Jrue Holiday averaged 18 points and 6.3 assists on the Celtics’ West Coast trip. When he’s aggressive at that end, their offense and title pursuit benefit from it. When the Boston Celtics took off for San Francisco, Jrue Holiday had yet to register a 20-point performance this season. He put 18 on the board in wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets and scored 17 in Boston’s home opener, a victory vs. the Miami Heat. But while the two-time All-Star is plenty willing to sacrifice, a theme of his new team’s championship pursuit, it often felt like he was getting lost in the shuffle.
That combination reflects his ability to operate aggressively without hijacking the offense, instead working within the flow of it. And when Tatum returned for Saturday’s 145-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, sans another member of the team’s top six, Kristaps Porzingis, out due to a left ankle sprain, Holiday maintained that approach, generating 20 points, knocking down 8/12 (66.7 percent) of his field goal attempts, and drilling four of the six shots he hoisted from beyond the arc again.
Both plays highlight his assertiveness, with the former capturing his increased comfort with looking to score and letting it fly when he has a clean look. The latter demonstrates his abilities as a facilitator and how it’s easier to tap into that when he’s aggressive.
“I think just consistently or constantly trying to be aggressive, find my spots to kind of look for my shot and play-make,” the 14-year veteran conveyed after Saturday’s victory. “Even before them being out, the coaching staff and Joe (Mazzulla) told me that I need to be aggressive, so, really just trying to find my place.”
