Are the Celtics coasting during the 2023 postseason?
The Boston Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks 129-101 on April 23 in a game that caused more worry than excitement for Celtics fans. The Cs once again looked as if they were going through the motions and overlooking the Hawks. The lackluster play ultimately begs the question: are the Celtics coasting this postseason?
The Celtics are playing like 50% of their potential. Although their path to a championship may not require them to play at 100%, I would like to see them be better.
— Dylan Thompson (@Dyl_Thomp) April 24, 2023
The opening-round series has seen the Celtics open up a commanding 3-1 lead, but they have not played particularly well. Besides the second quarters of Games 1 and 2 and the fourth quarter of Game 4, the C’s have played mediocre at best. The Celtics are not focusing on the little things and they are just winning because they are the more talented team. The effect has been seen in some key areas that I look at when evaluating great teams in the postseason.
One key aspect that the Boston Celtics are failing in is their attention to detail. The C’s have been atrocious on the defensive glass in this series, which has created second-chance opportunities for the Hawks. In the two games in Atlanta, the Celtics allowed 11 offensive rebounds in each game, which contributed to the loss in Game 3 and the tight affair in Game 4.
The Celtics are allowing an opponent OREB% of 40% in the 4th quarter of this series
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) April 24, 2023
The Pacers were the worst in the NBA in 4th quarter opponent OREB% during the year.....at 33%
The Celtics are also just a step slow on reading when players are hot. I felt that the Boston Celtics did a poor job of guarding De’Andre Hunter in Game 4, as he had 27 points. These attention-to-detail mistakes are ones that you can’t make as you progress through the playoffs.
The Boston Celtics have been coasting in the 2023 postseason
Ultimately, I think the Celtics are coasting in this first-round series, which is fine as long as they can match the intensity needed for future opponents. In the NBA Playoffs, you can’t expect to win every series on talent alone.
Coasting won’t be a winning strategy for very long if there are realistic expectations for Banner 18 being raised in 2023.