Breaking down the wild Celtics-Wolves finish

Can the Celtics go undefeated at home this season? The two best records in the league went down to the wire in a thrilling finish, and this watch along reaction film breakdown details how the Boston Celtics defended Anthony Edwards down the stretch, along with the key plays that led to Jayson Tatum's explosive 4th quarter on offense.
Podcast: open.spotify.c...
Support at Patreon: / thinkingbasketball
Book: www.amazon.com...
Website: www.thinkingba...
Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
www.basketball...
stats.nba.com
-----
Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
#ThinkingBasketball

[@Tomtainius]

I wouldn't mind seeing 7 games of this in the postseason 👀

[@25024___]

If they match up Boston wins in 6 games max

[@thepeoplesmix9779]

I would. The Wolves are too offensively challenged/stupid to contend although having an elite defense. Celtics would simply out talent/IQ them.

[@mattsell2361]

It’s gonna be the Celtics and nuggets

[@Mirristal]

@@youtubewatcher4955hell no. Two best teams in the league

[@Switchy11]

@@youtubewatcher4955you don’t watch basketball

[@isakibrahim8316]

That tatum double crossover on kat was too nice, he was playing like a mvp last night

[@gigiarcay]

Too good, it needs to be watched over and over again

[@zilllah]

@@gigiarcayI cant even tell you how many times i had to rewatch that, it was beautiful

[@jessejamesgames8148]

Kat fouled him like 3 times on that play too

[@masstarvation]

This is the Tatum that would have closed the deal in '22 Finals up 2-1 vs the GSW. You can tell that working with Cassell and Pierce in the offseason finally taught him some maturity especially in driving the ball and posting up. If he plays like this in the playoffs, barring any major injuries, I think the Jays will finally get their first ring.

[@alec57]

Problem is he's still missing open layups/shots and commiting silly turnovers just like in the playoffs last year. I don't see that changing in this years playoffs. He crumbles under most pressure or when he goes on cold streaks.

[@brettsalisbury3245]

@@alec57he really hasnt had much of a turnover issue this season

[@christiancrowley3638]

@@alec57 He really isn't committing many stupid turnovers this year and he is shooting 73% in the restricted area, not sure what you have been watching this year. He is much more polished this season, his scoring is down slightly but attempts are down, and his efficiency has been amazing and only rising (61.3% TS and 56.3% EFG).

[@othellorucker8107]

He wont lol

[@YungFozz]

@@othellorucker8107true, because the dubs arent making the playoffs this year

[@Zelchacha]

JB was INSANELY aggressive this game perfect 13/13 at the foul line. 30/31 total. 11 rebounds, 15 first quarter points. Tatum turned on in the 4th and OT. They have both matured to an insane championship caliber.

[@alec57]

I'm a Celtics fan but I doubt we'll get any different result than last year with JT or JB when it's crunch time in the playoffs. I just don't see much progression. JT still goes on really bad cold streaks, makes silly turnovers and get's in his own head. JB is still emotionless and timid to drive to the rim most games. Just don't trust them or see a chip with them as the leading two.

[@verward]

@@alec57 "Celtics fan". good one.

[@alec57]

@@verward Oh yeah I forgot fans of teams can never be critical of them. God forbid we call out anything.

[@xidist]

how the fuck do you watch this team this season and think we're going to be the same as last year? fuck out of here@@alec57

[@KevinSun242]

@@alec57this aged well

[@evanstensland611]

They’ve played 2 games this year and both were thrillers into overtime with it going 1-1 for each team. Hope we get to watch at least one more game between these two.

[@carmichaelfinch552]

If we're lucky we'll get a 7 game finals series between them.

[@ryanwilliams1175]

I’m a Celtics fan, but something that stood out to me is how much better Anthony Edwards is still going to get. He’s still very young and he struggles with NBA level double teams. If you look at 6:10 , he misses KAT wide open when Tatum comes to double. Devin Booker similarly used to struggle with these double teams and blitzes (go look at the 2022 second round series VS mavericks) but has since made reading double teams a strength of his playmaking ability. Once Ant figures out how to play against these blitzes, teams will be forced to stop doing them, and his numbers and skill level will only improve because of it.

