There is no doubt that the PK between the Celtics and the Nets is the most eye-catching matchup in the first round of the playoffs this season. At the same time, this set of duels is also seen as a singles-related contest.
Statistics show that the Nets are one of the teams with the largest proportion of singles in the league, with 10.8% of their possessions ending in singles. At the same time, the Nets scored 1.03 points per possession in singles, which also ranks in the top three in the league. The so-called rivalry, the Celtics-Nets series is special because the Celtics are one of the teams with the strongest ability to limit singles in the league. Looking at the whole league, no team will play as many defenses as the Celtics, and forcing opponents into a one-on-one situation is their main strategy on the defensive end.
“We’re on opposite ends of the spectrum, and both teams have done a really good job of that,” Uduka said.
During the regular season, the Celtics experienced a lot of ups and downs. Early in the season, their defensive performance was a bit disappointing. Infinite defensive switching is not only a test of players’ individual defensive ability, but also a test of tacit understanding on the court. But as the season progressed, the Celtics gradually showed their terrifying strength. Statistics show that Horford is the player with the most defensive singles possessions this season, not because he is deceiving on the defensive end, but because of the Celtics’ strategy. Robert Williams, who was unable to play the first few games of the series due to injury, ranks in the top six in the league’s singles-limited efficiency rankings, as are his two other teammates, Horford and Grant Williams. among. Today, more and more backcourt players in the league are eager to complete the scoring in a small and big way, but under the Celtics’ defense, this road seems to be unworkable.
However, Irving and Durant may become exceptions. The Celtics’ defense is second to none in the league, and the singles ability of Irving and Durant is also an absolute leader in the league. “The Nets have two of the best isolation players and they also have the most isolation possessions in the league. However, we don’t have a defensive loophole, so it’s a series about strategy. ‘ said Uduka.
This season, the two sides have faced each other in four regular season games, but Durant and Irving have played only one game at the same time. In that game, the Nets let Irving and Drummond pick and roll in the first round. The Celtics did not choose to attack, but used Horford to defend Irving one-on-one. In the following game, KD also made a similar attempt, and later it was replaced by Robert Williams one-on-one against Durant. It might sound like an incredible switch option, but the Celtics are absolutely confident in their players’ performance on the defensive end.
“For us, infinite switching is the foundation of the team’s defense, and I believe in our defense, not just as individuals, but as a team,” Uduka said.
Of course, the Celtics’ defense is not without any changes. Uduka actually knows both Irving and KD very well, and the personal abilities of the two do not need to be said more. If Durant and Irving can easily destroy the Celtics’ switch, Uduka will need to make other adjustments. Obviously, the appearance of pincer attack will naturally give the other Nets players more opportunities to leak. At this time, the Nets’ offense has put forward higher requirements for the Celtics’ defense.
In the past few days of training, the Celtics are also focusing on this aspect of the drill. “There will be a lot of one-on-one games, but we also need to rotate the defense. In defense, we have to make the court less space, especially when Drummond is on the court with Bruce Brown, There is a huge gap between their 3-point shooting and Seth Curry, we have to make the court more crowded. If you give the Nets a lot of offensive space, it is difficult to guard them. ‘ said Theis.
In this series, the Celtics need to be smart all the time. Although the Nets are only seventh in the East in the regular season, when Durant played, their record was 36 wins and 19 losses. Irving played with KD at the same time, and the team scored 122.8 points in 100 possessions. Having two stars with no solution on the offensive end is the capital for the Nets to challenge other teams in the playoffs. Although the Celtics also have Brown and Tatum in the lineup, defense is their basic game. With Lowe unavailable, the team’s defensive resources are good enough to cause huge trouble for the Nets.
“There is no doubt that Durant and Irving are the best offensive players in the basketball world. Defending Durant and Irving is a big challenge, but we’re looking forward to it. Basketball is a five-man game, not 1-on-1, nor 2 on 2, it’s a five-man game,” Jaylen Brown said. (Sports Weekly)Return to Sohu, see more
Editor:
Disclaimer: The opinions of this article only represent the author himself, Sohu is an information publishing platform, and Sohu only provides information storage space services.