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Saturday, September 29, 2018

Basketball: Celtics - Hornets Observations

Preseason games share lessons. Here are some observations: 

Celtics challenging Hornets to switch smaller guards onto bigger wings (Hayward, Tatum); expect this to be an NBA trend.

Celtics roll out the Flex (and turn it over) in the second quarter...

Celtics have increased their pace to score easier baskets in transition...

Gordon Hayward not really in the first half flow...lots of rust in his game as expected.

Celtics addressing the problem of shots by getting more shots...

Celtics defensive intensity didn't carryover into the second half...

Hayward explodes to the rim from the wing and cautiously doesn't finish, taking an in-between shot (mind games). 



Celtics "triple"...low horns with multiple options...

Analyst Brian Scalabrine observations:

"Must be shoulder to shoulder on the screen-and-roll." 

"High hands on the closeout deters the pass."

"Be tough, be physical...without fouling." (easier said than done)

"Great play by Jason Tatum understanding how to create space for his shot."

"Uncle Drew." Kyrie with his between the legs, multiple crossover stuff... 

"Kyrie comes off the screen...then hits Morris in the corner for three." 



This frame doesn't do justice to the spacing, the roll, or the action moving the defense to open the corner 3. 

On defensive rating. "When Baynes is on the floor, there are 86 points scored per 100 possessions."

On shot selection. "What are you doing? Good shot." (No, No, yes.)

"This does not look like a preseason game; they're playing so hard."

"If you watch all the old-school players, they all wear baggy shorts..."

"Gotta impact the game on both ends..."

"We're going to have to watch how they're calling screens (many fouls on both ends about handsy screens)."