The Celtics’ Rollercoaster Ride Continues
Despite their 13-3 record, the Boston Celtics have been playing some of the most inconsistent basketball in the league. On one hand, they’re technically off to a better start than their championship season last year. On the other hand, their performances have been marred by sloppy play, poor defense, and an over-reliance on individual talent.
The Good
In their latest win, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum once again proved why they’re one of the most formidable duos in the NBA. Brown led the team with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Tatum chipped in with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Their ability to take over games on both ends of the floor is a major reason why the Celtics are still winning despite their subpar team performance.
Jrue Holiday also deserves credit for his solid all-around game, contributing 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 4 steals. His quiet confidence and ability to make big plays when it matters most have been a welcome addition to the Celtics’ lineup.
The Bad
However, the Celtics’ paint defense has been atrocious, allowing opponents to score 68, 70, and 52 points in their last three games. This lack of interior defense is a major concern, especially considering they’re allowing opponents to shoot 67.7% in the restricted area and 44.4% in non-restricted areas.
Jayson Tatum had his worst game of the season, shooting 0-10 from deep and looking disinterested for large stretches of the game. While everyone has off nights, Tatum’s lack of effort was noticeable and set a poor tone for the rest of the team.
The Ugly
Neemias Queta’s performance was a major eyesore, with the rookie center struggling to make an impact on either end of the floor. His lack of energy and slow processing on offense were particularly concerning, and he was eventually benched in favor of Luke Kornet.
The Bottom Line
Despite their winning record, the Celtics need to address their inconsistent play and poor defense if they want to make a deep playoff run. They can’t continue to rely on individual talent to bail them out of close games. With tough matchups against the Timberwolves and Clippers on the horizon, the Celtics need to find a way to play a complete 48 minutes of basketball. Anything less will result in disappointing losses.
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