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The Celtics’ new game clock trick, explained
The Boston Celtics have not too long ago made waves for a game-clock trick they’ve pulled off whereas holding fourth-quarter leads. The maneuver is not completely new — Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is thought for it — but it surely has confused viewers and rattled opponents when Boston has used it this season.
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An ideal instance of the C’s trick got here throughout Friday’s win over the Denver Nuggets. With a 13-point lead within the fourth, Jayson Tatum let the ball roll on the ground in entrance of him reasonably than taking the inbounds move. Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon was referred to as for a flagrant foul on the play after operating over Grant Williams, who was a screener on the play alongside Al Horford.
The Celtics did it once more in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Pistons, this time making the most of Detroit’s press protection to transform a transition bucket.
OK, however what was the purpose of all that?
The sport clock runs repeatedly on made baskets earlier than the ultimate two minutes of the sport. The shot clock, nonetheless, doesn’t begin till the ball is touched. So if the workforce is not compelled to choose the ball up and begin the shot clock, they will preserve the ball so long as they’d like whereas the sport clock winds down. It is a sensible technique for groups seeking to stave off their opponent’s fourth-quarter comebacks.
Our Ted Johnson and Phil Perry provided a extra in-depth rationalization of the Celtics’ game-clock trick on “Celtics Publish Up”. You possibly can watch that video above to study extra.
Boston additionally used the trick of their Oct. 21 win over the Miami Warmth and their victory over the Orlando Magic the next evening. Throughout the latter, the confused referees stopped the sport after Marcus Good shaved 15 seconds off the sport clock.
It may be a controversial technique, however that will not cease the Celtics from persevering with to make use of it to their benefit. So long as the loophole exists, groups can be foolish to not observe go well with.