NBA Notebook: Why can't Ime Udoka stop Celtics' fourth-quarter collapses?

Ime Udoka called two timeouts during the Celtics' 28-15 decisive fourth-quarter, in the loss to the Atlanta Hawks — after Boston pulled within three points through the third quarter. Udoka typically rallies his assistants, Will Hardy, Ben Sullivan and Damon Stoudamire, who huddle up on the floor while the team unwinds on the bench. Then, Udoka takes a seat amongst the team and begins to draw up his plan. It varies by game and opponent. 

Some would be surprised Udoka and his first-year staff held the NBA's top spot in points per possession out of timeout last week, according to Synergy's tracking data, with 1.01 PPP. Half Court Hoops rightfully noted Synergy doesn't nail what an ATO set is all the time, and another database positions Boston as tied for 11th with 1.10 PPP in a crowded, ever-changing hierarchy as of Sunday. Still, it's clear Udoka is cooking with some fire in these situations. Boston ranks fourth in three-point percentage following ATOs (35.4%), sixth in free throws made and ninth with a 49 eFG% on ATO plays. So why can't those save the Celtics late? 

The Celtics collapsed in another fourth quarter on Friday, falling to 23rd in offense and defense during final frames this season, amounting to a 26th-ranked -5.1 net rating. Timeouts have allowed the team to reestablish their offensive emphasizes and aggressively slow opposing runs, but Udoka can't call them every play. The Celtics already rank sixth in total timeouts called. He left two on the table Friday, as he presses Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to command the offense themselves through tumultuous situations. 

"(It's) recognizing advantages," Udoka told BostonSportsJournal.com regarding his team's success in ATO situations. "What has worked well for us matchup-wise on the court, and then the players going out there and executing. They've done a great job, obviously. We've put in some sets and seems some things that work against specific teams. Myself and the staff have five, six, seven different options or sets that we like to run against a certain defense, and kind of stick with what's worked in that game and then obviously guys have obviously had a really hot hand."

The Celtics targeted Robert Williams III in three out of five ATO situations during the loss to Atlanta. Boston is utilizing Brown and Tatum down screens more often to fixate the defense on their activity above the free-throw line, while Williams III dives to the basket through an overcompensating defense. Two of the Williams III calls ended in successful baskets, the third an errant lob attempt from Marcus Smart as part of an 0-for-2 finish out of the huddle. Williams III quipped earlier in the week that his teammates tell him to just go get it when he can't pull down poorly thrown lobs. 

Other situations see the Celtics create defensive imbalance with misdirections, like a fake dribble handoff through Grant Williams. Throughout games, Boston moves defenders away from their actions with the threat of screens, off-ball picks, rolls and they try to put the ball in Brown and Tatum's hands by popping them from the inside to the perimeter. Udoka's playbook seeks to create advantages. The ball dominance of the team's stars, lack of playmaking and shooting around them make it difficult to fool anyone though. Opponents routinely double, pack the paint, or do anything else they can to redirect the ball from Brown and Tatum to their teammates. 

In response, Boston includes an array of ghost screens, which never actually get set, plus flares to force switches and pin-downs to get Brown and Tatum driving downhill following the catch. Udoka's play sheet is loaded. He wants the Celtics to be able to execute the sets in the flow of the game, not relying on him to micromanage. 

Some coaches do play calls from the sideline repeatedly. It's increasingly rare in the NBA. The liberal number of screens the guards set in the Celtics' system set them up directly against mismatches they should be able to exploit, or pulling defenses away from their teammates for easy finishes. They aren't always to score either, potentially allowing others to get their own easy looks as defenses scramble. That was the idea of a potential game-winning draw-up we'll get to shortly. Here, Tatum's screen action, pop-out and Williams III's roll aim to create space for Smart, but there are always options the Celtics' ball-handlers need to read and react to within these plays. That's where Brown and Tatum find issues. 

"We need some leadership," Udoka said after the Celtics' 25-point collapse against the Knicks earlier this month. "Somebody that can calm us down and not get rattled when everything starts to go a little south. I think it snowballs between our guys, so step up, or do I have to stop all our momentum and pace and call a play?" 

Much of what Udoka discussed on that ghastly night in New York reemerged during last week's final 7:00 without a field goal in an 11-point collapse against the Trail Blazers. The defining moment of that loss came out of timeout, trailing by one point, with under 10 seconds to go. Udoka ran Tatum through a pair of high screens, Brown popping above the arc, and Williams III setting a follow-up screen to switch Tatum onto Jusuf Nurkic, before diving to the rim. 

