Nylon Calculus: The Celtics offense has been unstoppable in the clutch
By Ian Levy
The Celtics survived the loss of their two best players during the regular season — Gordon Hayward on Opening Night and Kyrie Irving in March — with both evolution and doubling down on their strengths. At different points, Terry Rozier, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have all assumed more offensive responsibility than was expected preseason and each has elevated their games in different ways.
But what really helped Boston stay in control of the Eastern Conference for the first half of the season and hold onto the No. 2 seed in the playoffs was their defense. They finished the regular season allowing 101.5 points per 100 possessions, the best mark in the league. Their offensive efficiency, 105.2 points per 100 possessions, ranked just 18th.
Among the most remarkable elements of their playoff run is that their offense has actually been better in the postseason, scoring an additional 1.7 points per 100 possessions, against the 17th (Bucks) and third-best (76ers) regular season defenses. The foursome mentioned above have all played a part in the increased efficiency and in closing time, they’ve been absolutely off the charts.
The Celtics have played 36 clutch minutes in the playoffs, defined as any point in the last five minutes of regular or overtime when neither team is leading by more than five. The next-closest team is the Cavaliers, who have played 27 such minutes. In those clutch minutes, Boston is scoring an average of 131.6 points per 100 possessions. The teams who have been more efficient in the clutch — the Pelicans, Rockets, and Spurs — have played a combined 17 clutch minutes in the playoffs.
What’s incredible is that, again, it’s been all four of those players for Boston who have helped carry the load in these high-leverage minutes. Terry Rozier is 4-of-5 on 3-pointers and 10-of-11 from the free throw line. Al Horford is 17-of-21 from the free throw line. Both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are shooting better than 50 percent from the field and have combined for just three turnovers. In all, this quartet has combined to score 90 points in Boston’s 36 clutch minutes, on a 70.3 true shooting percentage.
Next: In appreciation of Al Horford's two-way brilliance in the NBA Playoffs
The Cavaliers stole Game 1 and momentum from the Raptors with some huge plays down the stretch of a close game. Boston may not be able to sustain this level of clutch efficiency but they certainly appear more confident and organized in these scenarios than the Raptors were. And even if it isn’t enough to counter the inherent LeBron-ness of the Cavaliers, it’s just one more piece of evidence that Boston’s youngsters are thriving in the high-leverage learning opportunities they’re being given.