The Celtics offense struggled in the 2nd half vs the Thunder Wednesday night, totaling 43 points on 41% shooting. This was well off their 104.6 points per game pace and their 47% field goal percentage for the season. The Thunder’s size and length bothered the Celtics throughout the 2nd half causing the low offensive output. The Thunder’s sizeable frontcourt of Steven Adams (7’0”, 255lbs), Kendrick Perkins (6’10”, 270lbs), and Nick Collison (6’10”, 255lbs) also includes one of the best shot blockers in the league in Serge Ibaka and the hard working Lance Thomas, who played all 24 minutes of a 2nd half in which he totaled 10 rebounds (5 offensive boards). This size and length fits in well with Scott Brooks’ 2-3 zone defensive scheme and the Thunder used the zone to stifle the Celtics offense on more than one occasion.
But while the zone was effective, was it truly the most significant factor in the Celtics poor offensive output in the 2nd half?
Watching the game for a second time, the zone did not play nearly as big of a role as I originally thought it did, especially in the second half. In the 3rd quarter, the Thunder did not go to their zone until there was 3:30 remaining. In the 4th, Brooks implemented the zone with 10:30 remaining, but then quickly switched back to man with 9:06 left to play in the game. These two zone stints total about 5 of the 24 second half minutes. The zone caused problems for the Celtics offense during this time, the biggest being forcing the Celtics into long jump shots, but it’s difficult to argue for the zone as the most significant factor in the Celtics poor offensive showing in the 2nd half.
The true cause was the Celtics defense.
We have all heard of the saying the best offense is a good defense. While the Celtics defense has not been stellar to this point, it has been good enough to create ample scoring opportunities for the Celtics on the fast break and in early offense. In the second half vs the Thunder, it was not.
Pace of play was one of Brad Stevens’ major changes coming into the 2014-15 season. The Celtics are in the top 10 in the NBA in fast break points per game, averaging 14.9, and also rank in the top 10 in fast break efficiency. This means the Celtics have used the fast break to get high quality shots, mostly layups. This pace has been one of the most noticeable differences from this year as compared to last. Whether it has been Rajon Rondo taking it all the way himself, Rondo feeding Jeff Green on the right wing, or one of the big men beating his man down the floor, the Celtics have been able to get to the basket in transition. Transition has been Boston’s number 1 option on offense. Even if the Celtics do not get a fastbreak basket, they are able to get into their offensive sets while the defense is still getting set up, rather than coming down the court against a set defense. In the 2nd half Wednesday night, the Celtics totaled a meager 4 fastbreak points. They were only able to score 10 points in the paint and had just 30 for the game, significantly below their season average of 44.6.
The reason the Celtics offense struggled was because they were unable to generate stops on defense. The Thunder shot 26 of 42 from the field (62%). That means that there were only 16 missed shots all half that the Celtics had the opportunity to fastbreak on. Of those 16 misses, the Thunder grabbed 6 offensive rebounds, leaving the Celtics to secure just 10 defensive rebounds. Essentially, the Thunder limited the Celtics fastbreak offense by making shots. Even when the Celtics tried to push the ball up quickly after a make, they were doing so against a set defense.
Against this set defense, whether it was a man to man or zone (mostly man), the Celtics settled for too many long jump shots. But given the fact that the Cs only scored 4 fastbreak points, the half-court offense was not terrible. The team totaled 14 assists compared to only 3 turnovers. Like they have throughout the season, they were able to spread the ball around and get reasonably good looks at the basket. The problem was that too many of these looks were coming from the outside.
If one of the Celtics’ strengths is their balanced scoring, one of their weaknesses is a lack of a go to scoring option. When the Thunder made their run in the second half and Boston was forced to answer, it was not clear where the team could go for an easy basket. It was easy when they could throw the ball to KG for a reliable turnaround jump shot. Or run a play for Paul Pierce attacking the hoop so he could get to the foul line. Right now, the Celtics have no one guy they know they can go to for a high percentage look. Even the Thunder, without Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, knew they could go to Reggie Jackson late in the game, and Jackson came through (along with Anthony Morrow) throughout the second half. The balance of the Celtics offense serves them well, but it would also be useful to have someone reliable to go to for a basket to stop an opposing team’s run.
Unfortunately, the Celtics cannot simply chalk up their offensive struggle in the 2nd half to the Thunder’s zone defense. Moving forward, Boston needs to do a better job getting stops on the defensive end so that they can create fastbreak opportunities. This team is made to run, but it is difficult to run when you have to take the ball out of the net just about every possession. Also, while I do not see a true go to player on this Celtics team, it would serve Boston well to develop a set play or a specific action they can go to when they need a basket. Simply continuing to take 3 point shots, even if they are open, is not an ideal solution. There will be off shooting nights. I would like to see the Celtics attack the basket more and get to the foul line when the threes are not falling and the opposition is making a run. The Celtics should continue to excel on the offensive end of the floor, the extent of this success will be determined by the defense’s ability to generate stops.
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