Udoka wanted Tatum to give the ball up, among several options available on the horns set, either to Williams III rolling, who was covered, or Brown, who was open to his left. Instead, Tatum created his own separation against Nurkic and chose to take a three himself down by one point on a night where he hit 0 shots beyond the arc. 

Brown and Tatum combined for 12 turnovers in the Celtics' loss to the Hawks. They struggled to involve Smart and Williams III's playmaking late, their touches ultimately dwarfing the two more talented passing teammates. Simple drive-and-kicks into pressure threes for players like Romeo Langford, cold off the bench, define Boston's crunch time approach, rather than easier baskets that Boston's activity creates earlier in games. 

The Jays carry a heavy scoring burden that seems to overtake them in key situations. They're often unable to counteract the dropping defense Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu threw at them on Friday. Defenses taking the paint away, while Boston's role shooters struggle to convert, has been an easy formula to stop the Celtics this season, as Joel Embiid noted following Philadelphia's recent win over the Celtics. 

Udoka's scrutinized Dennis Schröder and Smart pairing returned in the fourth quarter in Atlanta. Langford and Grant's appearances in crunch time last week against Portland didn't work either. The common denominators in the fourth continue to falter, aside from a key moment where Brown came through as a late-game ball handler against Indiana. 

When Brown and Tatum utilize each other's gravity and make quick decisions against advantages, the Celtics' offense thrives. They've struggled to generate these looks for each other though, and when it comes to timeouts and set plays, the opposing coaches often know, or learn fast, what's coming. 

"We always look at situations like that, what teams are doing at the start of the game, start of the quarter, ATOs," Nate McMillan told CLNS Media pre-game on Friday. "They do a good job of calling sets ... we are aware of their success with their ATOs." 

Just as the Brown and Tatum playmaking experiment may not succeed, creating a need for more of a pure playmaker, Udoka's approach, which leans on the players to execute with the tools they've been given may not pan out either. He's persistently prioritized that goal, not overreacting to what's becoming a dearth of triumphant fourth quarters. Smart continues to promote his services in those spots, while remaining amicable to the style Udoka wants him to play. Smart may have a point as the team's best pure passer, and how long can his understated role last after he sets the table effectively earlier in games only to see his efforts squandered in the fourth? 

Would more heavy-handed coaching work in crunch time? Key miscues by the players in ATO sets late in games point toward no. Missed shots and mistakes aside, Boston's best players need to flat-out be better when the pressure and turmoil builds late. They should lean on others, including Smart, Williams and Udoka, to make the game easier on themselves. That's another decision Udoka seems to be leaving in their hands. 

They're finding the advantages the Celtics would seek out of timeout. It's on Brown and Tatum to react, create secondary dribble lanes to the hoop, then reposition themselves to catch-and-shoot. All the things primary playmakers need to do. 

"At the end of it, the players need to go out there and execute, and it comes down to making shots. So it's a combination of everything. I think we've zeroed in on some things that we really like against specific teams," Udoka concluded at practice earlier this week. 

Credit to Gibson Pyper and Half Court Hoops for his breakdown of Boston's playbook. Subscribe to his coaching analysis here. 

Here's what else happened in the NBA this week... 

Atlanta (23-25): Winners of six straight amid the return of De'Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okongwu's continued resurgence. Lockdown efforts in the defensive end on the Bucks, Heat, Hornets and Celtics on Friday make the streak no joke. They're getting hot and healthy at a similar point as they did last year, possibly making some of the trade chatter around them moot. They rank fourth in defense (106.2) and second in offense (118.8) since their streak began, Trae Young averaging 27.2 PPG and 8.7 APG while Hunter settled into a tertiary scoring role (15.5 PPG). That may make John Collins expendable, more likely in the offseason than at this deadline. 

Boston (25-25): Won 7-of-10, including two blowout offensive showings against the Wizards and Kings that also propelled the Celtics' defense to No. 2 in defense this month. Then, they melted down with four turnovers on five possessions and 18 fourth-quarter points against the Hawks on Friday, unable to overcome Atlanta's late shot-making and their own lack of it (19.2% from three). They're trending in the right direction, but the team's fatal flaw has hardly been addressed -- now a -5.1 net rating (26th) in the fourth quarter.

