GREAT NEWS: BOSTON CELTICS HAS SIGN QB PLAYER, WHO IS BETTER THAN Kevin Garnett.
The Boston Celtics have carved out an incredible record, leading the pack at 15-5 as we make our way through the exciting ups and downs of the NBA season. However, the journey to get here hasn’t been easy; a few uneven performances have drawn
fans’ fury. We examine five key metrics that offer a more comprehensive picture of the Celtics’ current performance in order to put their wild start to the season into perspective.
Every point counts in the world of professional basketball. The Celtics have proven this season that they can handle stressful situations and emerge victorious. Of the 13 games that have been decided by a margin of 10 points or less, they have nine victories under their belt.
These outcomes highlight the team’s fortitude and resiliency when the game is close. These slim wins, though, also draw attention to a possible cause for concern: the team’s patchy play, which results in close scorelines. For the time being, though, their capacity to prevail in these suspenseful finishes is evidence of their perseverance and resilience.
This season, the Boston Celtics have made waves with their heavy reliance on 3-pointers. With an average of 42.8 three-pointers made per game as of December 4, they are the NBA’s top players. The team is second in the league in 3-pointers made per game (15.6), demonstrating the effectiveness of this strategy, despite their middle-of-the-pack 15th-place percentage efficiency of 36.5%.
Compared to the previous season, when they attempted 42.6 threes per game, made 16 per night, and shot 37.7 percent, this is a slight decline. It’s evident that coach Joe Mazzulla has a clear strategic vision, and although the Celtics are producing a lot of points, their accuracy could use some work. Increasing their % scoring from beyond the arc will be the challenge going forward. Although it’s a team effort, players like Derrick White and Sam Hauser are setting the pace. Who else is going to cross the three-point line and help raise the percentage, is the question.
A vital component of the game is rebounding, which shows a team’s ability to score second-chance points offensively as well as their defensive tenacity. With an average of 47.5 rebounds per game, the Celtics rank second in the NBA and have shown themselves to be a formidable force on this front. This remarkable figure is not just a reflection of the team’s large players.
Even without the contributions of huge players like Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics’ ability to rebound is primarily the result of a well-coordinated team effort. With an average of 8.9 rebounds per game, Jayson Tatum leads the group and excels in this crucial area of the game. At 7.2 rebounds per game, guard Jrue Holiday is also making an impact on the boards. Other notable players that are making a difference in the paint are Porzingis (6.7), Al Horford (6.6), Jaylen Brown (5.2), and Derrick White (3.9). All of these statistics show the Celtics’ dedication to controlling the paint and show that their ability to rebound is a team effort.
With a pace rating of 98.66 (as of December 4) that ranks 22nd in the NBA, the Celtics have adopted a less aggressive style this season. “Pace” in basketball refers to how many possessions a team averages in a forty-eight-minute period. A slower tempo denotes a more methodical, defensive approach, while a faster pace represents a quicker, more offensive style of play.
The slower tempo of the Celtics matches their current strategy, which seems to be more focused on playing defense. This approach, though, has two drawbacks. In addition to decreasing the team’s chances for fast break points—where the Celtics are currently ranked 16th—and points off turnovers—where they are currently ranked 20th—it may also aid in control and turnover risk reduction.
In the future, the team might quicken their play to generate more scoring opportunities, maybe emulating the mantra of former Celtics player Tommy Heinsohn: “Run, run, then run some more.”
Tatum has established himself as a key member of the Celtics’ roster with his outstanding play this season. In addition to his incredible average of 27.6 points per game, he has grabbed 8.9 rebounds per game, making him a formidable presence on the glass. He has also had outstanding distribution, averaging 4.2 assists per game.
