After Three Straight Tight Games, Celtics and Raptors Series Even at 2 — Celtics Shooting Under the Microscope

In the modern NBA, shooting is more important than ever. Step-back threes have become the barometer for individual offensive stardom. Consistent 30–35-footers by certain shooters have broken defenses. And the NBA’s green-light has allowed 23 year-olds to dominate a playoff game. If you’ve watched the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, you witnessed Luka Doncic (21), Donavan Mitchell and Jamal Murray (both 23) setting the NBA world on fire with dazzling offense.

Jayson Tatum (21) and Jaylen Brown (23) are two of the three active offensive weapons on the Boston Celtics current playoff roster. The others are Kemba Walker (29) and Gordon Hayward (out with an injured ankle — 30). The Celtics offense relies on Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum bending defenses with their one-on-one prowess. Jaylen Brown’s development from transition finisher, corner 3-maker, and off-ball cutter into overall scorer with better ball-handling and creativity has propelled the Celtics offense to new heights. Kemba’s willingness to step back and let Tatum run the show has enabled Tatum’s confidence to soar. Gordon Hayward’s flexibility (mid-range scoring, catch-and-shoot and play-making) kept the second unit’s offense afloat. That balanced offense (four players over 17 points per…