Brooklyn (29-19): Could James Harden bolt? The noise could be as much pressure on Kyrie Irving to join the team full-time and for the organization to ramp-up championship efforts as his refusal to sign an extension before the season was. Harden's posting 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG and 10.8 APG in January with the Nets 6-7 when he plays, Kevin Durant now injured and Irving no closer to joining the team full-time. 

The threat Philadelphia presents seems large enough that Yahoo reported potential tampering accusations arising from a Harden signing with the 76ers. I'm not buying it, but could Ben Simmons be a better fit for Brooklyn into the future anyway? There's a case that Brooklyn should play ball, rather than re-up Harden long-term. 

Charlotte (28-22): Scored 158 points in a win over the Pacers, led by Kelly Oubre Jr.'s 39 points and a LaMelo Ball triple-double. Miles Bridges led their victory over the Lakers the next night in what's become a massive offensive performance by committee. Even with Gordon Hayward in COVID protocol. They've reportedly entered the Ben Simmons conversation with their array of skilled players and assets, and why not given their defensive needs? 

Ball has all the tools on that end, earning this block without even trying, discipline on that end continues to hold them back from truly entering the east's upper-echelon. They're close though. 

Chicago (30-18): Losers of 7-of-10 against mounting injuries, ranking 27th in defense in January and unable to reintegrate Alex Caruso on that end due to a frustrating foul by Grayson Allen that broke Caruso's wrist and earned Allen a one-game suspension. Caruso will miss 6-8 weeks after various other ailments, including COVID, sidelined him over the past month, sitting him on the sideline alongside Zach LaVine (knee) and Javonte Green (groin) returned from extended absences this week and should provide some boost while Lonzo Ball (knee), Derrick Jones Jr. (finger) and Caruso continue to sit for the foreseeable future.

Cleveland (30-19): They received a useful $8.9-million disabled player exception for Ricky Rubio as they inch within two games of the top seed in the east. Rubio's contract also gives them flexibility and more freedom to be a buyer than they otherwise would've, a potential blessing in disguise if they can pull off the right moves. Collin Sexton is eyeing a deep playoff run too, not ruling out a return from his torn meniscus. They'll need to upgrade their 19th-ranked offense in January to do so. Could Dennis Schröder and Josh Richardson help? 

Dallas (28-21): They're No. 1 in defense this month as January concludes this week. A remarkable first-year feat for Jason Kidd and his staff. They face a harder decision against the luxury tax, limited in what they can extend Jalen Brunson for and facing Dorian Finney-Smith's unrestricted free agency this offseason. They've already overloaded themselves with future money between Luka Dončić, Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. -- setting them up for a potentially difficult deadline decision between wing and guard play. They'll reportedly try to keep both. They've been connected to John Collins, Myles Turner and Schröder ahead of the deadline. Indiana could target Finney-Smith. 

Denver (27-21): Topped Brooklyn on the road behind Nikola Jokic's 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to score their third straight win. A modest Jokic night. 

Detroit (11-37): Jerami Grant may not be certain to move if the Pistons don't receive appropriate offers, Grant's still under contract for one more season beyond this one, as Zach Lowe affirmed that Detroit is seeking two first-round picks, or two intriguing young players. Cade Cunningham (17.2 PPG) is the reason to watch them, if there's any. James Edwards III is the reason to read about them, releasing this great story about Isaiah Stewart. 

Golden State (36-13): They've won four straight, with Steph Curry getting right and downing the Timberwolves with 6-for-10 three-point shooting. Curry will be joined in the starting lineups at the All Star Game by a stunning selection in Andrew Wiggins, who apparently received an assist in fan voting from K-Pop fans. Golden State expects an update on Draymond Green's (back) availability on Sunday.

Houston (14-35): They've reportedly drawn interest in their veterans Christian Wood, Eric Gordon and Daniel Theis, who should be no-brainers to move on from in favor of longer-term players and assets. Especially given the learning curve likely ahead for Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün and whichever other young players join the Rockets' core when another tanked season concludes. The Rockets have lost three straight. 

Indiana (18-32): They allowed 113 to Phoenix, 117 to New Orleans, 158 to Charlotte and 110 points to a basement-dwelling offense in Oklahoma City. This can't be fun for Rick Carlisle. Off the court, Myles Turner's foot injury seems to be dulling whatever trade excitement he was generating, Bleacher Report noting that the Pacers are among the most active teams entering the deadline and are seeking multiple first-round picks in any potential Domantas Sabonis or Turner deal. Moving Sabonis over Turner would feel like a mistake, even if Turner returns less.

