential, but to me, it\u2019s anything but. This is where plays are committed to memory. Where everybody learns to get the best out of each other. And most importantly, it\u2019s where resilience and grit are built and honed. <\/p>\n
I get that not every game can be a blowout. Honestly, for me, that wouldn\u2019t be enjoyable anyway. But figuring out how to stay focused on a night-to-night basis, regardless of who you\u2019re facing, is the next step for this team. Fortunately, it\u2019s only a small step for them to take. <\/p>\n
\n#4 Porzingis, you\u2019re killing em\u2019<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n
Washington had 18 fast-break points in the first quarter and added another 8 in the second. That\u2019s 26 points against a lackluster defense that allowed the Wizards to hang around going into half-time. <\/p>\n
Boston should have expected the Wizards to push the pace whenever they got the chance. They rank fourth in the NBA for transition possessions and second for transition field-goal percentage. The Celtics are well-rested at the moment. It\u2019s hard to imagine they were unprepared in terms of scouting reports, too. So, that leaves effort and focus as the primary factor. <\/p>\n
Throughout the season, Joe Mazzulla\u2019s team has been locked in on both sides of the court. However, there\u2019s been some slippage at times in recent games. Mazzulla has noted how it\u2019s not bad habits but rather bad stretches. I can agree with that. The key is not to let those stretches become a habit. <\/p>\n
#2 An interior focus<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt was another tough perimeter shooting night for the Celtics. They hit 11 of 34 from deep, good for 32.4%. Sam Hauser was 1-of-6. Tatum was 3-of-10. Jaylen Brown was 0-of-1. Derrick White was 0-of-4. <\/p>\n
These kind of nights happen. Sometimes, they happen in succession.<\/p>\n
I liked that Boston came into the game with a focus on pressuring the rim and using their size advantage. With that mindset, their perimeter struggles weren\u2019t as well pronounced. Instead, the Celtics found ways to get to their spots around the rim and in the mid-range. The offense still flowed. <\/p>\n
Most importantly, nobody’s head dropped. Everyone stayed focused. They executed. They pushed the temp. And the misses didn\u2019t stop the defense from finding a new gear in the second half. <\/p>\n
We’ve all been asking for the ability to switch focuses on a game-to-game basis. On some nights, threes will be falling, and it will look like the rim is 18 feet wide. When that happens, fire away. Other nights, when there\u2019s a lid on it, drive to the rack and let the shots from the perimeter fall as they may. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s the approach Mazzulla\u2019s team took on Friday, and it allowed them to remain competitive and ultimately win the game despite their defensive issues in the first half and their limited success from the perimeter. <\/p>\n
#3 Boston needs to stay locked-in<\/strong><\/h3>\nI get it. The All-Star break is right around the corner. It\u2019s been a long run of games since the season tipped off in October. The Celtics have some breathing room at the top of the Eastern Conference. They have the best record in the league. It\u2019s easy to take your foot off the gas at times. Especially in games, you\u2019re expecting to win simply due to the talent at your disposal. <\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the Celtics need to dig deep. They need to remember that every win is another step toward building the championship habits we always hear about. Sure, when your goals are based around the playoffs, the regular season can seem inconsequential, but to me, it\u2019s anything but. This is where plays are committed to memory. Where everybody learns to get the best out of each other. And most importantly, it\u2019s where resilience and grit are built and honed. <\/p>\n
I get that not every game can be a blowout. Honestly, for me, that wouldn\u2019t be enjoyable anyway. But figuring out how to stay focused on a night-to-night basis, regardless of who you\u2019re facing, is the next step for this team. Fortunately, it\u2019s only a small step for them to take. <\/p>\n
\n#4 Porzingis, you\u2019re killing em\u2019<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n
I get it. The All-Star break is right around the corner. It\u2019s been a long run of games since the season tipped off in October. The Celtics have some breathing room at the top of the Eastern Conference. They have the best record in the league. It\u2019s easy to take your foot off the gas at times. Especially in games, you\u2019re expecting to win simply due to the talent at your disposal. <\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the Celtics need to dig deep. They need to remember that every win is another step toward building the championship habits we always hear about. Sure, when your goals are based around the playoffs, the regular season can seem inconsequential, but to me, it\u2019s anything but. This is where plays are committed to memory. Where everybody learns to get the best out of each other. And most importantly, it\u2019s where resilience and grit are built and honed. <\/p>\n
I get that not every game can be a blowout. Honestly, for me, that wouldn\u2019t be enjoyable anyway. But figuring out how to stay focused on a night-to-night basis, regardless of who you\u2019re facing, is the next step for this team. Fortunately, it\u2019s only a small step for them to take. <\/p>\n