The Celtics are enjoying an extra day off this week, allowing them to throw an extra practice onto the docket before heading to Atlanta Thursday to prepare for an important back-to-back with the Hawks Friday and New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.
The Celtics, fresh off two blowout wins that coincide with a return to full health, are hoping these next two games prove that a little continuity will lead to a lot more consistency.
"Building on what we're doing on both ends of the court. Continue to build on the defensive concepts and schemes we've running,” Ime Udoka said of his practice plan. “A chance to touch on some things we haven't in a while and then, offensively, we got a lot of shots up.
“But also, start to dig into Atlanta a little bit, preparing for them with the few days in advance. It's good to get some practice time in. They're playing well. Won four in a row. Trae Young's playing extremely well, so start to touch on some points as far as that."
This is a pivotal game for the Hawks, too. They have been disappointing this season but are hoping a late run similar to last season’s will propel them back into the playoff picture. Boston visited last February and was handled easily by the Hawks, who went on an eight game winning streak that began two games later. The Hawks were 13-18 when they met Boston, but soon were 20-20 and rising in the standings.
This year’s Hawks are 21-25, but they finish the month with games against Sacramento, Boston, the LA Lakers, and Toronto. Those are winnable games to the Hawks.
But Atlanta is a winnable game to the Celtics, who are finally tasting a bit of success, thanks in part to some continuity.
"Obviously, the physicality is up with a strong point guard, big wings and two bigs out there,” Udoka said. “We have a size advantage. Like our versatility, physicality, connectivity. It seems like, the last two games, with those guys back, we've been really good to start. But it also adds depth off the bench with Dennis (Schröder), (Josh Richardson), some of the young wings as well. Just feels like we're more whole obviously, coming in waves. Guys can get after it a little bit more."
The Celtics have ramped up their defense, not only because of Marcus Smart at the point of attack, but with Robert Williams manning the back line.
“You can pressure the ball a little bit more because you know if you get beat, he’s back there protecting,” Jayson Tatum said. “He’s just a lot more vocal now than in previous years and he’s always active.”
Williams has bounced back after a tough December, and is in almost every top defensive lineup for the Celtics. According to Cleaning The Glass, opponents’ offensive ratings drop by 4.3 points and their effective field goal percentage drops 1.8% with Williams on the floor.
"It's huge. We've done some different things, whether he's guarding the big and switching on or put him off-ball, he's able to protect the rim a little more there,” Udoka said. “So we found some things we like with him defensively. But we challenged our guys, individual defense in general, that's the start of us being a good defensive team. And knowing he's back there to protect as well as well as some size in general I think let's guys be a little more aggressive on the perimeter.”
Wins on the back-to-back would be a nice statement for the Celtics before facing the Miami Heat back at home next Monday. A pair of wins, depending on how some things shake out above them, could pull the Celtics closer to avoiding the play-in tournament.
MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY
When asked about the team being whole for the first time in a while, Tatum made sure to mention Robert Williams specifically.
“Yeah for sure. Especially when Rob’s playing. I love when Rob plays,” he said. “Obviously when myself and JB are out, other guys gotta step up. But I just love when Rob plays.”
The allowance for a bit more defensive aggression was one part of it. But then, obviously, there's also the ability to throw him lobs.
“When you’re driving in traffic and you gotta kick out, you can just throw it to the sky and he’ll catch it,” Tatum said.
After practice, Williams said the feeling is mutual.
“Facts, I love playing with JT. I think it’s just the bond we’ve built on and off the court,” Williams said. “We’ve been playing together three, four years. I know what spots he’s trying to get to on the court. I know how to screen for him. We’ve got a pretty good feel for where others are going to be on the court and vice versa. He knows where I’m gonna be when he needs an outlet, so like I said off the court we’re tight, so it all plays into each other.”
They're even connecting on some high-quality alley oops, some of which were not always on point in past years, either from Tatum or his teammates.
“I for sure feel like they got better,” Williams said. “I wouldn’t say they were bad at throwing lobs it’s just they weren’t used to it. They kind of got this mindset of throw it anywhere now. So as long as they’re throwing it it’s my job to go get it.”
That still leads to some stray attempts, but there's always the expectation that Williams will catch it.
“Usually, if they throw one out of reach and I say something to 'em about it, they usually say like, 'It don't matter, go get that shit,'” he explained. “So it's pretty cool. No excuses. I understand.”
BOL BOL IN THE BUILDING
Newly acquired Bol Bol was at the Auerbach Center on Wednesday, on crutches and in a walking boot after his foot surgery. For now, there isn’t much of an expectation for having him on the floor.
“At best, he'd be back late in the season, if at all,” Udoka said. “It's a surgery that takes a few months to get healed up. … The rehab process has started, having him around the trainers and our guys and that's the first step and just having him rehabbing with us.”
Bol’s future with the Celtics is very much hazy. He is both an intriguing prospect and a moveable contract for tax relief. Still, the team is trying its best to get him acclimated.
“He's been around the group for a few days now and we're just getting him up to speed with what we do and how we do things,” Udoka said. “And so just good to have him around the group.”
There is, at least, one familiar face in Boston for Bol. He and Payton Pritchard were teammates for a season at Oregon.
“Having an ex-teammate here, although he didn’t play a ton, he was around for the whole year with Payton. And so I'm sure they spent a ton of time together,” Udoka said. “And just a familiar face in general is obviously going to be helpful, especially when you're not actively part of every practice or game because of the injury, so I'm sure he's happy to see Payton and vice versa.”
GET ON THE LINE!
Practice ended with the coaching staff running sprints.
They got Ime out here doing sprints pic.twitter.com/HZEMshSewQ
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) January 26, 2022
“We had to end practice with two free throws and we couldn't make them. Once we missed, maybe like the second (of) four, made the coaches run suicides,” Robert Williams said. “So, it was fun. … We try to keep smiling faces around. Just bring joy. Little moments like that are appreciated like that.”
HUNGRY, HUNGRY HENDRIX
New poppa Robert Williams is enjoying his newborn son Hendrix, but it appears that a lot of Williams’ new contract extension will be going towards food.
“He's good man. He just eats a lot,” Williams said. “He eats a lot. It's crazy how much he eats. But he's healthy, so I'm thankful for that.”