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What is the Boston Celtics closing lineup?

By Logan Reardon

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Gordon Hayward
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Gordon Hayward /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 23: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics speaks to his team in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 23: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics speaks to his team in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Aron Baynes

Baynes comes in at the bottom of this list simply due to the way the game is played. The league is clearly tending toward small-ball lineups, and with Horford already on the floor, it is unlikely that Baynes will close games.

If Horford or Morris get into foul trouble, Baynes will be the first guy in line to fill in. But, it’ll be rare to see Baynes closing out a tight game.

With all that being said, the Celtics best closing lineup will change on a game-by-game basis. The most common and effective lineup should include Irving, Smart, Brown, Hayward and Horford. Brown and Morris will be the most interchangeable of the group.

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Either of those lineups give the Celtics a great chance at the end of games. They have offensive threats with the ability to make clutch shots in Irving and Hayward, but they also have defensive stoppers in Smart and Brown.

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