Boston Celtics All-Star Break Assessment

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With the NBA All-Star weekend starting tonight, teams around the league will be using the week long break from action to assess their season thus far and to plan their strategy for the home stretch of the season.

For the Boston Celtics, the first 57 games of the season have given fans many reasons to be optimistic for the playoff stretch and the future of the franchise. The Celtics have overcome injuries to key players for much of the season and still enter the break with a 37-20 record, which is good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference and first place in the Atlantic Division. One could expect this record to improve when Avery Bradley, a first team All-Defense selection a year ago and the teams leading rebounder this year, returns after the All-Star break from an achilles tendon injury. Bradley has missed all but one of the teams games since January 6. The Celtics have only played 21 games in which their whole starting five have suited up and played. The much improved play of Marcus Smart and the steady rise of rookie Jaylen Brown have helped the C’s fight through the absence of their usual starters. 

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The Celtics got off to a slow start in 2016, heading into December with a 10-8 record. The team was struggling to integrate their big offseason signee, Al Horford, into their offense due to a concussion that sidelined him for nine games early on. Many had already given up on the Celtics, saying that they would not reach the level of play that was expected of them heading into the season. The Celtics bounced back and won the first two in December, before Isaiah Thomas went down with a groin injury. The Celtics dropped four of the five games without him, putting the team just above .500 on the season. The team never looked back after Thomas’ return though, and have gone 24-8 since his recovery.

Of course, it is impossible to overlook the historic season that Isaiah Thomas has had. Thomas’ 29.9 points per game put him just barely behind Russell Westbrook for the leagues leading scorer. That stat would be impressive for any player in the league, let alone a 5’9 point guard under a very team friendly  $6.6 million salary this season. Thomas has earned the nickname “The King of the Fourth” for his heroic performances in fourth quarters in seemingly every game this season. His fourth quarter points per game average is the highest average than any player has had in over 20 years. The performance of the Celtics only All-Star player has not gone unnoticed, as he has been nominated for the Eastern Conference player of the week for 8 straight weeks, and was named the Eastern Conference player of the week in January when he averaged a stellar 32.9 points per game, good enough for the fourth highest scoring month in Celtics history. Thomas enters the All-Star break with a Celtics record 41 straight 20 point games.

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Despite the Celtics impressive record heading into the All-Star break, their is still plenty of room for improvement, especially rebounding the ball. They rank 27th out of 30 NBA teams in rebound differential. Many thought that the acquisition of Horford would help secure the paint for the Celtics, but the starting center has averaged an underwhelming 6.7 rebounds per game. It is unusual for a guard to lead a team in rebounding, but that is the case for Avery Bradley and the Celtics. In Bradley’s absence, the teams frontcourt players have consistently failed to grab important rebounds. 

The shortcoming on the glass leaves the Celtics with a void to fill at Thusday’s NBA trade deadline. The Celtics have an abundance of tradable assets to offer up, including young promising players and the rights to the Brooklyn Nets first round picks in the 2017 and 2018 drafts. However, General Manager Danny Ainge has been reluctant to pull the trigger on a trade that would relinquish these valuable assets in the past, and he has made it clear once again that he will only do so if he thinks the trade will significantly increase the Celtics chances at a championship run. It is impossible to be sure of who is really available on the trade market, but two All-Star players that The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the Celtics may pursue are Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls and Paul George of the Indiana Pacers. Although these players would not be likely to help the team with their rebounding woes, they are the type of big names that could take Boston to the next level if they are acquired at the right price. 

