Jeff Van Gundy kept fidgeting on the Clippers bench, while Tyronn Lue was disappointed when taking his first timeout of the second quarter. It must be said that his team had just conceded a third 3-pointer in less than a minute, the gap reaching +14 for the Celtics (36-22).
And it was far from over for Los Angeles, who would finally take 12 3-point baskets in this second quarter, a record equaled in a quarter because the Warriors, the Kings and the Blazers had it already done.
In terms of play, Joe Mazzulla's men didn't do anything crazy, but by quickly exploiting the good shifts, they converted 17 of their 24 shots in 12 minutes, 12 of 17 behind the line at 3- points. In detail, it gives 4/4 for Derrick White3/4 pour Jaylen Brown3/5 pour Payton Pritchard1/3 pour Jrue Holiday and 1/1 for Sam Hauser. Enough to afford the second best mark in a quarter in history, with 51 points scored, behind the 55 points of the Warriors and the Grizzlies…
A complete “3&D Team”
“I just felt like we were playing at a good pace” explains Payton Pritchard, at the origin of this offensive explosion. “After successful or missed shots, we left quickly, on our zones. And I feel like when you play fast like that, you get really good shots, and the pace becomes incredible. »
It especially becomes untenable for opponents because the Celtics have the first “3&D Team” in history, with a set of players who defend and shoot 3-pointers.
After the match, Tyronn Lue especially regretted the 3-pointers on fast play, in particular from Payton Pritchard, because these are the ones that must absolutely be avoided, so as not to give Boston any rhythm.
“You have to be aware that they are going to take complicated shots” summarizes the Los Angeles coach. “You have to be aware that they are going to take crazy shots and that they are going to succeed. You have to be able to cope with that, to stay focused. We can't allow them to break us, when they take three or four 3-pointers while the defense is in place. There's nothing more we can do about it, we have to keep playing because we know they're going to take 50 3-point shots. If we can resist, if we can avoid easy 3-pointers, especially on quick plays and force them to play on set plays, then we have our chances. »
