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The Boston Celtics produced a statement performance to send them into the All-Star break. <\/p>\n
#1 Locking in from the opening tip<\/strong><\/h3>\nFrom the opening tip, it was clear the Boston Celtics<\/a> were looking to dominate their second straight game against the Brooklyn Nets<\/a>. They executed with precision. They got into their sets with pace. And they executed on the defensive end, too. <\/p>\nConsidering this was Boston\u2019s last game before the All-Star break, and they had defeated the Nets just 24 hours earlier, I found their performance to be impressive. They didn\u2019t play down to the competition. There was no sign of a malaise \u2014 on either side of the floor. <\/p>\n
Instead, Boston came into the game looking to dominate. They appeared to be having fun out there. It\u2019s that type of approach, regardless of the opposition or the situation surrounding a game, that depicts championship mentality.<\/p>\n
We often speak about the on-court developments we see from the Celtics. However, we saw a development in Boston\u2019s approach on Wednesday. We saw them look to secure a win, regardless of who their opponent was. There was no question of friendship or keeping things respectable. The Celtics came in to whoop the Nets. And a whooping was what they dished out. <\/p>\n
#2 Defensive focus<\/strong><\/p>\nIt\u2019s true; Brooklyn isn\u2019t an offensive juggernaut. They sit 19th in the NBA for offensive rating. However, Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas are no joke. Both can get points up in bunches. Dennis Schroder\u2019s addition has given the Nets a genuine pick-and-roll threat as well as someone who can push the pace and create off the dribble. <\/p>\n
So, the Celtics locked in. They stuck to their switch 1-through-4 with 5 in drop system. They pressured the ball. They limited off-ball movement. They forced shot clock violations. And, there was little opportunity to get an uncontested shot off. <\/p>\n
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Considering this was Boston\u2019s last game before the All-Star break, and they had defeated the Nets just 24 hours earlier, I found their performance to be impressive. They didn\u2019t play down to the competition. There was no sign of a malaise \u2014 on either side of the floor. <\/p>\n
Instead, Boston came into the game looking to dominate. They appeared to be having fun out there. It\u2019s that type of approach, regardless of the opposition or the situation surrounding a game, that depicts championship mentality.<\/p>\n
We often speak about the on-court developments we see from the Celtics. However, we saw a development in Boston\u2019s approach on Wednesday. We saw them look to secure a win, regardless of who their opponent was. There was no question of friendship or keeping things respectable. The Celtics came in to whoop the Nets. And a whooping was what they dished out. <\/p>\n
#2 Defensive focus<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s true; Brooklyn isn\u2019t an offensive juggernaut. They sit 19th in the NBA for offensive rating. However, Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas are no joke. Both can get points up in bunches. Dennis Schroder\u2019s addition has given the Nets a genuine pick-and-roll threat as well as someone who can push the pace and create off the dribble. <\/p>\n So, the Celtics locked in. They stuck to their switch 1-through-4 with 5 in drop system. They pressured the ball. They limited off-ball movement. They forced shot clock violations. And, there was little opportunity to get an uncontested shot off. <\/p>\n