The Celtics defense has been lacking over the past couple of games and they need to fix it as the playoffs near
It’s no secret that the Boston Celtics have become one of the top defensive teams in the NBA. Spearheaded by a vicious, defensive backcourt, the Celtics are second to only the Houston Rockets in steals per game, but are tops in the league when it comes to forcing turnovers. The team is also among the best in the league in defending the three-point line, currently ranked fourth overall.
So why is it that, despite ranking near the top of the league in several defensive categories, Boston is in the middle of the pack when it comes to opponent’s points per game? Teams are averaging over 102 points per game against the Celtics this season. That number is the highest its been during Brad Stevens‘ short tenure, despite the fact teams are shooting just 44 percent from the field against the Celtics, the lowest mark posted by Boston in that same time. That 44 percent mark is also fifth-best in the league.
How can that be? Free throws. Opponents get to the free throw line more against the Celtics than against just about every other team. The only team that concedes more free throw attempts per game is the Phoenix Suns. On average, opponents are getting to the line a little more than 26 times per game against Boston.
Part of that is due to Boston’s aggressive nature. Obviously, the more aggressive and physical your defense is, the more likely it is you will be whistled for a foul. However, there’s a balance between being overaggressive, and being smart. A balance that the Celtics have struggled to find this season. According to NBAMiner.com, the Celtics commit the second-most loose ball fouls, and the fifth-most shooting fouls per game.
In contrast, look at the San Antonio Spurs. Widely regarded as one of the best defensive teams in the league, San Antonio also ranks near the top of the league in most defensive categories. However, unlike with the Celtics, their opponent’s points per game reflects that. At 92.9 opponent points per game, the Spurs are tops in the league. The difference between the two teams? Sure, the Spurs are more talented, but they are also more disciplined. The Spurs commit the fewest amount of fouls per game, almost five fewer than Boston.
The Celtics get themselves into trouble with silly fouls that put them over the limit quickly, or silly fouls when they are already in the penalty, gifting their opponent easy points in the form of free throws. Avery Bradley has been one of the biggest culprits this year.
Bradley is going to be important to Boston come playoff time because he will likely be assigned to the opponent’s top offensive option. This season – though arguably the best defensive season of his career – has been a tough one for Bradley in terms of head-scratching fouls, including a particularly brutal two-game stretch in February.
More from Hardwood Houdini
- Boston Celtics’ two-way contract decision will be made after training camp
- Proposed trade sends Boston Celtics playoff killer to the Cs from rival
- ‘Face of Germany’s stunning run’ in FIBA World Cup not the only ex-Boston Celtics player to win gold
- Proposed Boston Celtics trade target pitched for reunion with fired coach
- Battle For Banner 18: Will Boston Celtics battle historical foe in 2024 Finals?
A stretch that included fouling Khris Middleton on a jump shot before the buzzer sounded in Milwaukee, leading to game-winning free throws. Bradley followed that up the next night by fouling J.J. Redick not once, but twice –two possessions in a row – on three-pointers in an overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Those are the types of fouls the Celtics need to eliminate.
The Celtics love to play up-tempo, third in the league in pace. Free throws are the ultimate momentum killer, and in the NBA playoffs, in-game momentum is huge. Teams feed off of the energy from the home crowd and can go on game-altering runs. Continuously fouling, and sending opponents to the free throw line can slow the game down and prevent the Celtics from getting into their rhythm.
Next: Boston Celtics: Are Expectations Too High?
Boston is not talented enough offensively where they can afford to waste defensive possessions, or bail teams out by fouling. They cannot be giving away points. We saw it last year in their first round matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In those four games, the Celtics averaged over 26 fouls per game and conceded over 31 free throw attempts per game. If those numbers repeat themselves, it could result in another early exit for Boston this year.