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Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from C’s wire-to-wire win over Miami

By Andrew DiIorio

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 31: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots a jump shot over Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at TD Garden on January 31, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 31: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots a jump shot over Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at TD Garden on January 31, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Marcus Smart (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics takeaway No. 2) The C’s against the zone

Realizing their difficulties defending in man-to-man defense, the Heat and coach Spoelstra quickly went to a zone look in the second quarter. In general, the most important aspect of beating a zone is being able to shoot from deep beyond the arc as well as having a capable decision-maker in the middle of the zone, finding the weak spot to pass to.

Marcus Smart took that responsibility, steadying the ship rather than completely falling apart when the zone was thrown at them like in past games. The Celtics have skilled enough shooters and cutters to destroy a zone look, but have had trouble executing against the unorthodox defense.

Puzzlingly, coach Udoka went back to the tandem of Smart and Dennis Schroder while the Heat were in the zone, despite their playing time together becoming non-existent over the past two weeks.

This ultimately backfired, as Miami tied things up the contest at 32.

With two below-average shooters against the zone, it was extremely difficult to generate an open look, as the strength of the zone is collapsing on driving ball-handlers.

However, after a timeout and substation of Schroder, the shamrocks went on an immediate 7-0 run and didn’t look back.

In those situations, it would be beneficial to give Payton Pritchard a look, as the second-year man’s almost immeasurable range would work perfectly against a zone. His shooting ability alone could change the team’s defensive outlook completely, as giving him open shots from the perimeter wouldn’t end well for opponents.

It will be interesting to see if Smart and Schroder ever see the floor together again, as it almost always ends in failure. With Dennis set to be traded before the deadline, he should strictly be moved to backup point guard minutes, if that, with Pritchard waiting in the wings.

He was a -7 in 17 minutes when Boston won by 30… that’s hard to do.

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