The C’s 2nd Half Offense: Just How Much Did They Settle?
Posted by Brian Robb on May 3, 2010
It was the common refrain after Game 1. In the 1st half, the Celtics were aggressive, attacking Cleveland’s interior relentlessly for 34 points in the paint and 8 second chance points. It added up to 54 percent shooting while building the Green an 11 point halftime lead.
Then the 2nd half arrived and the C’s aggressiveness quickly dissipated by the midway point of the third frame. People have pointed to Mo Williams, saying he was the real spark, but make no mistake, the C’s offense contentness to set up shot outside the paint for the majority of the final 19 minutes of this contest was as pivotal as any other development in this contest. The item came up for discussion at yesterday’s practice and Doc Rivers did not mince words addressing it: (WEEI.com)
“I thought we settled,” Doc Rivers said. “I said it after the game. Usually after the game you say stuff and then you watch the film and half of it is true, half of it is what you thought you saw. But it’s pretty much what we saw. We bailed out on a lot of shots, quick shots. We didn’t make a lot of next passes, we didn’t attack. We had guys flying at us in the air and we’re still trying to shoot jump shots instead of putting the ball back on the floor. That’s not even an adjustment. That’s what we should do anyway.”
How about fatigue Doc? Was that a factor in those shots, given the starters heavy minutes?
“It had nothing to do with fatigue,” Rivers said. “We settled. It happens.”
Well then, that’s settled. Paul Pierce, a penny for your thoughts?
“I think the jumpers that we did get we’re good looks and that I’ll take,” Pierce said. “Doc talks about when the jumpers aren’t falling, you got to take the ball to the bucket. That’s part of the game. I was a little disappointed only going to the free throw line twice. I think I’ve got to be a little more aggressive in the paint. I’ll still take the shots that I took but I have to mix it up a little bit more.”
A little different tune from The Captain, regarding his shot selection. This exchange in particular begged for further exploration. Just how jump shot happy did the Celtics get during the final 19 minutes? A closer examination at the numbers, after the jump
The C’s long distance campaign began right at the 7 minute mark in the 3rd period, just after Rajon Rondo had taken his last field goal attempt of this contest. Coincidence? Unlikely. Still, a breakdown was in order to see just how jump shot happy the C’s had become, compared to their season numbers.
Final 19 minutes of Game 1 Shot Location Breakdown
Location FG/FGA Season FG%
3PT 3/11 34.8
16-23 ft 2/6 42.9
10-15 ft 0/5 40.8
Inside 10 ft 6/10
Clearly, a bad shooting night from all areas on the perimeter. We already knew that though. For now, let’s try to investigate just what percentage of shots the C’s were taking from each of these areas and how those compared to the C’s season trends.
Location % of Game 1 FGA in area Season % of FGA in area
3PT 34.3 22.8
Outside 16 ft. 53.1 44
Outside 10 ft. 68.7 54
Inside 10 ft. 31.3 46
As you can see, there’s quite a discrepancy in all those categories. In fact, the only players who attacked the hoop successfully in the latter stages the 2nd half were the bench guys and Kendrick Perkins. TA delivered an AND 1, as well as an offensive board putback in the 3rd quarter. Glen Davis and Perk combined for 3 out of 4 from in close. Baby and TA both got to the line a few times as well. Rajon Rondo, though he was not attacking nearly as much as he should have been, also managed to get to the line as well four times in the 4th quarter.
The rest of The Big Three though? Only four field goal attempts from in close in the final 19 minutes. Combine that with Just two free throw attempts altogether in the ENTIRE GAME, (averaged 12.5 FTA/Game during reg. season) and you got yourselves an attacking problem.
So what to make of all this? It’s true when The Truth mentioned that a lot of those longer looks were open shots. However, you have to stick to the formula that is working. For the 1st half, the C’s offense attacked relentlessly and it paid great dividends. So are the C’s going to have to take some long jumpers to win this series? Absolutely. Should they adjust the tendencies of their offense to look for them? Absolutely not.
The C’s bailed out the C’s in Game 1 and those numbers were a big reason why. Tonight, look for a much more assertive C’s offense with all of the starters, not just Rajon Rondo insisting on attacking the basket.
The Ticker