#1 - Can’t get to the line if you don’t attack the rim
Let’s get the referee topic out of the way before we dig in. The Celtics’ low number of free throws last night, and overall this season, isn’t caused by a conspiracy against Boston.
Free-throw volume is highly correlated with rim pressure. However, the Celtics are last in rim frequency in the NBA, just like they were last season. So it makes sense that, once again, the Celtics are also last in free-throw rate.
#2 - No transition juice
After one of their best games in transition against Toronto, the Celtics were completely out of transition juice. Against the Raptors, Boston scored more than 1.8 points per possession on fast breaks — against the Spurs, that number dropped to 0.55 points per possession.
It cost the Celtics the game because transition was the only opportunity they had to attack the paint without Luke Kornet or Victor Wembanyama protecting it.
#3 - Dealing with Wemby on offense
When the French center was on the court, the Celtics scored at a rate of 88 points per 100 possessions, well below their usual offensive standard (122 points per 100 possessions).
At first, the Spurs wanted to keep him as close as possible to the paint. They put him on non-shooters like Hugo Gonzalez and kept him roaming in the restricted area. However, the Celtics quickly adjusted and made sure that whoever was matched up with Wemby had to set a screen.
This way, Boston could involve the French man and force him to move out of the paint. Yet, the Spurs kept him in drop coverage to limit the distance he had to cover after the screen — and the Celtics struggled to punish it.
His frame and mobility make it extremely hard to attack and often completely alter the shot a player wants to take. Even when he doesn’t contest the shot, his presence in the paint makes attempts far more difficult.
Because of Wemby, the Celtics had one of their worst nights at the rim, shooting just 58% within four feet of the basket — far below their usual 70%. But while Boston struggled offensively against the Spurs because of him, they did a great job of limiting his offensive impact.
#4 - It takes five Celtics to stop an alien
We say an image is worth a thousand words, so first of all, take a good look at this spacing:
The Celtics decided the Spurs would have to make their threes — and live with the results — if they wanted to win. They knew Luka Garza or Neemias Queta couldn’t handle Wembanyama alone, and that the wings were too small to defend him one-on-one. So they attacked him with numbers.
Here, Anfernee Simons is switched onto Wemby and defends as well as possible without fouling, knowing there are literally four bodyguards behind him ready to protect the paint.
On the play below, help is ready as soon as Wembanyama catches the ball at the nail. Garza and Simons smartly invert their positions to provide better rim protection behind Jordan Walsh.
The goal of the Celtics’ defense was to force him into jumpers or kick-outs, knowing the Spurs aren’t an elite shooting team. What they really wanted to avoid was him catching the ball on the move, with space. Because, well, just ask Hugo Gonzalez:
Overall, the Celtics did a great job limiting his impact and exposing San Antonio’s lack of spacing. They probably gave other teams a blueprint on how to defend the Spurs when the French man is on the court.
#5 - Three made field goals in the last six minutes
Back to the offense, where the Celtics really struggled — especially at the end of the game. They were leading entering the final six minutes, and then everything collapsed.
During that stretch, Boston tried to force shot-making instead of creating advantages: only four drives for eight jump shots. They missed every jumper, but still generated eight points from those drives (three made field goals and one trip to the line).
This late-game issue circles back to the first takeaway. The Celtics looked out of juice, and the lack of whistles was probably caused by their unwillingness to repeatedly attack the rim.
#6 - Losing the possession battle
Another sign the Celtics were out of energy: they lost the possession battle against the Spurs. That’s a rare sight for a team that builds its success on taking more shots than its opponent.
The Celtics had 95 true shooting attempts, while the Spurs had 104. With nine extra opportunities, San Antonio could overcome its own lack of shot-making and Boston’s strong defensive game plan.
#7 - Baylor the fireman
The unexpected hero of the night, despite the loss, was the fireman: Baylor Scheierman. His defensive IQ and ability to read the game stood out against the Spurs. Two steals, strong defensive work on Wembanyama, and a charge — real added value off the bench.
On offense, his shooting provides better spacing than Gonzalez or Walsh. When the defense connects too, he looks like a legitimate rotation player for this team.
#8 - Fox too fast for the Celtics
As discussed often, Boston struggles against quick guards — like on opening night against Philadelphia with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. That was once again the case with De’Aaron Fox.
The former King did a great job running the floor and using screens to lose his defender and create chaos within the Celtics’ defensive shell. Despite solid effort from Payton Pritchard, the screening and movement didn’t allow him to stay connected, and Fox got to the rim.
With his drives, he forced the defense to collapse and consistently found open shooters or cutters, like here with Keldon Johnson. That led to six assists alongside his 21 points, making him the Spurs’ main offensive engine last night.
#9 - Creating open shots for JB
Jaylen Brown struggled, missing 17 shots, but the Celtics’ coaching staff still did a good job creating quality catch-and-shoot looks for him. On this play, a strong exit screen from Derrick White next to the pick-and-roll completely breaks the Spurs’ defensive structure.
On the following possession, Brown sets a ghost screen on the ball, then runs off a Queta screen. The defense stays too focused on the ball, leaving just enough space for JB to pull from three.
#10 - We miss Luke Kornet
It was a pleasure to see Luke Kornet last night. The tribute videos were a reminder of how much he’s missed.
There were only a few minutes of the double-big lineup with Wembanyama, but hopefully we’ll see more of that later in the season for the Spurs.