Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Knicks: Extended Look at Top 6 Yields Mostly Positive Results
The Boston Celtics avenged their 114-107 preseason loss to the New York Knicks by earning a 123-110 victory Tuesday night at TD Garden.
Helping that cause was the host's top six players participating for most of the matchup after many missed the game in New York. Furthermore, Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and RJ Barrett had the night off.
Perhaps that led to Boston's dip in energy, but coming out sluggish after halftime is familiar to those who aren't new to this team. At least they sharpened their focus and quickly built too much of a cushion for a squad of players mainly further down the Knicks' rotation to overcome.
There was also plenty to like in the win, including Jayson Tatum's game-high 28-point performance and how well Boston executed the pick-and-roll with Kristaps Porzingis functioning as the screener, working with numerous ball handlers.
Fellow newcomer Jrue Holiday was also sharp, stuffing the stat sheet with ten points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Now for a deep dive into everything that stood out in Tuesday's victory.
1. Unlike the Celtics' preseason opener against the Sixers, the only other instance where the team's top six were each available, Joe Mazzulla deployed Jrue Holiday in the starting lineup.
The two-time All-Star flanked Derrick White in the backcourt, while Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis took on front-court duties, with Al Horford assuming the role of sixth man.
2. While much has been made about Horford often being left out of the starting five, he's said he has no problem doing so, and quickly made an impact off the bench on Tuesday, earning a Tommy Point by leaping around Dante DiVincenzo to get to the ball before it went out, then throwing it off the latter.
3. The Tatum-Porzingis pick-and-roll partnership already looks sharp -- granted, many of New York's regulars were out -- with the latter displaying his comfort in hitting shots off the short roll.
4. Sam Hauser made a nice play off the dribble in the first frame, putting the ball on the deck, getting into a gap in the Knicks' defense, and then finding Horford for a three from the opposite corner.
As the incumbent and better defender, Hauser has the advantage over Svi Mykhailiuk in a battle for playing time. But the former demonstrating he can do more than knock down threes offensively will put more distance between the two.
5. Boston erupted for 41 points in the first frame, including ten from Porzingis, leading all scorers after the opening 12 minutes, and eight from Tatum on 3/4 shooting.
The hosts extended their advantage from 11 after one quarter to 18 at halftime, taking a 78-60 edge into the break. A scorching-hot Tatum poured in 15 points in the second period, missing only one of his five attempts.
The four-time All-Star had 23 points at halftime. No one else on either side registered 14. He also grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists, had a block, and swiped a steal.
6. The Celtics' energy and, offensively, their execution wasn't up to par for most of the third quarter. That included five turnovers leading to eight points for New York.
Playing with a slower pace didn't help matters, either. And at the 4:01 mark, the hosts only had 13 points. Tatum and Brown, who hadn't come off the floor, combined for seven.
7. But that's when Boston flipped a switch against a lineup featuring mostly backups. A Jericho Sims turnover led to a Holiday three. Shortly after that, Brown buried one. Then, Tatum went to work in the low post, and the Celtics' lead quickly went from eight to enjoying a 17-point cushion.
They entered the final frame with a 100-88 advantage.
8. Porzingis got the hosts off to a solid start in the fourth quarter, teaming up with Payton Pritchard on an alley-oop that drew a loud ovation from the TD Garden faithful. Then, the former All-Star buried a three, and his defense against Isaiah Hartenstein induced a miss at the rim.
Defensively, the seven-foot-three center made his presence felt at the basket all night. Having perimeter defenders like Holiday, White, Tatum, and Brown also makes it easier for Porzingis to thrive in drop coverage. Of course, the same goes for the freedom they get to pressure the ball, knowing there's someone of his size and mobility behind them.
9. The Celtics' preseason finale is Thursday night against the Charlotte Hornets. After the top six played most of Tuesday's tilt, don't be surprised if they're off or don't play in the second half of that matchup.
Further Reading
Jrue Holiday Open to Sixth-Man Role: 'I Like Winning'
The Latest on Celtics' Extension Talks with Derrick White
Joe Mazzulla Indicates Neemias Queta has Earned More Playing Time
Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