[@anthonygoh3019]

Anthony edwards is a terrible passer.

[@PuchuKt]

Keep in mind he's not guaranteed to improve, look at KD, he struggled passing off doubles most of his career (I can understand it when in OKC since he had russ and robertson out there, but look at the celtics vs nets when they clamped him)

[@Tom-eq7eh]

As has already been said. There's no gaurentee he will improve. His vision and passing ability is a clear weakness, and sometimes even very good basketball players can't fix their weaknesses.

[@senkuu16]

He saw that but did 100% still gonna shoot cause of his ego, this was the play after NAW stepback 3.

[@jordi8521]

​@@anthonygoh3019no he isnt

[@maclo4]

Ben, please make a video on the pistons. Pistons fans need some clarity about what is actually the problem. This season is going so much worse than last season despite our roster on paper being better

[@jakeweinstein6809]

There will be no clarity😂they ass

[@wg7297]

Please!!

[@optimust]

Why would you wish this torture on Ben, why

[@domination4892]

Short answer: Pistons can't shoot for shit Long Answer: Look on Cleaning the Glass Metrics and they are at the bottom of each of the four factors

[@francismartino6890]

@@domination4892both pretty short answers

[@Turk6417]

Ima Celtics fan but I have loved watching the young guys like Anthony Edwards & SGA ascend like I’ve had the pleasure of watching Jaylen & Jayson figure out their lane. The league is in good hands.

[@Ironfangzu]

This, right now, is another of the NBA's golden ages. They have great stars from the last 15 years still doing great (Steph, KD), They have elite stars like Giannis, Joker, Embid, Luka and JT in their primes, and as you said there's a crop of slightly younger stars just fighting their way to the front of the league. The league is indeed in great hands.

[@abdullahaanawaleh]

@@Ironfangzu Its interestingly similar to the 1970s. The older stars of Wilt, West, Oscar Robertson etc were around. Kareem, Baylor, Unseld, etc in their primes. Then some younger guys coming in too. It was also an era of parity with nobody winning back to back rings and 8 different champions in the 10yrs of the decade. The 20s could be the same.

[@hmac_graphy]

Hands down one of the best regular season game I've watched! Both teams gave it their all

[@Ironfangzu]

They had us the whole way. Every time we caught up or got an edge the Wolves just hit another dagger and seized control again. I'm kinda shocked we actually won it. But that 7 straight points sequence by Tatum as time wound down in OT turned the tide once and for all. Hey, the NBA is a superstars league. The Wolves played GREAT and their stars did their part, but on this night Tatum stepped up and said, "This is our home floor, I am the best player here, and I am NOT allowing us to lose!", and that was that.

[@mwballers]

Wow...TWolves gave it their all on back to back games. Crazy concept

[@wyattfriend7360]

This is the version of Tatum that can be the best in the world. One of the best handles in the game, these explosions like ECF game 7 last year. He is a supersized human being.

[@ZoomZoom356]

Im a Celtics fan, but I really like this Timberwolves team, they are one tough ball club and they just play the right way, they are very good defensively, the Celtics had to work hard for every basket. Anthony Edwards is also a very special player, he's like a Dwayne Wade 2.0, one of the best young players in the game.

[@Don_ZelleThaCreator]

You’re definitely not a Cs fan

[@TC-uj6jc]

Ant needs to learn..He choked the game away

[@Jablickymorant]

@@Don_ZelleThaCreatornewsflash u can b a loyal fan of a team and still enjoy watching other players/teams and compliment them

[@Don_ZelleThaCreator]

@@Jablickymorant MYOB

[@anthonygoh3019]

Dwayne wade was far more efficient in scoring and a far better passer.

[@VskouV]

Amazing video and analysis, this is pretty much the best possible postgame content. I really hope you make more of these extended film breakdowns! Thanks a lot for this, and I hope you have a great day!

