NBA Notebook: Celtics rank among lowest volume shooting teams at rim and free throw line

Jayson Tatum posted Tyus Jones early in the Celtics' eventual 133-129 win on Friday that started shaky, missing inside and watching Jones run in transition and toss a pass to Kyle Kuzma for a dunk ahead of Boston's defenders. The Celtics still led, 16-12, getting to the rim at ease through a 9-for-12 start in the paint against Washington's center-less lineup in the first quarter. But they laid a pair of point-blank finishes off the rim, allowing the Wizards to score their first of an eventual 36 transition points in the ugly Boston victory over a 9-42 team. 

The Celtics own the No. 3 defense in the NBA due to strong rim protection, the ability to change matchups, gang rebounding by the wings and the ability for all four perimeter defenders to switch and guard each position. Their intensity on that end, along with the attention to detail and added layers like presses and zones, built on a 2023 season where several of Boston's players felt like the team lost its defensive identity. Several points of improvement remain though, in particular forcing turnovers and a transition defense that's allowed the eight-most runouts that result in a shot, score, free throws or a turnover, with 20.6 opportunities per game. 

Opponents also score 1.17 points per possession in those situations -- tied for ninth in the NBA. Mazzulla has preached throughout his Celtics coaching tenure that figure doesn't exist in a vacuum and often stems from poor decision-making on offense. It's one of the reasons why Boston became one of the lowest-volume shooting teams around the basket through the first half of the season, wary of frantic layup misses and falls to the floor creating advantages in the other direction. 

"A few of (the missed layups) led to transition, but it took us a little while to combat their speed," Joe Mazzulla said on Friday. "They had the advantage in the first quarter and a half, particularly with their speed, and we played into that with some of our offensive execution in general. Missed layup or missed shot, it didn't really matter. They had the advantage speed-wise ... so we did a decent job toward the end of the second quarter combating that speed with some of our offense. Then, we were a little more physical defensively." 

Boston exited Friday's win an inch shy of the Pacers for top offensive position in the NBA, yet questions remain about the team's offensive balance. The Celtics take the most three-pointers in the league by more than two attempts per game over the second-place Mavericks. In turn, Boston shoots the fourth-fewest shots inside five feet, the second-fewest from 5-9 feet and the ninth-fewest mid-rangers. They found ways to counteract bad shooting nights to the point where the team is 14-10 when shooting below 36% from three, the rough league average, with offensive rebounding, post-ups and a faster-paced offense in their own right. The Celtics finished 13-19 in those situations last season.

That still places the team in vulnerable positions when shots don't fall and more pertinently displays how less repetitions finishing around the rim and stepping into mid-range could impact players' effectiveness when they need to go there, leading to miscues like Friday. Boston still finished 72.4% at the rim in the win, despite the timely misses, while they rank in the top 10 with a 70% efficiency at the basket for the season. Their lack of drives and attempts inside also coincide with another lacking stat for the team -- free throw attempts. The Celtics shot 21.9 of them each night, 21st in the NBA. 

"Let's see how everything goes," Al Horford told Boston Sports Journal. "We've shot the ball well for most of the season. We have really good ball movement. We finish pretty well, but I do think there is benefit if we do shoot more free throws. Our guys need to continue to read the game. That's the challenge, when to try to go get a foul, when to look for the extra pass. I feel like a lot of our guys, at times, they can probably try to go and force it, try to force a foul, but instead, they trying to make the right play and kicking it out. There's that balance, there's a time you have to go and get to the line, but it's a lot that we're asking from them. I guess that's what I'm saying. We're asking them to finish at the rim, go get a foul or kick the extra pass. They have to make a lot of decisions and I think we're doing ok." 

The free throw margin is included in the four factors that Mazzulla holds in great importance, including offensive rebounding, turnover rate, shooting efficiency (eFG%) and free throw attempts. According to Basketball Reference, free throws do fall last (15%) in importance out of the four and while Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porziņģis attack enough mismatches to get there consistently, Boston's other role players, including Horford, rarely shoot at the rim in position to draw free throws. 

The team's struggle to get to the line loomed large in the recent losses to Denver and the Clippers, the In-Season Tournament defeat against the Pacers, the highest-fouling team in the league, and most recently against the Lakers. The Lakers took 26 attempts to Boston's seven in that game. Mazzulla received multiple questions about that disparity after the game. 

"You can't control whether a guy fouls you or not? Can you? Not all the time," Mazzulla said, pointing at the Celtics' statistical lack of fouling on defense and saying his players should drive with more physicality. 

