{"id":637173,"date":"2026-03-03T19:04:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T19:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/637173\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T19:04:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T19:04:08","slug":"parquet-plays-how-the-short-handed-celtics-maintained-their-offensive-identity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/637173\/","title":{"rendered":"Parquet Plays : How the short handed Celtics maintained their offensive identity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Despite being shorthanded without Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta, the Boston Celtics marched into Milwaukee on the night of Giannis Antetokounmpo\u2019s return and delivered a resounding statement, dismantling the Bucks in a dominant 108\u201381 triumph.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The manner in which this roster continues to uphold the standard of Celtics basketball, regardless of who is available on any given night, serves as a compelling testament to the staff of the year, led by head coach Joe Mazzulla. A prime example of sustaining that unmistakable Celtics edge is rookie Hugo Gonz\u00e1lez, whose approach and poise reflect the culture instilled from the top down.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Hugo Gonz\u00e1lez earned the third start of his young NBA career last night and delivered his most complete performance to date. The rookie erupted for career highs in points (18), rebounds (16), and steals (three), showcasing his two-way impact as Boston improved to 41\u201320 on the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">After the game, Gonz\u00e1lez reflected on the team\u2019s resilience in navigating injuries without compromising its identity. \u201cWe\u2019ve got our standard, and we want to maintain it every single game. We don\u2019t like to make excuses,\u201d he explained, a succinct encapsulation of the mindset that continues to define the Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The defense, hustle, and difference in shot margin definitely highlighted last night\u2019s win. Boston again held the Bucks to just 81 points as they shot an abysmal 36 percent from the field. The glass told a similarly decisive story. Milwaukee was overwhelmed in the rebounding battle, 54\u201341, including surrendering 19 offensive boards that fueled repeated second-chance opportunities. Perhaps most telling was the shot differential: a staggering +21 advantage in favor of the Celtics, a statistical embodiment of their control on both ends of the floor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">While those numbers tell a compelling story, what I found also to be great in real time was the fluidity of the player and ball movement. Watching live, the offense felt purposeful and connected; each cut, swing, and extra pass carrying intent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">That impression only strengthened upon rewatch. The film validated the eye test, revealing a series of possessions that embodied the unselfishness and precision driving this performance. Here are the ones that stood out to me.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">For years now, the Celtics have treated their opening offensive possession as something of a thesis statement, an early indicator of the themes they intend to establish. More often than not, that first trip down the floor offers a glimpse into the tactical priorities for the night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">In this instance, they opened with \u201cHorns Chest,\u201d immediately signaling that constant movement would anchor the game plan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Here Boston does some slight window dressing before getting into the main action. Baylor Scheierman hands it back off to Derrick White, and Sam Hauser starts in the corner. Horns alignment can be easily identified by two players at or near the elbows of the free throw line.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-8.51.00%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-8.51.00\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/initial-alignment-1-1-copy.webp?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"387\" data-pswp-width=\"444\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/initial-alignment-1-1-copy.webp.jpeg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">When Hauser flashes up to the elbow and Scheierman relocates to the corner, it creates a momentary disruption in the switch between Giannis and Aj Green, leaving Giannis a step behind Hauser. Hauser then flows into the \u201cChest\u201d action, which is when someone sets an on-ball screen then receives a Flare screen.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-8.56.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-8.56.24\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The on-ball screen can take multiple forms, including a traditional pick or a \u201cGhost\u201d screen, as Hauser, the Ghost screen sows additional confusion for the Bucks, causing yet another defender to lose his assignment and creating an exploitable advantage for the offense.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">After this, the Flare screen from Nikola Vucevic makes sure Hauser\u2019s defender can\u2019t get back to him, and now, we have a small switched onto Vuc.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">I\u2019ve thoroughly enjoyed that Vuc just immediately goes under the rim when he gets a mismatch. This forces Ousmane Dieng to attempt a scram switch in the middle of the possession but in doing so, he leaves Hugo Gonzalez open in the corner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The shot didn\u2019t fall, but the process was great.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Next, the Celtics go to \u201cFlex\u201d action for Vuc.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Flex action is fundamentally a two-part sequence. The first element involves a player setting a Flex screen for a teammate positioned in the corner or short corner, creating the opportunity, usually, for that teammate to execute a baseline cut. This initial screen sets the stage for the second phase of the play.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.24.32%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.24.32\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">After that the screener receives a pin down screen.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.26.14%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.26.14\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Vuc hasn\u2019t been flawless, but having a center capable of operating as an off-screen shooter adds a whole new layer of unpredictability to the Celtics offense. As the 7-footer curls off the pin-down set by the point guard, he draws a switch on a smaller defender and calmly converts a hook shot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Here Boston uses a simple \u201cFlare\u201d screen to get Hauser an open look.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">A Flare screen is an off-ball screen set between the passer and the recipient.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.35.38%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.35.38\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Hauser missed this one, but the Celtics made good use of Flare screens all game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Next, Boston goes to the famous \u201cSpain\u201d Pick and Roll.