Boston kicks off the first of two consecutive matchups against the Brooklyn Nets tonight. The Celtics are looking for their third straight win, while the Nets try to pick up their third win of the season. Here are some factors that could determine which side comes out on top.
Can Jordan Walsh help slow down Michael Porter Jr.?
Porter Jr. is living up to the hopes Brooklyn had when they traded Cameron Johnson for him. He’s quickly transitioned from a more fluid role in Denver, into that of a #1 scoring option with the Nets. He’s currently averaging 24 PPG on 18 FGA, and just scored a season-high 34 points against the Wizards.
Since breaking into the rotation, Jordan Walsh has essentially become Boston’s wing stopper – drawing the matchup against the other team’s best perimeter player. Each has required a different focus, and Porter Jr. will, too.
While he’s stepped up into a larger role, Porter Jr. thrives when he can curl around screens and find openings off the ball. He’ll catch and fire in tight windows, or use a few dribbles to get to a pull-up jumper. This season, 85% of Porter Jr.’s FGA attempts have come from 0-2 dribbles.
The keys for Walsh and the Celtics will be awareness, ball denial and successful screen navigation. If they can keep Porter Jr. from getting easy catches and avoid being caught on screens, they’ll take away a significant source of Brooklyn’s offense.
Will Payton Pritchard and Derrick White maintain their hot shooting?
The Celtics starting guards would likely be the first to admit that their start to the season hasn’t been up to their standards. They’ve had their moments, and impacted games in different ways, but both have been surprisingly cold from three.
If the last few games are any indication, we might see a quick correction to the norm.
Through the first 12 games, White has shot a frustrating 28% from three, while Pritchard has had even less luck at 25.6%. In their current two-game win streak, White and Pritchard are at 50% and 56.5% respectively.
That inconsistency is as good of an explanation as any for Boston’s uneven play. If these two can continue to return their usual trustworthy selves, the team could really get into a groove.
The Nets have given up the fourth fewest 3PA per game this season, while the Celtics are attempting the second most per game. In their wins, they’ve shot 37.3%, but only 30.5% in the losses.
With a variety of capable wings and mobile centers, Brooklyn is comfortable switching ball screens and having their bigs up high in the pick and roll. If White and Pritchard can continue their hot streak and find the gaps in this coverage, they’ll be able to put a lot of pressure on the Nets.
Who wins the Neemias Queta vs. Nic Claxton matchup?
This isn’t the headliner that gets everyone tuning into the game, but it’s an interesting matchup between two bigs that are playing quality basketball and probably flying under the radar a bit.
Both centers are in their age-26 season and continue to improve their game, though their trajectories have been quite different. Claxton has been a full-time starter for the past four seasons, while Queta is getting his first crack at that role.
Claxton is averaging 15 points and seven rebounds with over a block per game. Queta is at nine points and eight rebounds per night with an equal amount of blocks to his name.
While each center spends a considerable amount of time as the screener in the pick and roll, Claxton is leaned on a lot to initiate the offense for the Nets. He’s averaging a hair under four assists per game, setting teammates up in dribble handoff scenarios.
This is particularly effective combined with Porter Jr.’s aforementioned off-ball ability. Claxton helps free him up with his screening and passing ability. They’ve quickly developed a two-man connection that can either open a window for Porter Jr. or leave Claxton uncovered as a roller.
This is likely to draw Queta out of the paint, and if Boston is a step behind it could be a more difficult cover than one might expect by looking at the Net’s record. It’s another opportunity for Queta to get tested against a solid starting big, and so far, he’s been up for the test.