That circles back to the transition defense conversation. The Celtics rank 27th with 40.0 drives per game and focus almost exclusively on drawing defenders and kicking when they do. Tatum has shot nearly two fewer free throws per game this season due to a decrease in drives. Brown's free throws also fell from 5.1 to 4.1 from 2023 to 2024. Porziņģis, drawing a free throw nearly 33% of the time when he posts-up, is also somehow shooting fewer per game than he did in Washington last season. Boston has looked to him more consistently since he didn't shoot a single field goal attempt in crunch time against Denver in the potential NBA Finals preview last month. 

Mazzulla's philosophies have added up to more offensive competency for a team that, for as touted as Ime Udoka's year in Boston became, still saw similar crunch-time issues, turnovers and inconsistent facilitation from the team's stars. He continues to say that he doesn't have a preferred shot, but wants each player to make the right read, and for all the lamenting over the importance he places on the three-point shooting margin, the Celtics looked up at Hawks and Wizards teams scoring 67 and 71 points, respectively, at halftime by getting up and making more threes than a Boston team shooting and making shots at a high rate from two. The Celtics beat Atlanta on Wednesday shooting 73% from two. They won by eight. 

"We just can’t be predictable," Tatum said after Boston lost to the Clippers. "We have to be decisive and try to manipulate the defense. They have schemes, they’re well-coached, they have good players over there. You gotta throw counterpunches at them, and make adjustments throughout the game.”

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

Atlanta (23-29): Kept Dejounte Murray and the rest of their team intact by standing pat at the deadline, a product of lackluster offers and a brief surge before Thursday that saw them win four straight games, then push the Clippers and Celtics deep into the fourth quarter. The Hawks will undoubtedly assess the futures of Murray, Clint Capela and De'Andre Hunter in the summer, especially after talks with the Pelicans appeared fruitful. Jake Fischer also reported that Trae Young's future is also undecided. Atlanta has a 2.5 game lead over the Nets for the 10th and final spot in the east playoff picture. 

Boston (40-12): Traded Lamar Stevens, Dalano Banton and three second-round picks to bring back Xavier Tillman Sr. and Jaden Springer in three low-key deadline deals. Tillman provides some of the top-rated defense in the league and positional versatility to the front court, joining Luke Kornet, Oshae Brissett and Al Horford as front-court depth options behind Kristaps Porzingis. Springer, 21, was a Brad Stevens and Boston front-office favorite going back to his 2021 draft. He won G-League Finals MVP in 2023 and thrived as a defensive energizer in spot opportunities with Philadelphia. Springer will likely be active for Sunday's game at the Heat while Tillman (knee soreness) could be out through the all-star break. 

"(Springer) was the youngest player in that draft. And again, he’s still a puppy," Stevens said. "He’s still 21 years old. And so I would say that the preseason game here had more of an impact than that. So, we were already like, ‘Whoa, that looks like strides.’"

Brooklyn (20-31): Traded Spencer Dinwiddie for Dennis Schröder in their lone deadline move. Thad Young also landed with Brooklyn in the effective salary dump from Toronto, who'll probably become a buyout candidate. The Nets remain in the playoff hunt with their current roster if Ben Simmons can find some healthy footing late in the season, and Brooklyn had no incentive to tank with their pick owed to Houston from the Jame Harden trade. They host the Celtics on Tuesday then visit them on Wednesday in the final two games before the all-star break. 

Charlotte (10-41): Received a 2027 first-round pick for taking on Grant Williams' four-year contract and sending PJ Washington to Dallas. Seth Curry also landed with the Hornets in the trade, another possible buyout wing who would be available to apron teams. The Hornets also traded Gordon Hayward to Oklahoma City for Vasilije Micic, Tre Mann, Davis Bertans and a pair of second-round picks, solid value for what seemed to be approaching buyout territory. Miles Bridges remained with the team despite interest from Phoenix and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Bridges reportedly declined to accept a deal, receiving a no-trade clause by signing his qualifying offer last summer. A trade would've voided his Bird rights. 

Chicago (25-27): Stood pat at the trade deadline for the third straight season and haven't made a notable trade since the deal that brought DeMar DeRozan to the Bulls and began this stagnant era. Chicago expressed interest in re-signing DeRozan ahead of his free agency this summer while Zach LaVine underwent season-ending foot surgery and will miss 4-6 months, ending any chance he'll be dealt. 

Cleveland (34-16): The hottest team in the NBA exploded to second in the east this week with wins over the Spurs, Kings, Wizards and Nets with Evan Mobley and Darius Garland back in the lineup. With their needs address over the summer, they're making the strongest case yet to keep Donovan Mitchell around as his quietly dominant season continued. They've now won 16 of their last 17 going back to Jan. 3. Jarrett Allen averaged 17.2 PPG and 12.5 RPG on 60.3% shooting over that stretch. They now sit only 5.0 games back of the Celtics of the east's top seed and passed Boston for No. 2 status on defense. 

