The Boston Celtics, with their new-look roster, displayed some familiar traits from last season’s team in their season opener against the New York Knicks. They built a substantial lead but almost let it slip away.
This time, however, the Celtics were able to secure the victory in the final minutes by executing plays on offense, distributing the ball, and locking down on defense. Kristaps Porzingis played a crucial role, scoring nine consecutive points to ensure the 108-104 win.
As is customary, there were positives and negatives to take away from the game. It’s essential not to overreact to just one game out of 82 and beyond. Here are some of the overreactions we experienced during the exciting, frustrating, and ultimately satisfying Celtics win at Madison Square Garden.
Kristaps Porzingis’ Heroics
Porzingis started the game strongly, remained solid throughout, and came through when the Celtics needed him most. In his debut for the Celtics, he set a new team record with 30 points and made a significant impact on defense with four blocks. The profanity-laden chants from Knicks fans only motivated Porzingis to perform even better against his former team, ultimately saving the day for the Celtics.
While the Celtics cannot expect this level of performance from Porzingis every night, his ability to influence the game on both ends of the floor is invaluable. The Celtics hope for his continued good health.
Jayson Tatum’s Stellar Performance
Tatum led all scorers with a seemingly effortless 34 points. He made 13 of his 22 shots, including three three-pointers. What stood out was Tatum’s effectiveness around the paint, where he went 8-for-9. He consistently attacked the basket, displaying the mindset he needs to have on most nights.
However, Tatum’s impact diminished in the fourth quarter. He made his final shot with 8:06 remaining and only attempted three more shots. The Knicks’ tenacious defense limited Tatum’s opportunities. In previous seasons, a quiet finish like that from Tatum could have sunk the Celtics. Fortunately, Porzingis’ heroics saved the day in this game.
Jaylen Brown’s Off Night
Despite being an All-NBA player, Brown had a disappointing season debut. It is essential not to overreact to one poor performance.
Brown shot just 4-for-11 and missed all four of his three-point attempts. He did contribute by leading the team with five assists, but also almost single-handedly allowed the Knicks to take control of the game. During a 90-second stretch in the fourth quarter, he made ill-advised passes and turnovers that led to easy points for the Knicks. To make matters worse, he fouled Quentin Grimes, resulting in a four-point play.
There will be better games for Brown, and he will undoubtedly lead the Celtics to victories. However, he lacked engagement at times and made mental errors that nearly cost his team the game.
Late-Game Struggles Continue
The Celtics struggled in the fourth quarter, shooting 5-for-14 overall and a mere 2-for-9 from beyond the arc. They also committed four of their 11 turnovers during this period. These icy stretches need to be avoided, especially on the road against scrappy teams like the Knicks.
Jrue Holiday’s Elite Defense
Although quiet on the offensive end, Holiday showcased his defensive prowess in his Celtics debut. If there were concerns about replacing Marcus Smart and his defensive tenacity, Holiday put those worries to rest.
Holiday made life difficult for whoever he guarded, particularly Julius Randle, who struggled to score when matched up against him. Randle went 1-for-10 with Holiday as his primary defender.
Despite not registering any steals, Holiday disrupted the Knicks’ offense with three deflections and even recorded three blocks.
Celtics’ Perimeter Defense Needs Improvement
The Celtics managed to limit the Knicks to 37% shooting overall, with New York making just 11 of their 34 shots in the paint. This defensive performance was impressive. However, the Celtics struggled to defend the three-point line, allowing the Knicks to heat up and convert 18 of their 41 attempts. Porzingis’ late heroics prevented this from being the deciding factor in the game. Nevertheless, the Celtics must improve their perimeter defense going forward.
Joe Mazzulla’s Timeout Management
The Celtics’ head coach, Joe Mazzulla, exhibited improved timeout management during the game. He used a timeout in the third quarter when the Knicks rapidly erased an 11-point Celtics lead in just over a minute. Mazzulla’s decision to utilize two timeouts in the final minute of the game helped secure the victory.
One standout instance was when Tatum found himself trapped by the Knicks’ defense with 20 seconds left and the Celtics clinging to a two-point lead. Mazzulla called a timeout, allowing the Celtics to advance the ball. This led to Payton Pritchard receiving an inbound pass from Tatum and subsequently making two free throws to seal the victory.
It’s early in Mazzulla’s second season as a head coach, but he has already shown growth. Any concerns about his rotations in Game 1, such as Porzingis playing 38 minutes, will likely be addressed in the coming weeks.
New Flopping Rules Could Be Controversial
The Celtics-Knicks game featured two questionable flop technical fouls. One was called on Porzingis when Donte DiVincenzo elbowed him, causing him to fall backward. The other was called on Jalen Brunson, who fell down after a three-point attempt due to landing on Tatum’s foot. These calls highlight the NBA’s emphasis on eliminating exaggerated reactions to minor contact.
If these new rules are strictly enforced throughout the season, it could become tiresome for players and fans alike. It will be interesting to see how the league handles these situations going forward.
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