Clippers (25-26): Overcame a 35-point deficit capped by a Luke Kennard game winner among a flurry of "last two minute report" calls ruled incorrectly going against the Wizards during their meltdown. Kennard's game-winning four point play over Bradley Beal marked the only such shot over the past 25 seasons, according to ESPN, and the Clippers' win tied the second-largest comeback in the NBA since 1996-97. 

Lakers (24-26): LeBron James sat for two games with knee pain, and even with Anthony Davis back in the lineup for the Philadelphia game, the Lakers lost back-to-back games to the 76ers and Hornets. So much for Russell Westbrook and Davis spelling James late into his career, aside from Westbrook eating the most minutes in the NBA so far. 

How many times will we hear about the Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and Lakers' 2027 first-round pick package being offered over the next two weeks? Speaking of Nunn, he appeared with the team pregame in Charlotte, still without a game played in an LA uniform due to a knee bruise. 

Memphis (34-17): They're not only the third-best team in the western conference. They're the third-best team in the NBA, and would lead the eastern conference standings. The Grizzlies beat the Nuggets, Spurs and Jazz in close games, Ja Morant announced one of the All Star Game starters as an affirmation of Memphis' emergence. Check his Twitter feed each game night as he hypes up the team and his teammates. He's a gem, and could be among the candidates to become the face of the league when LeBron retires. 

Miami (32-17): The No. 1 seed in the east as January comes to a close. The Heat scored over 110 points or more over the Lakers, Knicks and Clippers to win three straight with their lineup nearing full strength. Adding Christian Wood would be a great fit as an offensive answer to Bam Adebayo's defense in the front court. It's less clear how far Duncan Robinson can get Miami in trade talks on a $90-million deal. They'll probably end up standing pat due to not having enough to offer rival teams and boasting more than enough internally to compete in the east. 

Milwaukee (31-20): They defended Grayson Allen after his questionable foul that injured Alex Caruso. You decide. 

Allen missing one game when Caruso could miss multiple months drew criticism, as did the Bucks objecting to that minor punishment. Milwaukee will soon transcend from lovable new winners to hated perennial title threats if they continue to win at the rate they have, as all dynasties inevitably do. Allen could be a lightning rod in that transformation, even if it's impossible to dislike Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Minnesota (24-25): Becoming Anthony Edwards' team more with each passing month -- 24.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 4.1 APG on 47.2% shooting in January. The Wolves are 8-6 this month with Edwards in the lineup, 7-5 with Karl-Anthony Towns. It's less a statement on comparing and dividing two great players and more a possible trend toward a directional shift for the franchise if this combination of players eventually doesn't work. As frustrating and inconsistent as this squad has been, this marks a step in the right direction for a franchise recently lagging at the bottom of the west. 

New Orleans (18-30): Connected to C.J. McCollum in Jake Fischer's trade rumors. McCollum could be a good tone-setter, veteran teammate for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram while consolidating Josh Hart, Jonas Valanciunas and their array of future first-round picks if they choose to go that route. Even if McCollum doesn't address their fatal flaw on defense at all, the Pelicans aren't in a position to snub their nose at talent. This is a trade that potentially benefits both sides into the future, the Blazers and Pelicans inevitably coming to odds at just how much draft compensation it would take to cross the finish line, and which picks? 

New York (23-27): They've lost three straight. It's hard to imagine what big picture dreams the Knicks could be holding out for. If they don't have any, it's hard to excuse the continuation of this Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, Julius Randle and Tom Thibodeau run that repeatedly circles back to getting lit up on the defensive end in that same frustrating starting lineup. 

New York's ill-fitting cast could all be available at the deadline, with no easy escape valve from any of them and their sizable contracts. The Knicks have some intriguing young players, but they've quickly squandered much of the momentum they built last season. 

Oklahoma City (14-34): Losers of seven straight, they'll only be intriguing as the team with $24.2-million in salary cap to help facilitate a variety of deals and dumps at the trade deadline. They've built quite a niche as the salary-dumping ground in exchange for draft picks and cash, and Sam Presti's seemingly successful selection of Josh Giddey should buy fans another year of patience through this unique plan. 

Orlando (10-40): It's been a more impressive second run for Jalen Suggs following his return from injury: 14.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.1 APG and 48.1% shooting over the past seven games after starting the season as one of the league's least efficient players. Dunks like these didn't seem in the cards then either.