If the front office opts to hold keep the team in tact and wait until June to improve the team through the draft, the Celtics are still poised to make a legitimate run at the first seed in the Eastern Conference. With Kevin Love expected to miss six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to his left knee, the first seeded Cleveland Cavaliers could have some trouble creating separation from Boston, who enters All-Star weekend just three games behind Cleveland in the standings. Even if the Celtics do ascend to the top of the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers would still be highly favored to represent the Eastern Conference in the finals. Although the Celtics have found a star in Thomas, Cleveland has three perennial All-Stars in Love, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James, all of which are coming off of an NBA championship in 2016. James has been to six NBA finals in a row, and his teams always find a way to turn it up in the playoffs. Boston is trending in the right direction, but is still a team that is unestablished in the playoffs. The Celtics have not made it out of the first round since 2012, and Avery Bradley is the only remaining player on the roster from that team. They have made the playoffs in the past two seasons, but were bounced by the Cavaliers in 2015 and the Atlanta Hawks in 2016. If the Celtics can stay healthy, it is likely that they will build on that playoff experience and see better results this time around, but what they decide to do at the trade deadline will likely dictate if they are a legitimate championship contender.

Celtics come up short once again in Atlanta

                                                     (Photo courtesy of usatoday.com)

Here's something that we have heard before; The Celtics came up short last night in Atlanta. The Hawks put together a huge third quarter, and cruised through the rest of the game on their way to a 110-83 win in game five of the first round. The loss extended the Celtics losing streak in Atlanta to seven games

So, why can't the Celtics win in Atlanta? Celtics fans should not be all that worried about this streak, considering it dates back to last season, so half of it is irrelevant. The last three games should definitely concern them, though. Other than game one, the Celtics have looked completely outmatched when they have played in Atlanta during this series. However, the Celtics had the upper hand when the two teams played in Boston for game three and game four.

I don't think this is as much about the Atlanta crowd being too much to handle as it is Boston just struggling on the road. Atlanta's fan base doesn't exactly have a reputation of being one of the more rowdy crowds. The real problem is that the Celtics are just not built as a team that can win games on the road in the playoffs. They have a lot of streaky shooters like Marcus Smart, Jonas Jerebko, and Jae Crowder. Those type of players typically perform better at home than away. Isaiah Thomas was amongst the league leaders in free throws attempted during the regular season. He is not going to get as many calls to go his way in another teams building during the playoffs.

If the Celtics want to win the series, they will have to win at least one in Atlanta. The Celtics have a must win in Boston on Thursday night, and would return to Atlanta for game seven if necessary.

Celtics head to Atlanta in 2-2 series tie

                                                    (Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com)

Things did not look good for the Boston Celtics when they left Atlanta down 2-0 after two poor offensive performance against the Hawks. Many had counted the Celtics out, considering that this is basically the same roster that got swept out of the first round of last years playoffs.

Things changed significantly in the past week though, as the Celtics notched wins in two close games at home and now will head back to Atlanta with the series tied at 2-2. It appears as if this series is just getting started. Like the old saying goes, a series doesn't really get started until one team steals a win on the other teams home court. The Celtics will look to do that in game five, after gaining momentum over the past two games.

Despite that momentum, it is hard to ignore how dismal the Celtics offense looked during the first two games of the series in Atlanta. The Celtics will have to get over that slump and win at least one on the road in order to win the series. After game five in Atlanta, the teams will fly back to Boston for game six. If necessary, the seventh and final game of the series will be played in Atlanta.

How can the Celtics get back in the series?

                                                   (Photo courtesy of hoops habit.com)

The Boston Celtics have looked completely outmatched in the first two games of their first round series against the Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics came out slow in game one, but were able to come back and make the game close before falling in a 102-101 loss. The Celtics once again came out to a slow start in game two, but were not able to bounce back like they did in game one and eventually lost 72-89 in a lopsided game.

Surely, the absence of Avery Bradley has effected this team. Still, Bradley is not a superstar scorer, so the Celtics offensive lull is still viewed as unacceptable by many. The burden will now fall on the rotation of Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, and R.J. Hunter to produce in Bradley's absence. The trio did not perform well in game two.

Smart brings great defensive intensity to the Celtics, but defense is not what the team is lacking at this point in the season. Smart shot the lowest shooting percentage amongst all qualifying players this year. He is aggressive on offense, but is a streaky scorer that can not always be depended on.

Rozier is similar to Smart. His jump shot is a little better than Smart's at times, but he is not as skilled at getting to the rim aggressively. He is a decent defensive player, but is not on the level of Smart. Still, Rozier had an impressive, scrappy performance in game two and should expect to see more minutes in game three.

