Despite having a 2-3 record, the Boston Celtics are still one of the best teams in the NBA, and two areas have held them back: Shooting and rebounding. If not for their three-point struggles and poor efforts on the glass, they could be in a much better position, and their defense is leading the charge.
The Celtics are one of three teams that currently rank in the top 10 in offensive and defensive rating. The other two teams are the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs, who are a combined 7-1 on the season. And though them being a top-10 offensive team in spite of Derrick White and Payton Pritchard’s shooting woes is impressive, it’s Boston’s defense that will lead the way.
They have a chance to be an elite defensive team this season.
Celtics defense will lead the charge this season
Entering the year, the Celtics decided to switch up their defensive game plan. With Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford no longer on the floor, the game plan would have to match the personnel.
As a result, Joe Mazzulla implemented a more chaotic, roaming style of defense that emphasizes extra risks and covering for each other on that end of the court.
Though their poor defensive rebounding has let them down, their defense has been very successful in the early portion of the season. In fact, it’s up there with the best in the NBA.
Boston’s defensive rating through the first five games of the season sits at 111.2, which ranks ninth in the league. However, the actual defensive stats are even more favorable.
Opponents are shooting just 40.0% from the field against the Celtics this season—the best mark in the NBA. The next-best team in that category is the Spurs, who are holding opponents to 41.6% shooting from the floor. The Celtics are also only allowing 107.2 points per game, which is second in the NBA behind only San Antonio.
On top of that, teams are only shooting 32.7% from deep against Boston (seventh in the NBA) despite the fact that the Celtics are allowing the seventh-most three-point attempts per game (41.6).
All the numbers point to it: The Celtics are an elite NBA defense. If they can get their defensive rebounding in order, the already-impressive defense they have in place will jump to an entirely new level.
That’s where Boston is going to hang its hat this season.