Philadelphia (29-19): After Joel Embiid ripped off 30-point performances in 14 of his last 16 games to move into pole position in the NBA MVP race for arguably the second straight season (last year's injury aside), I'm still somehow tempted to start off this blurb with Ben Simmons rumblings. Embiid is the story in Philadelphia despite all the drama. Daryl Morey and company need to stop stargazing and put the best team possible together this season to accentuate this legendary Embiid run that allows the 76ers to consider themselves title contenders. 

Morey himself admitted that changing backdrop last week, and as the Kings reportedly back away from the table there's a chance the Simmons offers could dwindle, not improve in the future. Although what a wild full-circle moment Brooklyn-Philadelphia swapping Harden-Simmons would be almost two years after Houston could've potentially done the same. It's hard to imagine that hypothetical actually coming true. 

Phoenix (39-9): On the verge of their second 10-game winning streak this season. Why can't they be NBA championship favorites, as they continue to beat everyone and anyone. First in offense and fifth in defense this month, they're balanced and Chris Paul and Devin Booker feel like two sides of the same coin in the MVP race. While Booker averages 28.2 PPG, among the league's great scorers, Paul honed in on passing with 11.2 APG while remaining the league's great pass-first point guard. 

Forget unprecedented production for his age, Paul (5x) remains the only player ever to average over 10 assists and fewer than three turnovers per game simultaneously. At 36. Longevity is carrying him to near-Magic Johnson status. 

The only way any team could screw up what they have going is to play hardball with the franchise center. Oh wait. 

Portland (21-28): Anfernee Simons' January greatness carried them into the play-in tournament picture just when they assumed this would be a tanked season. Nassir Little's season-ending injury may further chip away at their staying power in this race, and while it sounds absurd to bank on this group making a run, it may not be the worst idea to do a soft deadline reset, revamp and see how Damian Lillard and his new supporting cast project to play together in high-leverage situations. Portland would still receive a lottery selection as a play-in loser. The question is how much they stand to receive for expiring Robert Covington and Jusuf Nurkic contracts, alongside pricey Norman Powell and C.J. McCollum deals. 

Sacramento (18-32): They trailed by 60 points at one point to the Celtics on Wednesday. To the Celtics! De'Aaron Fox sat with knee pain through two losses that probably made whatever Kings fans remain question their fandom. If stragglers remain, them reportedly walking away from Simmons negotiations for good might dash all hope. Be wary of trade deadline reporting though, especially given what we've heard about Morey demands. Sacramento's reported willingness to take on Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris remains a unique opportunity for the 76ers to explore at some point. Elsewhere, Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, Richaun Holmes and Tristan Thompson are available, per Woj and Jake Fischer. 

San Antonio (19-31): They've fought at a .500 pace since mid-January, ranking 21st in offense and 18th in defense in January. Nobody ever said Gregg Popovich can't coach. Derrick White could be an interesting trade deadline name if San Antonio's record renders them more aggressive than usual, particularly if he could address Cleveland's point guard position in exchange for Cavaliers assets and Ricky Rubio's salary that you'll hear about often in the coming weeks. 

Toronto (23-23): They can compete with anyone, No. 9 in offense and No. 12 in defense this month as they'll likely ride this roster of Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes as far as it can roll. Their deadline activity seems centered on address that inside position that's eluded them in recent seasons. Myles Turner and Jakob Poetl are options. Neither would come at a cheap price. The Raptors have filled the gaps at the five with Precious Achiuwa, Khem Birch and forthcoming free agent Chris Boucher on a team lacking any significant height. 

Utah (30-20): They've failed four straight tests against the west's elite through losses to the Warriors, back-to-back setbacks against the Suns before dropping a Friday night visit to Memphis. They're the team that could talk themselves into standing pat per usual, but it wouldn't feel right. They rank 24th in defense and the inordinate pressure they place on Rudy Gobert to clean up everything on that end feels like the Jazz are asking for a similar outcome to last year's second-round meltdown. They're linked to Robert Covington, the kind of low-cost perimeter defense help they could use, though not necessarily the right player given his regression in recent seasons. 

Washington (23-25): Soul-searching after being blown out by Boston and losing a 35-point lead to the Clippers on their home floor. They've lost four straight and are 5-8 in January, already having found their escape valve last offseason by acquiring Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell from the Lakers. All eyes will turn toward Bradley Beal and his future before long, as the Wizards can probably eye some consolidation, but nothing transformative at this deadline. It's still probably better than having Russell Westbrook.