Inside the Boston Celtics' Xs&Os

5-Out Offense, Making Reads, and Horns Sets

Want a simple, inexpensive way to continue to grow as a basketball coach? A Quick Timeout+ newsletter’s weekly basketball coaching resources will do just that! For only $5.49/month (or $49.99/year - 25% off!), you’ll get access to Xs & Os breakdowns, film edits, skill development ideas, exclusive coach interviews, and more. Don’t put it off any longer!

I’ve been breaking down Celtics’ Xs&Os since the Brad Stevens days. Mazzulla has given us some good stuff too. Here are a few of my takeaways from this year’s Celtics offense.

Horns V with Iso

Boston has gone to this Horns action throughout the Knicks series when Holiday’s matchup is favorable. It’s a familiar set - the two points of the Horns step up to set ball screens for the ballhandler. Instead of using the screens, the ballhandler will pass to Holiday lifting from the corner. With the big defenders above the 3P line and a shooter in the opposite corner, Holiday has a one-on-one with his man.