[@Chilnts]

Completely agree

[@Toucansam46]

As a Celtics fan the Wolves have always been my second favorite team. Love Ant that dude can ball. Looking forward to more battles like this for years to come

[@discowolf25]

A lowkey dope c’s fan? I’m so confused. I wanna say is this cuz you’d be nothing without all of our FO’s (vikes, wolves, Wild, Twins) gave you all time greats for nada?? KG, Moss, Big Papi… 😂. I’m kinda impressed by this take fr fr 💯🫡✌️

[@Toucansam46]

@@discowolf25 lmao ya know I didn’t even consider how much Minnesota has given Boston over the years 😂 nah bro Ant is a baller I have nothing but respect for that team they fight until the final whistle every single game and are doing it on the back of a hounding defense. I got Wolves over OKC in 7 for the WCF this year, there might never be a better series played than that in the history of the NBA would be so fun to watch

[@Ryan-jc6hi]

Celtics were still without Porzingis while the Wolves were without Gobert and Conely being on the 2nd night of a back to back on the road. Fun game overall to watch.

[@Offu-cz9wl]

I feel like ever since the NBA finished their season in the bubble and opened back up to the public we have seen so many more new young talents popping up on almost every team than usual. The NBA for me as a fan has been the most exciting to watch in quite some time recently. It actually looks like the players are enjoying themselves while playing ball again 💙👏🏻

[@skeeeeeeter]

I’m a huge Cs fan and hadn’t been to a game in years and went to this game with my dad as a gift. It was fucking glorious 😭😭

[@KingJerbear]

This was the best game I've watched all season. Would be a treat if these guys meet in the Finals

[@wafflesofjustice]

film really emphasizes how much Ant’s athleticism/scoring bends defense. if he can go up a level as a playmaker it’s over for the league

[@Tomtainius]

The no-call at 3:50 was a good call, however missing the foul on the subsequent jumpball was crazy. Besides that and a couple other calls, this game was very well officiated for such an intense matchup.

[@discowolf25]

On which Celtic?

[@osirisra1476]

The ticky-tack fouls on Jaden McDaniels were a killer all game.

[@nydibs]

Tatum grabbed Ant by the wrist, it was a foul. So the missed call on Ant is fair

[@Tomtainius]

@@discowolf25 Edwards' right hand holds down Tatum's right arm as the ball is thrown. Securing the jumpball. Its harder to see from the angle in the video, but the ref at centre court should be seeing it.

[@Jahjaga]

@@nydibslol not the way basketball works, but even if it were, Tatum gets 99.99% ball on Edwards. The part of the hand that’s on the ball can legally be made contact with. He barely touches the wrist, if at all! Edwards meanwhile completely and purposely pulls Tatum’s arm down on the jump ball to prevent him from elevating entirely. No ambiguity there whatsoever. Just a missed call.

[@sch0705]

Jrue Holiday's defense is at another level, on ball or off ball.

[@JRJigsawyer]

Great analysis. If Tatum plays physical instead of hunting calls, he can't be stopped. This is the evolution we've been waiting for from him.

[@KaawSauce]

This format is exactly how I want to watch games. Much better than the live telecast

[@sebcas_]

Please do this during the playoffs!!! This is a great video I could see a WCF breakdown like this going great

[@tylergoldingmagic]

mannn you and Get Gooder at Basketball do the best stuff. Period. Ben, this one was beautiful!

[@kylevelez4676]

Jrue holiday is one of the clutchest defenders ever

[@ashamael]

Oh man. I need more videos like this in my life! I know it must take quite a bit of effort to do, but man, would absolutely love this to be a regular thing.

[@justincollera3010]

We need more of these watch togethers!!! Love it and continue to do whatever y’all are doing

[@uzi978]

The Jays making their free throws in the clutch warms my heart.

[@MKHLX]

Kudos to JB. He often misses FT

[@darrenw638]

Put respect on Derrick White he had to bail Tatum out

[@uzi978]

@@darrenw638 Relax kid, I love Derrick White.

[@edwardcorey1071]

I agree as a twolves fan they need to be better ft the nba in general sucks at ft

[@MangosInTrees]

4:10 Edward’s perfect jump was actually him pulling Tatums arm down, that’s why Tatum clapped after.

[@Jackson33miller]

Had the pleasure of being there last night. Down 9 with a few minutes left was looking dire but who else but Al Horford hits a timely three. JB and JT were great all night (especially from the free throw line!!!). The garden was rocking like crazy after that last Tatum 3, what an incredible game to witness live

[@camiloaalmendralesa8509]

Al made so many great reads. That pass to Jrue for a three, just the movement that was needed. OG's IQ right there.

