Boston Celtics: C’s Getting It Done With Defense
In the past, the Boston Celtics have certainly not been known for their defense. Under coach Brad Stevens, the Celtics finished 20th in the league in defensive efficiency in his first season, and then last year the team was tied for 12th, which was a big improvement. This season so far, the Celtics have posted a defensive rating of 97.1, which is 4th in the NBA. Boston is also only allowing 96.0 PPG, and the team has played against some of the better offensive teams in the NBA like Oklahoma City (averages 110.5 PPG), Washington (averages 103.0 PPG), Atlanta (averages 102.8 PPG), and San Antonio (averages 102.3 PPG).
Boston is now 5-4, and they have won four of their last five games, and the team has not been fully healthy during this winning stretch. Marcus Smart was out for a couple games, and Avery Bradley missed a couple games, both players are arguably the best defenders on the team.
In their last game against Oklahoma City, Boston’s impressive defense was on full display. They held the Thunder to 85 points, and the team shot 36.4 percent from the field. The Celtics kept Russell Westbrook in check as well, as he did score 27 points, but he got 15 of his points from the free-throw line. The Celtics held Westbrook to only five field goals, as he shot 5-for-20 from the field and 2-for-10 from deep. Boston has held opponents to shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from downtown for the season.
The Celtics are a much better defensive team this year, so what has changed?
Lockdown defense
The Celtics added one big-time frontcourt defensive player this offseason in Amir Johnson, who has shown that he can protect the rim. Per 100 possessions, Johnson is averaging 2.6 BPG and 12.6 RPG — he helps by protecting the rim and cleaning up on the glass. Johnson has 11 total blocks on the year.
Another key defender for Boston is Jae Crowder. He is posting a defensive rating of 92 per 100 possessions, and he is leading the league with 3.11 SPG. Crowder’s numbers have been great on defense this year, and when him, Marcus Smart, and Avery Bradley are on the floor, they do not give up easy baskets and they fight for every loose ball. The Celtics lead the league in steals per game as a team by averaging 11.3.
The Celtics’ defense makes more sense the more I watch it. They’re athletic, active guys, who are buying into the system.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 16, 2015
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Even
Kelly Olynykand
Jared Sullingerwho have not been known for their defense are having career years on the defensive end. Sullinger’s been impressive on defense, with a defensive rating of 91 per 100 possessions. He is leading the team in rebounding by averaging 9.2 RPG. Olynyk has posted a 92 per 100 possession defensive rating. Both players have been really good on both ends of the floor for the Celtics.
Overall
Boston is starting to be recognized as a great defensive team, which is something that people might have laughed at before the season started. They did not make many defensive additions this offseason other than Amir Johnson, but many of the former players have been playing lockdown defense. The team forces a league leading 18.7 turnovers per game, last year they only forced 14.6 turnovers per game.
The defense is playing great, and keeping them in games they have no business being in because their shooting woes are still existent. Boston’s defense is one of the best in the league so far, although it is early, but they are leading the league in many defensive categories.
Boston’s defense is clearly a making a name for themselves this season.