NBA
Three Reasons Why the Celtics are on a Win Streak
The Boston Celtics won by a record margin last night against the flailing Chicago Bulls. This was the 5th game in a row that the Celtics won, putting them two games back of the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference. After struggling to stay above .500 for the first quarter of the season, the Celtics have finally hit their stride. Here are the three reasons why.
Starting Marcus and Marcus
The move started with Gordon Hayward being moved to the bench, and was replaced with Marcus Morris. A few games later Jaylen Brown, who has been struggling with his shot, went down with a back injury. Marcus Smart would replace Brown. The addition of Smart and Morris to the starting lineup has rejuvenated the team. The defense has been put back on track to where it was last season because of this move.
Furthermore, Hayward and Brown coming off the bench has been the best thing for the second unit. They’ve been running through all opposing bench units. For example, Brown has had his most efficient games of the season. In his two games back, he has scored 44 points on 71% shooting. Rozier and Theis have benefited the most from this move because it makes them less of a priority for opposing defenses, and they get great shots from this.
Defense and Adapting
Something that stood out in the win against the New York Knicks was how the defense adapted. In the game, Enes Kanter and Noah Vonleh had 14 and 12 points each in the first half. During halftime, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens made the adjustment defensively. Kanter and Vonleh didn’t score again for the rest of the game.
Moreover, there have been countless examples of fast breaks being started of deflections or steals. The Celtics are creating good shots from great defense. They are really returning to the Celtics from last year who finished 2nd in the league in defensive efficiency.
A New Approach on Offense
Boston’s approach on offense to begin the season was slow. Little to no movement, and trying to score based on skill. There were too many possessions where it would be Tatum or Irving dribbling the air out of the ball, until they take an inefficient midrange jumpshot. The bench was the same ordeal, relying on Rozier to take a majority of shots with no other movement.
During this five-game stretch that has been a thing of the past. The offense is a well oiled machine because it has less ball handlers in the starting lineup, and players that compliment each other playing together. Irving and Morris are a deadly duo, and it is important that they get many reps together.
Furthermore, Tatum has still been taking bad shots from time to time. However, it has become less common. Lastly, as previously mentioned with Hayward and Brown being moved to the bench, this has given them a well balanced attack where they can outplay every second unit in the league.
Photo Credit
James Anderson via Flickr
