Apr 17, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) drives the ball against Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) in the second half during game one of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
3 reasons why Boston Celtics will take down Brooklyn Nets in first round
Apr 17, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) in the first quarter during game one of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
3 reasons why Boston Celtics will take down Brooklyn Nets in first round: 1. Defensive efficiency
Initially, we can’t underestimate the fact that the Boston Celtics have the best overall defense in the NBA. Keep in mind that Boston holds the top defensive rating in the league at 106.2, per NBA.com/stats. In addition, they held opponents to a league-best 43.4 percent shooting from the floor during the regular season.
The Celtics ranked second in the league in blocks with 5.8 per game and only allow 42.5 points in the paint per game, which also ranks second. Breakout forward Robert Williams, who will likely be out for the series due to a torn meniscus injury, was a major part of their elite success defending the interior. But even without his presence, Boston should still be a menace to break down defensively.
They’re exceptional at protecting the rim, forcing tough, contested shots, and making teams uncomfortable with balanced versatility, toughness, grit, and togetherness. Udoka and his coaching staff have done a fascinating job orchestrating the defensive schemes that have become the league’s top-rated in his first season at the realm.
Boston had five players in the top 20 for Defensive Win Shares this season, according to Basketball-Reference: Jayson Tatum (1st), Robert Williams (5th), Al Horford (6th), Marcus Smart (12th), and Jaylen Brown (15th). Overall, the advanced statistics from this Celtics group have been very impressive.
Marcus Smart, a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, is one of the most reliable and versatile defenders in the league. He shows how impactful his defensive prowess can be each night, and there’s a reason why he’s pretty much a lock to make First Team All-Defense this season. If there’s one guy that you can count on to limit the impact of a superstar guard as talented as Kyrie Irving moving forward, it’s Marcus Smart for the Celtics.
Jayson Tatum usually steals the headlines for his world-class offensive skill set, but his defensive abilities are extremely undervalued, and it’s been a large factor in Boston’s dominance on that end of the floor. Tatum’s versatility, awareness, and defensive IQ will be on full display against Kevin Durant and the Nets.
Al Horford has been the defensive anchor that the Celtics have relied on him to be in his return while Daniel Theis and Grant Williams continue to provide value in the frontcourt defensively as well.
Derrick White, who was acquired from San Antonio before this year’s trade deadline, can be an impactful factor with his length and anticipation alongside Smart and Jaylen Brown in the backcourt, so the Celtics have depth and few weaknesses defensively.
The Nets shot 53.8 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from 3-point land, yet still found themselves on the losing end. They aren’t likely to shoot that well again, especially against a superior defense like Boston’s.
Despite Brooklyn’s masterful offense surrounded by two of the best scorers in the world, the Boston Celtics have the personnel within its top-rated team defense to carry them over the top in this first-round series.
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Boston </a>Celtics going head-to-head against the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs for the second consecutive year, the outcome of this postseason series could turn out to be much different than the last one.</p>
<p>In an eventful Game 1 on Sunday afternoon, the Celtics rallied to a mesmerizing 115-114 win in spite of Kyrie Irving’s 39-point masterclass performance to take a 1-0 series lead. An incredible finish that featured a buzzer-beating layup from Jayson Tatum gave us a glimpse of how epic this series could become.</p>
<p>During last year’s playoffs, Brooklyn ousted the Celtics with ease, defeating Brad Stevens’ team 4-1 to advance to the second round, where they eventually fell short in a thrilling series to the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks. However, Boston has a different, improved squad this time around behind new head coach Ime Udoka and a more dynamic rotation.</p>
<h2>As the Boston Celtics battle the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs for a consecutive year, we examine why Boston should come out on top.</h2>
<p>Despite a struggle-filled start to the 2021-22 NBA season, the Boston Celtics quickly shifted the momentum following the All-Star break. To conclude the regular season, the Celtics won 28 of their last 35 games and inspiringly came together to earn the second seed in the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p>This team continues to roll at the right time and evidently, they’re not afraid of Irving, Kevin Durant, and the mighty Brooklyn Nets. Without a doubt, we’re in for an ultra-competitive first-round series between these two powerhouses.</p>
<p>Of course, it’ll be an extra challenge for Boston to contain Brooklyn’s top-tier offense without promising frontcourt asset Robert Williams III, but this team seems built for challenges like these.</p>
<p>Let’s look at three reasons why the Celtics should take down the Nets in this electrifying first-round series matchup after stealing Game 1.</p>
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pic.twitter.com/WUr4UsaURk
<p>— Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/18/boston-celtics-brooklyn-nets/2/"https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1515814269597667336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 17, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>He’s ready for the spotlight, and it’s time the former third overall pick asserts himself as one of the top players, especially at the wing position, in this talented league. Tatum has had an incredible season on both ends of the floor, but now the three-time All-Star must consistently showcase his abilities in the playoffs.</p>
<p>Tatum averaged a career-high 26.9 points, career-high 4.4 assists, career-high 8.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game on 45.3 percent shooting and 35.3 percent from beyond the arc during the regular season. It has clearly been a career year that keeps getting better for the ever-growing star.</p>
<p>Now, with playoff basketball in Boston once again, Jayson Tatum has massive responsibilities on both sides of the ball as the main option offensively and with the defensive assignment on Durant. Can he efficiently execute, especially in the clutch, to lead the Celtics past a title-contending Nets team?</p>
<p>With the momentous season that he’s incurred, he’s certainly capable of taking over the spotlight. It also helps Tatum that he’s got an excellent support cast and a dynamic partner in Jaylen Brown to not only get the job done in the first round but to compete for a championship.</p>
<p>As the best player on his team, Jayson Tatum needs to show the world that he can dominate under pressure and consistently rally his team to victory on the brightest stage. The outcome of this series should ride on his shoulders.</p>
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<span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Jayson Tatum must seize the moment against the Brooklyn Nets </a> </div>
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