Dallas (29-23): Made some alterations to their frontcourt by bringing in PJ Washington and trading Richaun Holmes with a 2024 first-rounder from the Thunder in exchange for sturdy Wizards center Daniel Gafford. The moves could solidify the team's defense by adding more size and experience to the front court. The decision to move on from Grant Williams after half of one season comes as some surprise after the team already committed a first round and three second-rounders to sign-and-trade for the forward. Williams rubbed people the wrong way in Dallas, including Luka Dončić, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. 

Detroit (8-43): Bought and sold at the deadline, sending Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks to the Knicks for a pair of second-rounders, Monté Morris to Minnesota for a second while adding Simone Fontecchio from the Jazz for a second. The moves infused some short-term shooting on the Pistons, including Evan Fournier, Troy Brown Jr., Shake Milton, among others returned in the deals. Quentin Grimes, a strong defensive prospect and college teammate of rookie Marcus Sasser, came back from the Knicks in the trade, a strong get, while the array of deals signaled Troy Weaver could get another chance after this disastrous season. Killian Hayes will not. Detroit waived its 2020 No. 7 overall pick this week, Weaver's first as GM.

Indiana (29-24): Credit to them for landing former Pacer Doug McDermott while making the difficult move to trade Buddy Hield during a playoff push. McDermott brings size, even if his shooting proves a downgrade, while Indiana received three second-round picks from Philadelphia for Hield, who would've become a free agent this summer. McDermott, 32, is shooting 43.9% from three on 3.8 attempts per game this season and will be a free agent.

Lakers (28-26): The Lakers stood pat at the deadline, despite obvious pressure from LeBron James to improve the .500 roster. GM Rob Pelinka said the right move wasn't there, but LA will reportedly add a rotation player in Spencer Dinwiddie when the Raptors buy him out following his trade from Brooklyn. Dinwiddie attended the Lakers' win over the Pelicans on Friday alongside Pelinka, while the deadline passing ended some uncertainty over D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves' futures with the teams, though all the reporting indicated zero interest in moving Reaves. 

Memphis (18-34): Worked around the edges of their roster by sending Xavier Tillman Sr. to Boston and David Roddy to the Suns, receiving a 2026 first-round pick swap from the Suns in the Royce O'Neale trade with Brooklyn. Yuta Watanabe and Chimezie Metu landed in Memphis in the deal. The Grizzlies retained Marcus Smart, who's signed through 2026, despite reported interest from teams like Milwaukee and the Lakers. Smart made his return to Boston for the first time since being traded over the summer and received a massive ovation, a video tribute and the Heroes Among Us award for his nine years of community service as a member of the Celtics. Only eight Memphis players suited up for the blowout loss, all of them G-League caliber. 

Miami (28-24): Heat forward Haywood Highsmith struck and injured a pedestrian on Tuesday after Miami's game against the Magic, according to police, leading to a partial amputation of the man's right leg, along with broken bones in his left leg and arm. Highsmith was not injured and police only cited Highsmith for careless driving. He was not under the influence. His agent in a statement described a dark road where Alekxei Pino was accidentally hit after pulling over to help a woman's disabled vehicle near an intersection. Highsmith missed the Heat's game on Wednesday against San Antonio for personal reasons. His citation was not criminal. The Heat host the Celtics on Sunday at 2 p.m. 

“This was an unfortunate accident," Highsmith's agent wrote. "We have been notified that the person sustained significant injuries but is in stable condition. Haywood and his family are praying for him. Haywood is of course shaken by this and appreciates the support and prayers he has received from the Miami Heat and fans. We will have no further comment.”

Milwaukee (34-19): Made one deadline deal, adding Patrick Beverley from the 76ers in exchange for Cam Payne and a second-round pick. The fiery guard began his loud talk along the sidelines as the Bucks beat the Hornets to improve to 2-5 since Doc Rivers took over. Milwaukee also traded Robin Lopez to the Kings, clearing room for potential buyout additions after the deadline. Like Boston, the Bucks can't sign players who made more than $12.2 million, due to apron restrictions.

Minnesota (36-16): Monté Morris arrives as arguably the most underrated deadline addition for a team needing a bench scorer and facilitator for one second-rounder. The Wolves reportedly explored adding Tyus Jones from the Wizards, but the guard eventually stayed with Washington. Morris missed most of this season with injury in Detroit, but is a career 10.4 PPG scorer and 38.9% three-point shooter with 4.0 APG. He's also only 28-years-old. 

