Celtics Exploit Knicks' Defensive Flaws in Tactical Breakdown
The Celtics took advantage of vulnerabilities in the Knicks’ defense to dominate the game.
1. Targeting Karl-Anthony Towns
In a strategic shift, the Celtics focused on exploiting Karl-Anthony Towns, a 7-foot center, rather than targeting smaller guards. While Towns is a key offensive player for the Knicks, his defensive lapses create issues for the team. Utilizing Jayson Tatum’s exceptional pick-and-roll skills and effective screening, the Celtics harried Towns with a deceptively simple yet effective method. Struggling with drop coverage and screen navigation, Towns found himself outmatched by Boston’s maneuvering. The process began with a ram screen to disadvantage Towns, followed by a cleverly-timed ball screen that left him behind, showcasing his difficulty in maintaining proper positioning. Tatum’s mastery of the pick-and-roll, combined with Boston’s adept screeners, capitalized on these weaknesses.
2. Targeting Jalen Brunson
Brunson was another defensive target for the Celtics, often alongside Towns within the same play. Brunson struggled against players like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, finding himself mismatched. The Celtics would pit Derrick White as a screener against him, forcing the Knicks into unfavorable defensive moves—either switching or conceding exploitable gaps. Without OG Anunoby, the Knicks were pressed between relying on the offensive prowess of Towns and Brunson and contending with their defensive liabilities.
3. Boston’s Defensive Tactics
Boston’s defense aimed to restrict the Knicks’ access to the rim. Assigning Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown to Towns and ignoring certain players like Josh Hart, the Celtics successfully disrupted the Knicks’ interior shooting, cutting their efficiency at the rim from their usual 66% to just 41%. This organized effort played a significant role in curtailing the Knicks’ offensive effectiveness.
4. Countering Brunson’s Pick-and-Roll
To mitigate Brunson’s pick-and-roll prowess, the Celtics strategically switched defenders only with key players, employing drop coverage to maintain a strong presence in the paint. Though Brunson managed to generate some offense, the approach effectively diminished his overall impact, restricting his ability to facilitate for teammates and placing the offensive load squarely on his shoulders.
5. The Rise of Luke Kornet
Luke Kornet’s increasing influence was evident as he dominated defensively, guarding the rim effectively and disrupting Knicks’ attempts at close-range scores. Offensively, his role as a trailer in transitions and ability to execute timely cuts and screens created opportunities for the team. He demonstrated solid efficiency, scoring 14 points, grabbing five offensive rebounds, and blocking three shots, marking a standout performance.
6. Creating Opportunities Despite Space Constraints
Despite facing spatial challenges with players like Queta and Kornet on the floor, the Celtics devised strategies to produce quality shots. Quick ball movement and strategic double drag screens forced the Knicks into defensive misjudgments, using pace and precision to create openings, leading to effective scoring outcomes.
7. Derrick White’s All-Around Contribution
Derrick White showcased his two-way impact, stepping up in Jrue Holiday’s absence. Defensively, he contained Brunson effectively, while offensively, his screening helped thrust the Knicks into unfavorable switches. Ending the game with an efficient 17 points and four assists in just 25 minutes, White played a pivotal role in the Celtics’ triumph.
8. Winning the Battle of Possessions
The Celtics approached the game prepared to challenge the Knicks’ strength in securing possessions. By minimizing turnovers and maintaining a strong presence on offensive boards, they successfully counteracted the Knicks’ tactics, thereby maintaining possession and dictating the game’s pace and flow.
9. A Thrilling Third Quarter
While the third quarter tested the Celtics, with the Knicks briefly narrowing Boston’s lead, Jayson Tatum’s offensive prowess came to the fore. By exploiting the pick-and-roll strategies discussed, Tatum scored an impressive 19 points in a pivotal period that further established his capability as an offensive leader.
10. Jaylen Brown’s Offensive Hurdles
Jaylen Brown’s ongoing struggles with efficiency were evident, as he remains among the least effective players with similar usage rates this season. Although his shot didn’t fall as expected and he forced several difficult attempts, he still contributed notably with playmaking, particularly through Spain pick-and-rolls, leading with assists and demonstrating areas for potential improvement in his game.