The Top 5 Plays from Monday's Celtics-Pistons Game

Derrick White taking flight, Jayson Tatum slicing his way to the cylinder, and the four-time All-Star targeting and capitalizing on a mismatch headline the breakdown of the top five plays from Monday's Celtics-Pistons game.

The Celtics Score Their First Points in Style

The Rob lob never fails pic.twitter.com/BuDuy7nr0Q
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 7, 2023

Freeze it at the two-second mark. As Al Horford's ready to get the ball ahead to Jayson Tatum, Boston has a numbers advantage, and everyone in white is in a sprint.

Tatum gets the ball to Derrick White, and with Alec Burks trying to hedge between the ball and a cutting Robert Williams, he doesn't take anything away from the Celtics.

Bojan Bogdanovic wants to stay at the perimeter to account for Tatum and Sam Hauser, but he realizes he has to pinch in. Unfortunately for the Pistons, by the time Bogdanovic does so, it's too late to prevent this alley-oop to the Timelord.

Derrick White Rattles the Rim

Take flight Dwhite 🚀 pic.twitter.com/qKEO0Yfg2m
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 7, 2023

Burks again finds himself in the center of the action. Here, he pinches in to prevent Tatum from getting into the paint. But Burks is fixated on Boston's best player and not paying attention to White.

Seeing this, Tatum keeps Burks engaged, cueing White to break to the basket. Duren is late to peel off Grant Williams, and Bogdanovic, wanting to recover to the corner if there's a kick-out pass, is stationary.

The result is White elevating off two feet and finishing through the foul from Detroit's starting center.

Derrick White Puts Isaiah Livers in a Blender

+1 Spin Cycle🌀 pic.twitter.com/gVBEuockiz
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 7, 2023

When Grant Williams swings the ball to White, Isaiah Livers positions himself to defend against a dribble handoff or any action the Celtics mentioned might run.

Seeing that, White gives a quick rip through off the catch and drives baseline, then puts the second-year forward in the spin cycle.

Jayson Tatum Slices His Way to the Cylinder

Dancin' coast to coast 🕺🏽 pic.twitter.com/eWr04d8K0t
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 7, 2023

With Isaiah Stewart at the elbow, ready to pick up Blake Griffin, he affords Tatum too wide a corridor as the latter utilizes his length, spinning and striding his way to the cup.

Jayson Tatum Bests Saddiq Bey

TATUM IS LOCKED IN 🔒 pic.twitter.com/Y5ZKPMzDy7
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 7, 2023

Tatum dictates the switch he wants, initiating a matchup with Saddiq Bey. The now four-time All-Star loses the ball as he starts his drive but quickly improvises, using the Smitty, a half-turn most commonly associated with Steve Smith.

What's clear in this play is Tatum's determination to get a bucket. Even with Stewart waiting with a foot in the restricted area, the Celtics' star muscles his way to the basket for two points off the right side of the glass.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Pistons: Heavy Lifting Done in Middle Two Frames in Boston's Victory in the Motor City

Sam Hauser Discusses His First NBA Start

Nothing More Than a Rumor: The Celtics Should Not and Will Not Trade Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant

Celtics Reportedly Considering Trade For Local Big Man To Improve Center Depth

Instant Reaction to Nets Trading Kyrie Irving to Mavericks, a Missed Opportunity for a Celtics' Rival

1:1 with Paul Pierce on What the Celtics-Lakers Rivalry Means to Him; Jayson Tatum's Growth, His Evaluation of Boston's Season, and More

A Potential Buyout Target and the Celtics are Reportedly Showing Mutual Interest

Celtics Reportedly Interested in Reunion with Kelly Olynyk

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