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Spain or \u201cStack\u201d Pick and roll is an on-ball screen followed by a back screen on the on-ball screeners man.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.44.26%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.44.26\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">As Payton Pritchard turns the corner after the screen, four(!) bucks collapse into the paint, leaving a number of Celtics open.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.45.04%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.45.04\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Ron Harper Jr. gets the pass and knocks it down.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">For the next play, Boston goes to \u201cBlind Pig\u201d action.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Blind Pig is a dribble handoff under a denying or high playing defender. After the handoff to Harper Jr, the ball is supposed to go to Pritchard as you see Luka Garza pointing to him.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.51.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.51.49\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The problem is, Ryan Rollins is playing very close to Pritchard, denying the pass.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.52.27%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.52.27\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Celtics see they can\u2019t get the ball to Pritchard how they intended, so Garza flashes under Rollins and Pritchard is able to get the ball with a head of steam, and it results in a layup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Here the Celtics go to \u201cStagger Spain\u201d and get a three off it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Stagger, named after Staggered screens, are two of the same off-ball screens set with some space between them.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.59.57%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-9.59.57\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Boston leverages this action to free Payton Pritchard at the top of the key, flowing back into its Spain PnR. Before White even establishes the back screen for Vuc on Bobby Portis, he comes open on the roll. Pritchard delivers the pass on time, and White\u2019s subsequent screen, set immediately after the catch, forces yet another defensive switch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Portis sees the mismatch and tries to go back to his matchup but is unable to because White runs to the three-point line after he screened.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">They eventually get the ball to Vuc in the post, and a cut by Gonzalez draws Cam Thomas off of Hauser, and Vuc hits him for a no dip three.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Flare screen returns and great pass placement by Pritchard leads White to an open three.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">After a foul, Mazzulla calls \u201cDouble Get\u201d for the next offensive possession.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Double refers to the two screens on the play. The first being from Hauser and the next from Garza after the handoff.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-10.25.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-10.25.59\u202fAM.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">\u201cGet\u201d is when a player passes the ball to someone and immediately goes to *get* it back as Pritchard does.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The screen by Garza creates mismatches for him and Pritchard that are pivotal to the possession. Hauser eventually gets it back to Pritchard with the big on him, and he\u2019s able to drive past him. He misses the layup, but the mismatch Garza has allowed him to get the putback.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Another good play ran for Vuc here as they go to \u201cStagger Hawk\u201d to get him a mid-range.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">As we saw on a previous play, Boston uses the Staggered screens to get a player to the top of the key. This time they use it to flow into a \u201cHawk\u201d cut for Vuc as we see here.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_1eezmj01\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.celticsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-10.43.14%E2%80%AFAM-1.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1620\" data-pswp-width=\"2880\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"w91vxg0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'\/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'\/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'\/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'\/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'\/%3E%3C\/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;)\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-10.43.14\u202fAM-1.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Nuggets have used this action a bunch in the past for another Nikola.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Having Pritchard set the screen is pivotal to the action\u2019s success. If he makes solid contact, the defense is forced into a difficult choice: switch a smaller defender onto Vuc or hesitate on the exchange. A clean switch creates an immediate size mismatch in the post, while any reluctance to switch leaves Vuc uncovered on the cut, which is precisely what unfolds on this possession.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">And to cap it off we have the Flare screen return.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">In the end, it\u2019s not just about the play itself, but the precision and intentionality behind how Boston deploys it. By using personnel creatively, putting shooters like Pritchard and White into screening actions and flowing seamlessly between counters, the Celtics force defenses into layered decisions where every option carries consequences. The brilliance lies in the details: timing, spacing, and the ability to manipulate matchups before the defense can react. It\u2019s a reminder that at the highest level, advantage isn\u2019t accidental, it\u2019s engineered.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Despite being shorthanded without Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta, the Boston Celtics marched into Milwaukee on the night&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":637174,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3775],"tags":[7,7697,103,7541,102,121,3871,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-637173","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-milwaukee-bucks","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-boston-celtics-film-study","10":"tag-bucks","11":"tag-celtics-videos","12":"tag-milwaukee","13":"tag-milwaukee-bucks","14":"tag-milwaukeebucks","15":"tag-nba"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116166806754904208","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/637173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=637173"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/637173\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/637174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=637173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=637173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=637173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}