Back to business: 10 takeaways from Celtics/Rockets

#1 No sentiment for Udoka’s return

Yes, there was some fanfare during the build-up to the game. Ime Udoka answered multiple questions on how his tenure with the Boston Celtics ended and what he thought of his first game back in the TD Garden.

Personally, I wasn’t a fan. I would have preferred the focus to be on the Celtics bouncing back from a scheduled loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. However, from the opening tip, the Celtics were about their business. There was no taking it lightly on their former head coach. No room for sentiment. It was a straight clinic.

That’s how it should be. And, for a Celtics team that has received plaudits all season long for the growth in their mentality, this was another hurdle they cleared with little fuss. The good signs keep piling up.

#2 Jaylen Brown’s mid-range game has unlocked everything

This is more of an over-arching takeaway. It stems beyond the win or his performance against the Houston Rockets. Yet, it also ties directly into what we saw from Brown on Saturday night.

Brown started showing signs of a mid-range game in the 2019-20 season. For the majority of his career, that shot has been part of his offensive diet. However, over the past 18 months, there has been some growth in how he consistently utilizes his ability to knock down shots in the middle of the court.

Before, getting into the mid-range was an option. It was something he frequently looked to do.

Now, it’s a counter. There’s a big difference.

At this stage of his career, Brown likely understands that defenses will often look to take away certain sections of the court, with their decision being dependent on the phase of play.

Now, if a defense cuts off his drive, Brown can counter with a step-back or a fadeaway in the mid-range. If they run him off the three-point line, he can navigate toward the nail or elbow and let it fly if they shut down passing lanes when he’s posting up a cool turnaround fadeaway.

Suddenly, as opposing teams begin to take away the mid-range shot, threes begin to open up, or driving lanes pop up out of nowhere.

Against Houston, Brown took 15 shots. 5 of them came in the mid-range. 4 came around the rim. And 6 were from three. That’s a healthy diet in terms of shot selection and one that directly fits his scoring profile and ever-improving skillset.

This play above is a good example of what I’m talking about. Brown beats his man off the dribble and gets him connected to his hip. We know he has the…