5 reasons behind the Boston Celtics recent surge
Boston Globe
Saying that the Boston Celtics have turned it on in the second half of the NBA season would be an understatement. They’ve won 16 of their last 19 games, boosting them up to the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. A team that was once looked at with a side-eye is now being considered an actual contender. Here are five reasons for the Celtics’ recent surge.
5 reasons behind the Boston Celtics recent surge
1. Defense
This is for by far the biggest reason for the C’s success - Boston has been the best defensive team in the league. The new addition of Derrick White has allowed them to add some perimeter defense alongside Marcus Smart. In the paint, Robert Williams, Al Horford, and Grant Williams have been versatile, switching onto any position they are needed to. They even win the rebounding matchup, as Time Lord gets blocks and alters shots. Coach Udoka has found a way to get his guys to buy-in. So yes, the Celtics have been getting better on the offensive end, but it’s the defense that’s been the big reason for their success.
2. Jaylen Brown took a step back
“The energy is about to shift,” said Jaylen Brown in a tweet at the end of January. This was right before the season turnaround, and boy was he spot on.
What was the difference? Jaylen Brown began to allow Jayson Tatum to be the star and number one option on offense. Tatum has been the leading shot taker by a wide margin and has been dropping 40+ on what seems like a nightly basis. Brown is playing like the second option by picking his spots, driving to the basket when needed, and defending well. He’s cool with dropping 20 points a night and buying into the system.
3. Passing the rock
There’s no more ‘hero ball’ with Tatum or Brown. Sure, here and there the two will take out the ‘do it yourself kit,’ but not nearly as much as before. The C’s are facilitating well and it’s accelerating their offense to new levels. Robert Williams has been consistently putting up a double-double. Marcus Smart has been making shots and averaging higher assist numbers. And with no true point guard for the Celtics, they’ll need to continue to swing the rock. They’re making defenses stay honest to their assignments.
4. Making shots
Passing the rock is great and all, but players need to make shots - and the Celtics have been doing just that. The unsung hero has been Grant Williams, as the big man has been not only defending well, but he’s been making corner threes, thus keeping defenses on their toes. Jayson Tatum has, of course, been playing out of his mind offensively. And Marcus Smart has been making open shots on a nightly basis, too.
5. Good timing
This may sound like a discredit to the C’, but it’s just the truth. The top teams the Celtics have played as of late have been fighting injuries, with some impactful players missing. When they played the Brooklyn Nets Sunday, Ben Simmons was out. Before that, KD and Irving were out multiple times. When Boston faced the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry were out. And it just so happens the Celtics have been fortunate when it comes to keeping guys healthy.
