Short-Range Attack

Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images OFFENSIVE OPTION The Celtics change in strategy in the Conference Semi-Final has Eric Williams on the offensive. Vs. PHI FG-FGA 3 PT-3PTA REB PTS GM 1: 3-3 1-1 1 8 GM 2: 4-6 2-2 2 10 TOTAL: 7-9 3-3 2 18 Vs. DET         GM 1: 4-9 1-2 6 14 GM 2: 6-9 3-4 8 18 TOTAL: 10-18 4-6 14 32 ON THE BOX The Celtics new “outside-in” strategy in the second round has made Eric Williams a more active part of the Celtics offense. Williams has proved he is up to the task, as he now leads the NBA in playoff field goal percentage and ranks second in three-point field goal percentage. The above chart compares what he did in Game One and Two against Philadelphia and with his output in Game One and Two versus Detroit.

Much of the talk about the Celtics success versus the Pistons has been predicated on whether or not Boston can hit the three-point shot. This makes sense, as the series pins the number one three-point shooting team (Boston) versus the fifth-ranked three-point shooting team in the NBA. But in Game One, the Celtics attempted just 19 three-pointers, 6 less than their season average. In Game Two, the Celtics shot just 18 from beyond the arc. In both games, Boston hit just 6 of them.

Coming off a series in which the Celtics shattered its franchise records for three-pointers in the previous round, what’s going on? If the four regular season meetings between the two clubs served as any sort of preview for the Conference Semi-Final, then the results in Game One and Two should come as no surprise.

During the regular season, the Celtics attempted less three-pointers versus Detroit (72) than against any other Eastern Conference team but one – Charlotte, who the C's played just three times. Is it the match-ups? Is it the Pistons wing-orientated squad which mirrors that of the Celtics? Yes and yes. But it may have most to do with the Pistons defensive alignment.

One of Boston’s greatest strengths on the offensive end is its ability to create open shots on the perimeter through the use of screens, traps and pick-and-roll plays. Teams that employ zone schemes against Boston normally play right into the Celtics hands by allowing for open perimeter shots. Philadelphia, for example, used such a formation to allow its bigger, less mobile big men like Dikembe Mutombo, Derrick Coleman and Corie Blount to dominate the lane. But that forced them to sag off the Celtics on the perimeter. So while Philly held a healthy margin in the rebound column, the strategy left them exposed on the outside.

The result? Boston shot themselves into the second round, hitting for a team record 19 three-pointers in Game Five.

But Detroit is a team that plays man-to-man defense, which is less likely to leave players open for uncontested shots on the outside. This allows certain members of the Celtics to utilize skills they have not used a great deal this year.

“It is a post up series,” said Celtics assistant coach Lester Connor. “Philadelphia had a group of big, lengthy guys. We go to how our opponent allows us to go. We scored 42 points in the paint (on Wednesday night), that is a very high number for a playoff game. That is their one weaknesses. In fact, Detroit has shot more threes than we have. If they go to the three-point line, then we will go inside.”

“Every team is different. Every team gives you certain things,” added fellow assistant John Carroll. “Even though that statistic may have held up early in the series, it may not hold up the whole series because we have an advantage at certain positions. Our emphasis is to go to certain positions. Right now, they are playing us one-on-one. Teams that double team or sag, there is more of a chance of them giving the three-point shot.”

While Walter McCarty and Rodney Rogers were standouts in the series versus Philadelphia because of their ability to drag their bigger, less mobile defenders outside, Eric Williams and Paul Pierce use their size and strength on the blocks against smaller Piston defenders.

Williams scored 18 points Wednesday night on 6-of-9 shooting, while Pierce scored 22 – none of which came off the three-point shot. “I get to go to the post without having to worry about double-teams,” said Williams. “They play man-to-man and they usually have their best scorer on me and usually he won’t play a lot of defense because he doesn’t want to get in foul trouble. I just go down there and go to work.

Williams had great success in Game Two, posting up his man, while occasionally finding himself free for a shot from his “sweet spot”, from the corner. Through two games this series, he has connected on 10-of-18 shots from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. These totals have helped make him the league leader in playoff field goal percentage and has boosted him into second place in three-point percentage.

“With the exception of guys like Tracy McGrady and a few others, me and Paul are pretty much bigger and stronger than most of the guys we play. We can pretty much back them down, and if they decide to double, then we have Antoine and Rodney open for the three.”

If the Celtics current plan continues to succeed, it may put the Pistons Head Coach Rick Carlisle in a difficult bind. Does he continue to guard against the three-point shot or does he tempt fate by choosing to pay more attention to the players in the paint and leaving the three-point line unguarded? We may have an answer in Game Three.