[@jakebrown1521]

I would love to see more of these watch along videos during the post season!

[@jordanboyack3932]

Love the play by play and In-depth analysis. I would love to see more of this! Not many KZbinrs are making content like this.

[@Benisuber1]

Wolves did this without 2 of their best players on the 2nd night of a back-to-back where bad weather in Boston delayed their travel, too. Super impressive effort from the Wolves in this game.

[@JT_for_Three]

Yea ..that’s cute and all..but do you realize how ELITE K.P. makes the Celtics ? And, y’all smoked the Magic the night before.Most of the team barely even played 30 minutes a piece. Edwards played a grand total of 25 minutes. So, theres ZERO EXCUSES for that one jack. Y’all are a good young team…but there’s levels to this. Y’all gotta win some big playoff games or a big playoff series ,before I give them the type of credit that they think that they deserve.

[@mwballers]

​@@JT_for_Threespeaking of excuses....Celtics fans were full of em after that beat down from the Bucks 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Benisuber1]

​@@JT_for_Three The starters were literally playing until 2 minutes left in the game, and that doesn't matter at all on the 2nd night of a back to back. Literally the entire starting 5 played 30 minutes except for Ant, and that's because he was bad in Orlando. Look at how the Celtics performed with a fully healthy starting squad in Milwaukee the next night. You don't know ball if you don't think Conley and Gobert completely change this team.

[@JT_for_Three]

Alls i know that is Porzingis > Conley /Rudy . Look at the difference in when KP is out there and when he’s not…It’s astonishing. And you guys totally were destroying the Magic ( I watched the game ) . Up 25 points with 6 mins to go in the game. Then that is totally on your coach then….keeping all your starters out there, knowing that you have a game the next night. Against the best team in the league .

[@smanc]

@@JT_for_Three Well Minnesota won the first game. Porzingis played in that game. And like you mentioned, there is always zero excuses for that, right? Well i guess Minnesota has to loose a couple of Conference finals to be on the Celtics level.

[@williamhedelin4602]

Thank you for the content Ben, learning a lot from it. Much love

[@NikkiDoesStufff]

As someone new to watching basketball I loved this video. Very well done. Its so nice actually understanding what I’m watching. If you made more like this I’d watch every one.

[@everminenow]

Statistically, Wolves have the best defensive rating but the Celtics personnel are just smart and know what to do on clutch situation like this.

[@darrenw638]

Until it’s the playoffs and teams like the heat are allowed to play more defense and teams can’t foul bait as much

[@JT_for_Three]

@@darrenw638lol ain’t nobody worried about the heat anymore man.

[@DillaDonuts]

17:07 GARDEN WAS ROCKING !!!! LETS GO CELTICS.☘️☘️☘️

[@AidanS99]

4:05 Definitely wasn’t a perfect jump. Ant used his other arm to hold Tatum down and the refs missed it.

[@darrenw638]

Shouldn’t have been a jump in the first place Tatum was straight up trying to hold Ant’s hand and got no ball

[@kbrichmo8547]

Top 5 Tatums been peakin his head up in January. The Slander after the OKC game woke him up from hibernation

[@TolbertOseiOwusu]

Ben please do more of these game breaks downs . This video is very educative . I love how detailed your breakdown is . Please do this more often 😭😭🙏🙏🙏

[@LevelofClarity]

It’s awesome that the NBA allows this type of use of their content. In many other industries creators are getting copyright strikes for use like this, even though it definitely should be fair use with the commentary overlay. Excellent video, as always.

[@bulja80085]

I think they let him because he also makes some content for their official channel, and it is free promotion of their product, people will watch this and be like "damn, I shouldn't have missed that game" so they may end up watching more games because of this

[@derricknicolas3986]

Ben, I love this video. Thank you for making this! More of these please!!!!

[@leos_27]

Curiously, the first Celtics x Wolves encounter this season was also incredible, by the way, but ended up in a Wolves win, highlighted by an Edwards offensive masterclass and a Gobert defensive masterclass.

