The Boston Celtics have roared out to a 15-4 start and look as good as any team in the league with among the toughest schedules in the Association to start their next run at hanging Banner 18. Even with key players like star big man Kristaps Porzingis and veteran point guard Jrue Holiday out for multiple games, the Celtics keep on rolling.
In fact, their worst enemy so far this season has been, by and large, their own lethargy and lack of focus on some nights – perhaps with a dash of length, strength, and physical defense from a handful of opponents. But even these flubs are few and far between.
“Few, if any, lineups in the NBA look as utterly dominant as the Boston Celtics starters have so far this season,” concurs Bleacher Report NBA analyst Andy Bailey.
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“We’re still in the ‘small sample theater’ portion of the season, but when Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis are all on the floor, Boston is a whopping plus-28.2 points per 100 possessions,” suggests the B/R analyst.
“Even when one or two of the above are unavailable, as Porzingis was for the team’s final in-season tournament group game on Tuesday, the Celtics have just enough depth and balance to remain dominant. With Al Horford in KP’s place, Boston crushed the reeling Chicago Bulls by 27 points, securing its place in the knockout round of the new tournament.”
“Now that they’re officially one of the final eight teams, they’re unsurprisingly the favorite to win the whole thing,” adds Bailey.
Boston's Al Horford on how he helps the Celtics contain Joel Embiid https://t.co/L7NtETfLLy pic.twitter.com/9X2ST4NoCl
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 2, 2023
There are still issues to iron out, however, whether from the absence of a reliable third big given KP’s health and Horford’s age, to a mediocre showing on the playmaking front and not quite enough wing depth off the bench.
But the trade deadline is still months away, and finding the right mix of deeper rotation players could also solve much of those ills internally.
And if there is a team in the league that can afford to be patient, it’s hard to make a better case than for Boston.
Bulls legend Scottie Pippen was almost traded to the Boston Celtics in 1997 https://t.co/1VOws2vvm3 pic.twitter.com/6o7wapn5Wg
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 2, 2023
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