5 Advantages Celtics have over every other East team

The Boston Celtics have the best record in the NBA, and it is championship or bust in Beantown. They remade their roster this summer and added a few pieces at the trade deadline. Boston is loaded with stars. Hanging banner number 18 is the focus, which means topping every team in the NBA.

The Celtics have opened up a gap at the top of the East. Milwaukee, Cleveland, New York, and Philadelphia are fighting for the second seed. Boston should have home court and has won 25 of their first 28 games at TD Garden this season. Consider it a massive edge, but what on-court advantages can the Celtics use?

They are leading the league in several categories and proving to be an elite team. Boston is top three in offensive and defensive rating and remains a true title contender. Here are their biggest edges over the competition in the East.

5. Post-ups

The Celtics wanted a threat inside to give them a different dimension, so Brad Stevens and the front office acquired Kristaps Porzingis. The 7’2 big man protects the rim and spaces the floor, but it may be his post-ups adding a new wrinkle in Boston that is helping most.

Porzingis runs that play 3.1 possessions per game, which is the seventh-most in the NBA, and he is scoring an incredible 1.42 points per possession. He is the catalyst of the team’s success. The Celtics have the best efficiency in the NBA and top the Eastern Conference in frequency. The defending champion Nuggets are the only team that posts up more than Boston.

Defenses stiffen in the playoffs, so being able to attack in the post is a massive advantage. Kristaps Porzingis can shoot and take advantage of mismatches. His post-up game is on another level in Boston with so much talent around him. Expect the Celtics to take advantage plenty when the games matter most.

This is far from their only advantage as Boston has been arguably the NBA’s best team so far.