Boston Celtics Find Oasis in Phoenix Late, Defeat Suns 116-109
By Mujeeb Ahmed
Inside Then Out
The NBA game has undoubtedly changed; the game favors perimeter shooting and thus many players have honed their shooting skills.
No matter how much the NBA game changes, at the core of it, the name of the game is basketball and when perimeter shots are not falling – you must attack the basket.
For one reason or another, far too many of the Celtics offensive possessions are perimeter shots – poorly advised ones at that. Off balance shots like step backs, fadeaways and spinning jumpers are not going to go in every night – no matter how talented the Celtics are.
It’s one thing to take some of those shots when the shooter has his feet set and is on balance, but the Celtics have been repeat offenders of taking off-balance, high-difficulty shots which has done nothing to help the Celtics break out of this offensive slump.
Jaylen Brown’s effort to attack the paint in the second half was the match that lit the fire underneath the Celtics to get their act together. Brown scored all of his 17 points in the second half and overtime.
It felt as if the Celtics were awakened by Jaylen’s fast break dunk because the energy noticeably picked up and the Celtics were able to play a more balanced game – alternating between looks at the basket and on attempts from distance.