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Boston Celtics: 3 keys to wanding off Wizards in play-in round

By Owen Crisafulli

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 28: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Boston Celtics defends Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the third quarter at TD Garden on February 28, 2021 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 Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 28: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Boston Celtics defends Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the third quarter at TD Garden on February 28, 2021 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 Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

 No. 1: Boston Celtics must drive to the basket

Far and away the biggest thing the Celtics need to do in order to win is drive to the hoop. Too often this team gets stuck in isolation plays that result in poor shots, when they could easily attack the rim and find an open shot. If Boston drives to the hoop and limits the amount of contested threes and tough midrange shots they take, they will win this game.

The biggest culprit of the Celtics desire to just fire up shots at will is Jayson Tatum. Too often he seeks out his own shot rather than moving the ball around, and while he hits a decent percentage of sidestep threes or spinaround jumpers, they aren’t always the best look that could be found. It’s no surprise that Tatum’s career games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs have come as a result of him driving to the hoop.

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Not only does this strategy result in easier shots, but it will typically result in players getting to the free throw line. It’s a lot easier to get fouled on a layup than a three point shot, and they are playing against the team that took the most free throw attempts per game this season, so it’s important to not let the free throw numbers get too one sided. Boston meanwhile ranks 25th in the league in free throws attempted per game, which just shows they aren’t getting to the paint enough.

An easy way to open up lanes to the hoop is by passing the ball. The Celtics again rank 25th in the league in assists per game, which is just way too low, and shows how isolation based this team is. When the ball gets moved around, it keeps the defense on their toes and forces them into mistakes.

Again, Tatum is going to be a big part of this. Tatum’s been working on moving the ball around more in the second half of the season, and some of the Celtics better games have come when Tatum’s had his highest assist totals.

Smart has really been the top playmaker for Boston, so they’ll definitely need some added contributions from Tatum and Walker to keep the ball moving on offense.

And finally, Washington doesn’t really have a true big man who can hold down the interior. It’s telling that the teams leading rebounder is Westbrook, who plays point guard, and not a center or power forward.

Alex Len typically starts, but he’s not really an intimidating paint presence by any means. Daniel Gafford and Robin Lopez are also part of the rotation, but neither guy should prevent Boston from getting to the paint.

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If the Boston Celtics can get easy layups, that opens up the perimeter, and that’s when they can really take off on a team. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen that too much from this team this season. If Boston gets roped into isolation ball and difficult shots, it could end up being a long day in the office for the C’s.

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