Boston Celtics: 3 keys to a victory as the C’s host Atlanta

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 13: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a game at TD Garden on February 13, 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 Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 13: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a game at TD Garden on February 13, 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 Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics  (Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)
Boston Celtics  (Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports) /

Boston Celtics key to victory No. 3) Move the ball

During their dominant month of February in which the Boston Celtics posted a 9-2 record, ball movement was at its best. Derrick White seemed to help that by pushing the pace at times and making the extra pass.

In the last few games, the C’s have reverted back to their old ways. With more isolation possessions and more dribbling, Boston has struggled to maintain the level of ball movement they had earlier in the month.

They moved the ball really well against Brooklyn and it led to a decimation of the Nets. The last two games have been a different story as we’ve seen more iso possessions from Tatum and Brown.

At times this team can try to overly exploit a mismatch. It happened early on against Atlanta in the team’s last meeting, where they kept trying to feed Jaylen Brown who was guarded by Kevin Huerter.

Jaylen Brown took the first two shots of the game for the C’s and missed both. He followed that up by converting a two, but then turned the ball over twice.

It’s fine to focus on the mismatches and try to exploit the other team’s flaws on defense, but when it halts offensive progress and ball movement, it’s okay to shy away from it.

It’ll be interesting if the Celtics go at the weaker defensive duo of Huerter and Young early on or if they let their ball movement take center stage once again.

Whatever the game plan ends up being for Udoka and Boston, they must play good defense, contain Trae Young, and move the ball.

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