[@Jeromeyromeyrome]

Nothing curious about it, wolves win again if gobert and Conley played

[@kimtoncoleman8934]

​@@Jeromeyromeyromeprobably not

[@NotOneToFly]

@@Jeromeyromeyrome Maybe maybe not. Our offense doesn't run as well without Porzingis. I'm super looking forward to the rubber match and hope everyone's healthy for it.

[@DillaDonuts]

​@Jeromeyromeyrome lol and what about KP not playing ?? Let's not forget White didn't play that first game either.

[@JT_for_Three]

Do y’all actually realize HOW ELITE K.P. makes the Celtics ?

[@jonathanberrios585]

That was the best game ive seen in all my years watching tatum my goodness was that clutch 👏

[@APJ2679]

Please make the watch alongs a regular thing loved this video

[@sGzBugz]

Edwards perfect jump on the jump ball lol sure that is what happened. Very crafty is Ant to get away with what he did. Great video breakdown was very enjoyable

[@joefox5802]

“Perfect jump” on the jump ball 😂😂 grabbed his whole ass arm

[@ancientatomicimmortality4016]

Ant is definitely a superstar in the making but he NEEDS to work on his passing especially when he's driving cause he missed sooooo many guys who had way better shots than him. Tatum actually suffers from this too but when u win the game it's justified

[@3questo699]

His youth showed up late in the game. He'll get better with experience. He's special fosho

[@TerminatorJoy44]

I don’t think Tatum really struggles with that at all considering Celtics offense uses drive and kick looks as a cornerstone, as a Celtics fan I will say earlier in his career Jayson struggled to pass out of things like double teams, but now that’s become something that he can kill teams on because he’s willing and able to make the extra and more difficult pass, Ant is a great player and I love to watch him, but as you can tell from watching the game last night, he needs to specifically work on his passing out of getting blitzed on PnRs and out of double teams, like on that jrue steal in OT, he panics sometimes and just throws the ball to the defense instead of reading it and finding the gap.

[@nydibs]

Ant has his moments, but the wolves offense is so stagnant, no movement, it’s hard to get a pass off

[@Mirage475]

Tatum is averaging way more assists this year I feel

[@CMXR]

@@Mirage475he’s averaging the same assists as last year

[@spenserkao]

Agreed, this the game of the season. What an in-depth analysis!

[@billymcneil7693]

This my first Celtics game since 2011 I went to. Really cool experience

[@jenandcoke]

great video. need more play breakdowns like this.

[@crewser1395]

Great video. My only complaint is that you said Ant had a perfect jump on that jump ball. He held Tatum's arm down with his off hand.

[@Merl61]

Was coming to write the same comment. That was one of the most blatant jump ball fouls I've ever seen and it wasn't called.

[@bossaudio12]

Many bad calls mostly for twolves

[@jackdearmond3640]

Felt the same way. Not a perfect jump 😂

[@bpdmf2798]

This was too sweet the Celtics home win streak. Made it that much nicer for Boston fans.

[@tobywebb3377]

This is one of those games where I was watching and just thinking teams don't punish size mismatch as much anymore. Lots of times KAT ended up on Brown and never saw the ball in the post

[@dennismfoley]

Great commentary/video. Best Game of the year.

[@rafaelordine3595]

Love this format of video, pls keep on coming

[@jonathanm1740]

13:53 JT "hesitation move" 😂😂

[@kneerkat1]

Please make moremof these breakdowns! Loved it.

[@lamediamond4172]

I need more watch alongs this is it!

[@joshcox2649]

This shows why I hate that some people say that the NBA has no defence. This is all from one game in the last Q/OT and you could easily spend an hour going over the defensive schemes of both teams. Offence is so good nowadays that it overshadows just how great defensive has also gotten.

[@hugh_janus_g]

thank you ben and team !!! more of these please xxx

[@rockwallguy]

Would watch every single one of these style of videos.

[@Splashm79]

Can you plz keep making these videos where you analyze games with tight finishes. It helps me to watch something when eating dinner😅

[@ethantrunnell9790]

Watching basketball with Ben is great.

