Boston Celtics: 3 Keys to 111-82 Bounce Back Victory vs Bulls

Celtics Shots Finally Fall

Coming into Wednesday’s contest against the Chicago Bulls, the Celtics disappointingly ranked 26th in the NBA in offensive rating. The opportunity to iron out the kinks against the 25th-ranked Bulls defense may have been exactly what the doctor ordered.

Early in the game the Celtics established their ability to penetrate the Bulls defense. Kyrie Irving and the Celtics wings were able to consistently get into the middle of the defense. The wings, specifically Jaylen Brown, were able to use their strength advantage to force their way into the paint.

Kyrie continually abused the likes of Wendell Carter Jr. and Robin Lopez in ball screens. Irving was able to turn the corner and get downhill on the bigs, leaving them with few options other than a quick prayer for mercy to the basketball gods.

This constant pressure on the rim led to paint points early and often, as the Celtics scored 48 points in the paint, nearly doubling their total of 26 in Sunday’s loss to the TrailBlazers.

The penetration of the Celtics opened the door for an improved outside shooting night as well. The Celtics were able to get into the middle of the defense in both isolation and ball-screen situations, forcing weak-side help, leading to kick outs to the corners or to the pick and pop big. The Celtics would then ping it around the perimeter until they found an open three pointer that they liked or an open lane to the hoop.

Boston was able to take advantage of these scramble situations, knocking down 15 three-pointers at a 44 percent clip. This punishing ball movement also led to a balanced scoring attack, with all five starters scoring in double figures and a total of eight players knocking down at least one three-pointer.

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One of few blips in the Celtics shooting performance was Gordon Hayward, who once again struggled to put the ball in the hoop. Despite his 4-for-12 shooting, Hayward was able to make a big impact offensively for the Celtics, evident by his team-leading +24 in 29 minutes. Hayward seemed to find a rhythm making plays in the pick-and-roll and in transition tonight.

The Bulls decided not to switch ball screens that their centers were involved, mostly choosing to have their centers sag into the paint and have the on-ball defender fight over the top. Hayward consistently came off the screens tight, using his size advantage to keep the trailing defender on his back. He patiently probed the defense, kicking out to open Celtics spotted up at the three point line or hitting rolling bigs.

Hayward also seemed more comfortable operating in the open floor. In the early fourth quarter, he went coast to coast finishing a left-handed reverse layup through contact.

Later on the in fourth, Hayward grabbed a loose ball and pushed the ball up the court, threading a bounce pass through two defenders to a cutting Semi Ojeleye. Once his shots begin to fall and his burst returns fully, Hayward will be able to supplement his high-level playmaking skills with his potent scoring ability, making him the dangerous man he was in the 2016-2017 season.

The Celtics needed to work out some issues after the early season offensive struggles, and the seemingly helpless Bulls were happy to play along.

On Friday, the stingy Raptors defense comes to town, likely to offer much more resistance than the Bulls. But, if the Celtics can continue to slice into the lane and move the ball with consistency, it should bode well for them in what is an intriguing Eastern Conference matchup. – Petey King