Boston Celtics Answer Isaiah Thomas’ Call
In the biggest game of the season, the Boston Celtics had their best game of the year
The Boston Celtics have probably been the most inconsistent team all season long. They had victories against the two juggernauts in the league, but would struggle to get past the lottery teams. The Celtics gave up what should have been insurmountable runs on a regular basis, and they were punished for that kind of inconsistency in a humiliating way in game four.
A 26-0 run is unfathomable. This Celtics core reached an all time low, and the players knew how unacceptable it was. With home court the Celtics knew they were still in a strong position in the series, but Isaiah Thomas made it clear that it would take a lot more than that to regain control of the series. The Celtics did not just lose in Washington, they were blown out on both occasions. Thomas knew it was their turn to have that kind of a performance.
Following the debilitating loss, Thomas had this message for his teammates: “I’m treating it as the biggest game that I’ve ever played. Hopefully, everybody else is treating it like that” (Via ESPN).
The problem in game four was not just that a couple players had an off game. The problem was that every single player was miserable on the court. Nobody was ever able to give the team a boost, Everyone was cold, the turnovers would not stop, and the Wizards capitalized on every opportunity. The Celtics did everything that allows the Wizards to be at their best, and failed to be successful in the areas most important to their success.
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In game five the Celtics not only came in with the mentality that this was the biggest game of their careers, but they put together the best game this team has every played together. From top to bottom, the Celtics were unstoppable.
The Celtics were always in control on offense, and that started with Thomas. He got the offense running the way it needs to, and the players around him came through in a way that we have never seen before.
Both Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley went ice cold in Washington. In this game they were taking the right kind of shots, and punishing the Wizards any time they saw an opportunity to attack. The both of them shot lights out from three point range, but they did not limit themselves.
The Celtics had their best offensive game of the season because absolutely nothing was forced. Each player let the entire offense flow how it needed to, creating good comfortable opportunities every time they needed it.
The Celtics found every different way they could attack the Wizards. They ran the offense through different players all the time. The Celtics have continually looked for versatility with this team, and the benefits really show with how adaptable everyone is on offense. That adaptability allows them to find the best spots for them to attack.
The Celtics did the only thing that can keep Wall out of transition, and that is making sure there are no rebounds or turnovers for him to run with. The Celtics played offense so well that it made their defense better, and that combination allowed them to go on the kind of runs that they had been giving up in Washington.
Bradley had a career playoff high in the first half alone, and it shows incredible leadership that Thomas was able to recognize what Braldey was doing, allowing him to become the number one offensive option when he was hottest.
Thomas had his best game of the playoffs as an instigator. He made the right play every time h had the ball in his hands, and brought the scoring in the fourth that finally buried the Wizards with Wall in the bench.
Then, perhaps the most spectacular player from the game, Al Horford. Horford was everywhere the Celtics needed him to be, and he did not fail at a single thing he attempted. Horford created his own offense when the offense went into a slump. The Wizards were threatening to get it near single digits with a 7-0 run, and Horfrod followed it up with three straight plays on defense and two straight players on offense.
Horford created for himself and embraced the masterful chemistry the team was showing for long stretches. Horford did everything in rhythm, and only attacked where he knew he had an advantage. He showed incredible patience, but did not pass up on a single good opportunity.
Amir Johnson rounded out the starting lineup perfectly, helping disrupt Wall in transposition, and any time he’s catching alley oops in transition you know its a good game.
The best part is that it was not just the starters. Youngsters Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier came in and gave phenomenal minutes. The two of them are contributing on offense, and are making athletic plays on defense.
The Celtics also got the real Marcus Smart back, and that is going to be the most important thing for that unit. Smart was hitting shots, not turning the ball over, and making all those other plays that can never really be quantified.
Looking at the box score numbers, you could probably say Bradley or Smart had a career night. That, however, is not how the Celtics responded to Thomas’ plea after game four. The Celtics responded by playing their best game of the season as a team.
Thomas wanted to make sure everyone knew that this was not about individuals. The Celtics need each and every player to buy into what is happening, and get their best performance as a unit. The Celtics put together their first full four quarters of the playoffs, and the most impressive four quarters we have seen in the Brad Stevens era.
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The Celtics need to figure out how to play like that on the road, because when they are hitting their shots and are keeping Wall out of transition, that could be enough to close this game out in six. The Celtics may not have another career night as a team, but if they play the same way and control the game the way they do, they will get into the position they need to move onto the Eastern Conference Finals.