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Balance Once Again Key in Boston Celtics Victory

By Joshua Bateman

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics looks to pass the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Boston defeated Detroit 110-98. 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 Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics looks to pass the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Boston defeated Detroit 110-98. 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 Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics continue to show how important it is for them to be balanced

The Boston Celtics finally got back to their winning ways, and once again it was thanks to great contributions  from a bench unit that has been far too inconsistent this season. A lot has been said about Boston’s growing top talent this season, but getting balance and contributions across the board continue to be the biggest factor in winning.

Daniel Theis is the one that stands out the most, because he lead the team with 19 points, and had a team high seven rebounds. Theis brought everything the Celtics could have imagined when they signed him, as an efficient finisher, three point threat and standout defender.

Theis stood out the most, but the entire bench came to play in this one, and made sure that Kyrie Irving was not having to carry everything by himself. The Celtics had a standout offensive game, with Irving and Al Horford combining for just 21 points.

The bench actually managed to have more double digit scorers than the starters. Marcus Morris contributed 15 points, Marcus Smart scored 12 points and Terry Rozier scored 11. There is a case to be made that this was the best game of the season for the second unit, and one of the best overall performances from the team on the year.

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The Celtics were effective and efficient in everything they did, because they were able to get comfortable and be in rhythm at all times. The Celtics were able to dictate the terms of this one, and there was nothing the Pistons could do to respond.

The Celtics finished shooting 48 percent overall and 43 percent from three, on an incredible 30 assists, which almost doubled the total of the Detroit Pistons. The Celtics were able to get comfortable because of their second unit bigs, and made sure they got to play their game as often as possible.

The problem with the Celtics is that we have seen this before. Every once in a while the Celtics come out with these kinds of performances, where everyone is involved and everything functions well. Any time that happens they usually get a commanding victory, and look like a team that can compete with everything.

What the Celtics need to do the rest of the way is prove they can sustain this. They know that they are going to get special scoring and offensive performances from Irving and Horford, but they do not know how many more times the second unit is going to be able to have a performance like this. There are standards and expectations for Irving and Horford, but establishing consistent bench play like this is a big question mark.

With how young the Celtics are, they need this balance, because we have already seen that Irving is not going to win this with hero ball. The Celtics need to prove they can get this balance on a regular basis, and then all of a sudden that number one seed feels like a distinct possibility once again.

Next: Theis makes case to start in win over Pistons

There is still a long ways to go before anyone can trust the second unit to have a performance like this, but getting this kind of balance is clearly the key for the Celtics to get to their best.

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