In the Bostin Celtics’ 131-112 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night a few bizarre things happened, but what got the most attention was the Boston Celtics’ new game clock trick. Using the Friday night game as an example, with a 13 point lead and over five minutes remaining in play, the Celtics inbounded a ball after a Gordon dunk. However, instead of picking it up, Jayson Tatum left it there, while Williams and Al Horford worked as screeners until Gordon blew things up.
Before the final two minutes of the game, the game clock continues to run on made baskets, although the shot clock for possession does not start until the ball is touched. Meaning, in theory, a team can keep the ball for minutes at a time if they don’t have to pick up the ball and start the shot clock.
The Celtics have been taking advantage of this loophole and have used it to waste time when they have a lead in the fourth quarter. The Celtics’ trick has been useful in helping the team stave off comebacks this season. The first week they used it was when trying to hold off the Miami Heat in an Eastern Conference finals rematch. Marcus Smart made use of the tactic twice in the final five minutes, ultimately taking 27 seconds off of the clock. The Celtics were able to hold on for a seven point win, largely due to taking off nearly 30 seconds off of the clock.
In yet another Celtics’ matchup with the Orlando Magic, they used the tactic so well that the referees got confused and stopped the game. After Paolo Banchero scored a layup, Smart let the ball drift for 15 seconds before the refs blew the whistle. In that matchup, the Celtics survived with a six point win. This may be something that gets looked at in the offseason, however, there won’t be any rule changes mid-season. Meaning you can expect the Celtics to continue to use the tactic throughout the season.
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