Hunter will most likely be the odd man out. He has a better three point stroke than Smart and Rozier, but can be a liability on the defensive end of the court. Look for him to play a limited role, but still hit some important shots in game three

Also keep an eye on Jae Crowder. He has had a career year thus far, but has struggled greatly since coming back from his high ankle sprain. Some offensive production from Crowder could help the Celtics compete.

Celtics return to Boston in 0-2 hole

                                       (Photo courtesy of dirtywatersports.sportsblog.com)

The Boston Celtics dug themselves a very deep hole when they dropped game two of the first round to the Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics are now down 0-2 in the series, but should get a boost from playing in front of their home fans. Still, things do not look good at all for the Celtics going forward in the series.

One major reoccurring theme for the Celtics in recent games has been their slow starts. The Celtics have scored 65 points combined in the first half of their first two playoff games. The Celtics were only able to produce 9 points in the first quarter. The team often looked like they had no idea what they were doing on offense.

Injuries have not helped the Celtics cause either. Kelly Olynyk missed game two with a shoulder injury, and Avery Bradley is expected to miss the rest of the series with a hamstring injury that took him out of game one.

Playing in front of the Celtics faithful at TD Garden should help energize the Celtics in the next two games, but even that may not be enough to push the Celtics past the Hawks in this first round series.

Playoff preview

                                              (Photo courtesy of thesportsfanjournal.com)

With the regular season in the books, the fun is just beginning. The Celtics have put themselves in position to be a part of that fun again this year, clinching the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. They are hoping to have a little bit more fun than last year, when they were swept in the first round by the eventual Eastern Conference champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Celtics first round matchup will be against the fourth seeded Atlanta Hawks. Despite the higher seeding, the Hawks ended the season with the same 48-34 record as the Celtics. Atlanta has taken a step back this year after landing the first seed in last years playoffs and advancing to the Eastern Conference finals before also losing to Cleveland. I expect this to be a very tightly contested series, with Celtics coming out on top due to elite coaching and scrappy play.

If the Celtics are able to squeak past the Hawks and advance to the second round, the Cavaliers will likely be their waiting for them. Cleveland takes on the Detroit Pistons in the first round, and should not have a hard time with them. It's safe to say that the Celtics do not stand a legitimate chance against Cleveland, but I have been wrong before. In this case, I'd rather be wrong than right. The Celtics were able to pull out a win in one of their three games against the Cavaliers this year. However, LeBron James is a different beast come playoff time. My prediction for this series would be Cavaliers in 5, maybe 6 games if the Celtics are lucky.

If the Celtics somehow find a way past the Cavaliers (they won't), they would most likely take on the Toronto Raptors or Miami Heat. It would most likely be the Raptors, and I can't see the Celtics beating them either. The Celtics would be the favorites if they faced the Heat, however. Boston won all three games against Miami this year.

If a miracle occurs and the Celtics make it to the NBA finals, they would likely take on the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs. No chance. Not even going to talk about it.

Celtics make epic comeback in win over the Heat

                                                       (Photo courtesy of espn.go.com)

The Boston Celtics battled back from a 26 point deficit on Thursday night to defeat the Miami Heat 98-88 in the final game of the regular season for both teams. The comeback was the largest comeback in any game during this NBA season.

The Celtics trailed by 24 when they entered the locker room at halftime. The Celtics were honoring members of the 1966, 1976, and 1986 championship teams during halftime, so Head Coach Brad Stevens said that he used that as motivation for his players.

"Who do we want to be?" said Stevens, "There are guys sitting around this building that hung banners. Like, how do you want to play? How do we want to feel about ourselves? And we just looked different after that."

The key to the comeback was the Celtics stifling second half defense. Miami seemingly hit every shot in the first half, but couldn't buy a bucket in the third quarter as they could only come up with 5 points in the quarter. The Celtics built on this momentum and were able to take the lead midway through the fourth.

Although this game was overshadowed by the late games that saw Kobe Bryant score 60 point in his final game and the Warriors win their NBA record 73rd game of the season, it was still a classic comeback. Despite the win, the Celtics will still be the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.