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Boston Celtics Depth Will Continue to be Tested

By Joshua Bateman

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 10: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on December 10, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 10: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on December 10, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Will Continue to test their depth with Kyrie Irving sidelined

The Boston Celtics are about to play the Chicago Bulls in the second night of a back to back, but that is not the challenge they now have to be worried about. The Celtics have been dealing with injuries all season long, and they have been cautious with each and every incident. Now, Kyrie Irving is going to miss the game against the Bulls, and Al Horford is still questionable. (Via CelticsBlog)

This is in addition to the already ruled out Marcus Morris, leaving the Celtics thin for a game where players may not be fully rested. This is going to be some of the more difficult conditions the Celtics have been under this season. Fortunately, it is happening against the exact team they want it against.

The Bulls are gunning for that top pick in the draft, and with the way the Celtics have survived injuries, they know they should still have no problem beating the bottom dwelling Bulls.

Obviously, losing Irving is a different kind of blow that missing out on anyone else. He does thing on offense that nobody in the NBA is capable of, and that means Brad Stevens will have to make adjustments, rather than hoping that someone will be able to step up and have his impact.

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The Celtics will feel fine with Marcus Smart starting, knowing that he will bring the added boost on defense, while trying to facilitate and distribute on offense. The biggest difference could be Terry Rozier. Rozier has been bringing a great scoring boost off the bench lately, and the second unit could get abused if Smart is with the starters and Morris still sidelined.

They need that offensive instigator even more on the second unit, knowing that Irving wont be there to make up for offense, but we are at a point where we can be comfortable with Rozier. On top of that, we have seen Shane Larkin come in with unexpected boosts. Hopefully that will not be necessary against the Bulls, but it is something the Celtics have seen before when injuries piled up.

There is no real concern that Irving’s injury is major at this point, and the priority will be making sure that when he gets back on the court there is no additional risk of injury. This also gives them some extra rest in what could be a grueling stretch.

The Celtics have multiple sets of back to backs over the next two weeks, and avoiding this first one will eliminate some of the strain on the players that play the most minutes.

Next: Celtics Know They Are Comfortable on Back to Backs

Boston’s depth is going to be tested against against the Bulls because of the circumstances, but we have seen the Celtics do much more difficult things under much worse circumstances this season already.

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