The Boston Celtics kicked off the 2024-25 NBA season in impressive fashion, reaffirming their status as favorites to reclaim the Larry O’Brien Trophy. In their opening game, they delivered a commanding 132-109 victory over the New York Knicks, a team many anticipate will pose the biggest challenge in the Eastern Conference. Notably, the Celtics tied the NBA single-game record by sinking 29 three-pointers.
Key Highlights and Insights
Three-Point Barrage The Celtics maintained their reputation as long-range sharpshooters, leading the league in 3-point rate last season. In this game, a staggering 64% of their shots came from beyond the arc. They were red-hot, finishing 29-for-48 (60.4%) from deep. Jayson Tatum was particularly lethal, contributing 37 points on 8-for-11 shooting from three.
“I feel like we just kind of picked up where we left off last year,” Tatum remarked. “We play to our strengths.”
Despite missing all 13 attempts to break the record in the final 8.5 minutes, the Celtics still posted an astonishing offensive efficiency, scoring 132 points on 91 possessions (145.1 points per 100). This performance eclipsed any effort by opposing teams against the Knicks last season, playoffs included. It seems only a matter of time before this Celtics squad breaks the 30 three-pointers mark in a game.
Elite Matchup Versatility
Credit to Joe Mazzulla. Have a true understanding of your players' strengths, weaknesses, and which line-ups they thrive in (against each team) is elite coaching. And Joe continues to exploit other teams' weaknesses and making the right adjustments in-game, all game. Joe also understands how their defensive efforts translate into unorthodox matchups that result in turnovers by the other team and points off turnovers for them.
Substitution Patterns
While Boston hasn’t brought in any major new players to the rotation, Coach Mazzulla made some subtle adjustments.
With Porzingis unavailable, the rotation can vary based on the matchup. In this game, the first substitutions saw Kornet and Pritchard come in for Brown and Holiday. This allowed for an early glimpse of a Kornet-Horford double-big lineup, which only logged 245 minutes together during the previous regular season. Although they didn’t share the court for long in this game, their brief stint set the stage for Hauser to seamlessly take Horford’s place.
Tatum and the bench consistently pose a challenge for opposing teams, and this particular lineup wrapped up last season with an impressive 33.7 Net Rating.
Another notable pairing we saw more often in this game was Tillman and Horford. Their playing styles complement each other well, as both are versatile and intelligent defenders. While Tillman is still developing his floor-spacing abilities, Horford’s comfort behind the arc allows them to alternate effectively between inside and outside play.
As the season progresses, there will be plenty of chances for players outside the usual rotation, but it’s notable that no non-regulars saw any action in this game. Jordan Walsh was the first to come off the bench, entering the game with about six minutes left in the fourth quarter when the outcome was already decided. While rest and injuries will eventually create more opportunities, Mazzulla is currently sticking with his core lineup.
Jayson Tatum’s Revenge Tour
Tatum delivered an exceptional performance, finishing with 37 points and 10 assists. However, this wasn’t your typical Tatum takeover; he only attempted 19 shots. Instead, he showcased his shooting prowess by hitting an impressive 8 of 11 from beyond the arc, leading the charge for Boston’s record-setting shooting night.
His very first jumper set the tone for what would be a remarkable evening. Tatum’s outside shooting has been a hot topic this offseason, particularly with the adjustments he and trainer Drew Hanlen have discussed. While I want to be cautious about making sweeping conclusions based on a single game, it’s tough to ignore how impressive his jumper looked tonight. It was truly sensational.
Moreover, Jayson’s off-the-dribble shooting has been less consistent in recent years, but if he can refine that aspect of his game, it could elevate him into MVP conversations. At this level, he has the ability to turn the tide of a game in an instant.
Jrue Holiday Does More with Less
Sacrifice is essential to Boston’s success, and Jrue Holiday exemplifies what true sacrifice looks like. He has adapted to a role that demands much less usage than he experienced in his previous teams. Not once has he expressed frustration about this adjustment; instead, he consistently finds ways to make the most of his time on the court.
Jrue’s versatility is remarkable—he can embody multiple roles within a single game. He effectively contributes as a cutter, seamlessly filling in the gaps where needed.
Brown’s Case for All-Defense
Having discussed a couple of All-Defensive guards, it’s time to highlight Jaylen Brown’s contributions on that end of the floor.
While it’s true that Brown’s defensive impact has been inconsistent at times, with some notable off-ball lapses in the past, he has clearly turned a corner and shows no signs of looking back. He deserves recognition for his defensive efforts.
Boston Moves as One
Overall, the Celtics executed their defensive game plan effectively, successfully dictating the types of shots the Knicks were able to take. They made New York work tirelessly for minimal results.
The Knicks' Wing Duo Struggles
There’s been plenty of discussion about the Knicks' defensive wing duo of Bridges and Anunoby. After acquiring Bridges, many believed this team would be well-positioned to compete with the Celtics. While it’s true that New York has room for improvement as the season progresses, it’s clear that there remains a significant gap between the Jays and the Knicks' wing tandem.
The Nation is Embracing Mazzulla-Ball
The excitement around Mazzulla-ball is spreading across the nation. A year ago, many Celtics fans were calling for Joe Mazzulla's dismissal, questioning his coaching decisions and style of play. Fast forward to the present, and that sentiment has completely shifted. After leading the team to victory in the 2023-2024 championship, fans have embraced Mazzulla’s approach, trusting his strategies and ability to inspire the team. His journey from scrutiny to success has transformed him into a beloved figure in Boston, solidifying his place in the franchise's future.
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