New York (33-19): Went for it at the deadline by adding Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks from the Pistons for two second-rounders, Evan Fournier, Ryan Arcidiacono, Quentin Grimes and Malachi Flynn. The moves provide immediate relief for a team playing without Julius Randle (shoulder) and OG Anunoby, who underwent surgery to remove a loose bone fragment in his right elbow this week. He's expected to miss three weeks before returning to basketball activities. That effectively knocks him out of an anticipated final regular season matchup with Boston in New York later this month. Bogdanovic, 34, scored 20.2 PPG in Detroit this season by hitting 41.5% of his 7.4 three-point attempts per game as a catch-and-shoot and self creator. Burks, who played for the Knicks from 2020-2022, hit 40.1% of his threes with the Pistons this year. Bogdanovic makes $19 million next year. Burks becomes a free agent. Jalen Brunson turned his right ankle earlier this week, but said on his Tonight Show appearance that it's feeling fine. 

Oklahoma City (35-16): Loved the Gordon Hayward addition for a team that seemed all set with standing pat and continuing to draft and develop despite starting the season as strong as any team in the west. Hayward hasn't played since Dec. 26 with a calf injury but won't be counted on like he was in Boston and Charlotte. He's 33 this season and in the final year of his contract at $31.5 million, averaging 14.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 4.6 APG on 46.8% shooting (36.1% 3PT). He's a strong complementary player who can fit in next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder's young players in a sixth-man role. They're 3-3 over their last six, approaching the all-star break 0.5 games back of the west's top seed, fifth in offense and fourth in defense. 

“He’s feeling pretty good. He’s not going to play until after the All-Star break. We need to take him through kinda our return-to-play protocol as if he were here all along,” Mark Daigneault said. “We caught up with him this morning, got a feel for that. We don’t really have practice time to go through what he needs to go through to clear our internal hurdles to play.”

Orlando (28-24): Stood pat at the deadline despite currently sitting in a tie for seventh place in the east with the Heat. Among their standout young performers, the resurgence of Jonathan Isaac appears to be going under the radar. This one blew my mind this week: opponents are shooting 39.8% on 5.9 shots per game guarded by Orlando's big man. They'd be a challenging first-round matchup for the Celtics at full health. Will they regret not loading up for such a run? 

Philadelphia (30-21): Sent mixed signals with their deadline about Joel Embiid's status this season, which they remain hopeful will result in a return this season following meniscus surgery this week. The 76ers traded for Buddy Hield in the final year of his contract, will reportedly sign Kyle Lowry following his buyout from the Hornets and effectively dumped young guard Jaden Springer to the Celtics, a move that irked many fans. Daryl Morey defended the move, saying the Sixers are focused on winning now, but the move appears fixated on keeping Philadelphia below the luxury tax line. Morey said he's hopeful Embiid will return, receiving more good than bad feedback on the big man's injury. The 76ers have lost eight of their last nine around his absence. 

Phoenix (31-21): Only 5.0 games back of the west's top seed approaching the break and made a shrewd move to add a good wing to their starting rotation mix in Royce O'Neale from Brooklyn. O'Neale, 30, averaged 8.3 PPG across two seasons with the Nets and hit 38% of his 5.5 threes per game, briefly playing with Kevin Durant before his trade from the Nets to Phoenix one year ago. The Suns rank seventh in offense, but needed some perimeter size to improve on their 16th-ranked defense. O'Neale becomes a free agent this summer, but Phoenix will retain his Bird rights. 

Portland (15-36): Dalano Banton receives a chance to get some run with the rebuilding Trail Blazers, who received interest in fellow former Celtics Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III, who both remained in Portland past the deadline. Chauncey Billups said he wanted to keep Brogdon around, who's been a valuable contributor and mentor for the team's young players, including Scoot Henderson, since arriving in September in the Jrue Holiday trade. Williams III is out for the season after knee surgery, but both players are under contract next year. Banton has a 2024-25 team option. 

Toronto (19-33): Made the most surprising move of the deadline trading for Canadian star Kelly Olynyk from the Jazz for a 2024 first-round pick, Kira Lewis Jr. and Otto Porter Jr. It's unclear why the rebuilding Raptors would pass up on a mid-round first, but with a low-rated draft and the ability to sign Olynyk long-term, it might prove a solid move for a team with veterans ready to compete between Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. 

Washington: Kristaps Porziņģis dominated his former team at TD Garden on Friday, praising his former assistant coach Brian Keefe, who's now filling an interim role for the Wizards. He joked that Kyle Kuzma, who played center after Washington traded Daniel Gafford, never knew how many tricks Porziņģis used in the post, saying Kuzma called him dirty during the game. The 9-42 Wizards nearly shocked the healthy Celtics, but fell short, 133-129.