[@曾暐剛]

Thank you a lot! It’s so detailed you know. Lot to learn from this game, and of course from your channel. Please make more videos🙇‍♂️ No matter what the subject is

[@BigBoyDanny123]

Love this watch along video. Would make a great series!

[@dunmatta2670]

AE can be great but he has the case of too much tunnel vision to my liking. Love these kind of vids

[@geordiejones5618]

He's young and learning how to dominate his own way. He'll get there.

[@dunmatta2670]

​@@geordiejones5618 This is where I disagree. But time will tell. He's developing some bad habits even on defense.

[@shun9132]

we need more watch alongsss 😭😭

[@franciscodacunha4643]

Wasnt able to watch the game last night, so this video is just what i needed to get a better understanding of the ending!!

[@frederickdelius1106]

That derrick white is noice. That was so much fun to watch great video

[@Pats308]

I’m here after Wolves beat Nuggets. This was such a game. Honestly if this is a preview to the finals and how both teams playing like that, could be so epic

[@paxtonboyer8568]

this breakdown was awesome!!! loved it

[@ethanwilding9037]

To add along with your deceleration comment that I completely agree with, someone else I feel like has mastered that skill is D'Arron Fox and paired with his quickness and agility, wow. No wonder he scores so much.

[@maximilianvonhelldorff684]

Amazing stuff. Thx for the great breakdown.

[@partygarbage7171]

I had the exact same reaction-- game of the year? All things considered (missing players, back-to-back, travel, blah blah blah). And I could regurgitate the Wolves ongoing shortcomings (ball movement, turnovers, rebounding, blah blah blah.). But not after that game, because that was JUST TOO GODDAMN FUN!!!!!

[@Barkoaa]

watched right through incredible breakdown sir

[@kylelanger8611]

I would’ve loved to see Conley and Gobert in this game as well. Super fun to play against this Boston team, I love the new Timberwolves. It’s fun being good for once

[@dimelo58]

Yoo I love this type of video do more of these man

[@hahaiwon8]

Best video you have made so far !

[@emilioherndez]

Please make more break-down videos like this, super helpful

[@rm-rc7zj]

make 2 hour long versions of these. We will watch!

[@ItsJuhE]

“Perfect jump” as Edwards holds JT whole arm down in front of the refs😂

[@tomwalker77137]

love this type of video!!

[@Mydgetslyr32]

Would love to see more videos just like this!

[@albertsebastian4489]

JT and JB just shredded the supposed number one defense in the NBA! Lmao

[@nydibs]

JT was only 6-14 until McDaniels got into foul trouble. And Rudy Gobert and Conley were missing too

[@tlang3318]

@@nydibslil guy said conley

[@SortaRicann]

Best Celtics game I’ve ever been to! ☘️☘️☘️

[@545ocap]

Love this type of video, hope to see more

[@chowsnipes8560]

This video was awesome, more watch alongs!

[@safareto2453]

Would love to see more videos like this, good stuff

[@peterobi6759]

Do more of these please Love the analysis

[@jsung19]

If both teams can stay healthy, I think we'll see the Twolves again in the Finals. Ant is insane, and they didn't even have Gobert on the second night of a B2B.

[@Pktattooss]

And the Celtics didn’t have Porzingis. Luckily for the Wolves.

[@wemakecookie]

@@Pktattoossmissing DPOY gobert alone is more significant but the wolves were also without their pg Conley and on B2B

[@wesbeausoleil8193]

This is the finals we need

[@blabovitch]

I love video breakdowns like these, maybe I'll try the podcast if theres more there

[@Johnnybarbs92]

Ant definitely held Tatums arm on that jump ball

[@jemirtoussaint4940]

We need more of these badlyyyy

[@gearskid14]

Calling out Tatum for a potential foul and them immediately praising ANT for a blatant foul on the jump ball is just crazy....

[@zicobond9942]

double crossover moves are elite

[@MrTenInHell]

I woud die for an OKC video and the fact that Derick White game the Celtis 2 games winning possessions is incredible. I want him on Nuggets if KCP leaves.

[@gregorywilson2124]

Great analysis. I enjoyed it.

[@Backpage_Alumni]

4:07 didn't acknowledge ant holding jt's are to get the jump ball but called the foul a perfect jump