The Boston Celtics now face a 2-0 series deficit to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. One of Boston’s greatest limitations has been their inability to contain Bam Adebayo, and Draymond Green has a suggestion for a potential adjustment.
The Celtics’ struggles to handle Adebayo were put on full display in Game 2 when he managed to put up 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was often being allowed to roll to the rim and be a relief option near the basket on cuts.
A potential adjustment Draymond Green believes the Celtics should make is to play Grant Williams more at the five spot and switch the pick-and-roll sequences Adebayo is involved in.
When considering how effective Goran Dragic has been in pick-and-roll situations with Adebayo as the screener, Green’s suggestion makes all the more sense. It would help them to contain dribble penetration and to better handle the dives to the rim.
From a personnel standpoint, Grant Williams has a much better chance of being able to hold his own against Adebayo than Enes Kanter as well. So whenever Daniel Theis is not on the court, going with Williams would be the better choice.
The Celtics would be best served following Draymond Green’s advice in Game 3 to better handle Adebayo. He has been the ‘quarterback’ of the Golden State Warriors’ defense for years and his insight has been one of the key reasons their unit has thrived on that end.
It will already be difficult enough for the Celtics to get back into this series considering the Heat are 16-0 all-time when holding a 2-0 series lead. Failing to get the job done in Game 3 would surely be too troubling for Boston and that’s a possibility if they can’t slow down Bam Adebayo.
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