BK_2020 wrote:ballup wrote:It made no sense to have Tatum guard Embiid on that last shot. Embiid was having so much trouble against Horford. Tatum wasn't getting help by the time Embiid got close enough to put up a shot. There was no commitment to a double. Jaylen screws up by doubling on the strong side. Maybe Horford has this sixth sense to help at the very last moment, but it really did seem like Embiid needed to see a double when he was that deep. Even if Horford was in the same situation as Tatum where he gives up the same ground, Tatum is more equipped to provide help from the weakside and be able to contest the Tucker corner 3.
It made sense to switch up the defensive assignments when throughout the game, but this is the last couple of possessions. You need Horford on Embiid.
I liked what Joe did with the coverage, mixing up Tatum and Smart as initial defenders on Embiid with Horford ready to help at the rim.
Horford was already there to double and staring at the play develop. He kinda hedged, though, to prevent a pass to a Tucker corner three. A difficult two by Embiid is probably a very good outcome for the Celtics in that spot. At worst they go to 2nd OT where they'd have the fitness advantage. In any case Jaylen should've trusted the vet Horford to know when to commit to the double, especially when he was tasked with defending Harden who was killing us in the clutch.
Like I said, it is fine to mix up coverage throughout the game. The last couple of possessions arent the time to do that when only one player, maybe two, can hold off Embiid. You put your best defender on their star in those situations
Horford did not commit to the double on time. He would be late at the rate Embiid was attacking and where Horford was positioned. Jaylen doubled at the right time, but he was the wrong person to do it.
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