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Boston Celtics: 3 C’s that will prove to be pivotal during the team’s grueling January/ February schedule

By Mark Nilon

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 25: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 25, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 25: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 25, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

Daniel Theis

Undervalued by many, Daniel Theis has proven to be a solid option for the Boston Celtics at their starting pivot spot thus far in 2019-20. Through 28 games the third year big is finding himself averaging seven points, 6.1 boards and 1.5 blocks per game on 52% shooting from the field and 30% shooting from deep.

He has improved upon his outside stroke as the season continues to progress (3-point percentage was as low as 16% at one point) and has been quite a solid presence on the defensive end, as he currently holds a defensive box +/- of 4.4 (second best on the team) — this is perhaps the biggest reason why he could prove to be so pivotal during their upcoming stretch.

Through Boston’s 33 game debacle, they will square off against some of the best big men the league currently has to offer in Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond, Nikola Vucevic and LaMarcus Aldridge, just to name a few.

10 of their games will be against seven teams that rank within the top-15 in the league in points-in-the-paint averages, six of whom rank within the top-10. Because of both these factors, the Boston Celtics need their front court, specifically Theis, to be on their A-game on more occasions than not.

Because of the bevy of offensive talents the team currently has at their disposal (Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward) Theis has not been asked to put fourth all-out effort on that side of the ball. This pattern should not be changing during this upcoming stretch, thus having him focus more on defense.

When Theis brings maximum attention and effort on d, the Celtics have tended to fair quite well. This should very well prove to be the case during this grueling slate on the schedule.

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