The Boston Celtics won nearly 70 games on their way to this year’s NBA Finals. Finishing the season with a 64-18 record was enough to secure the best record in the league. Now, in the NBA Finals, the Celtics are dominating Western Conference teams that many thought could match up to Boston’s onslaught. So far, that hasn’t been the case. So far, it’s been two teams at two different levels of matchups. What the Brooklyn Nets can learn from all this is whether they should change the way they play to keep up.
In Game 1, the Celtics attempted 42 three-point shots, 15 more than the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1. Boston capitalized on those opportunities, making 38% of their three-point attempts. In Game 2, Boston attempted 39 three-point shots, 13 more than Dallas in Game 2. The Celtics shot poorly by their standards in Game 2, but they shot better on three-pointers than Dallas. Boston finished Game 2 shooting 26% from three-point range compared to 23% for the Mavericks.
The presence of big men like Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford has unlocked a new gear for the Celtics this season. Robert Williams was a great rim protector last year, but he never spread the floor like Horford. Porzingis, a former All-Star, has a combination of range and efficiency that allows him to spread the floor more than Horford, making the job of the main shot creators on the offensive side easier for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Celtics big man Luke Kornet, who has played more since Williams left, has always made a high percentage of three-pointers. He hasn’t been on the court much for Boston in these playoffs, but when he has, he has always provided the space he needs.
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