Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Thanksgiving: What Every Team Has To Be Thankful For, Part 1

By Gerald Bourguet

November 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates against the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 133-120. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates against the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 133-120. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 16
Next
NBA
Nov 6, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics: Staying Over .500

The Boston Celtics have a lot to be thankful for, including the incoming Brooklyn pick, Isaiah Thomas being on pace to set a franchise single-season record for points per game among guards, and Avery Bradley somehow becoming a double-double machine overnight.

But for a team that’s already seen Jae Crowder and Al Horford miss a combined 17 games, Brad Stevens and company should just be glad they were able to hover just above .500 until two of their best three defenders were available to return.

A projected top-five defense, the Celtics have a long way to go to improve their 16th-ranked defense. But if Horford’s go-ahead basket and game-saving block in his return to action in Detroit were any indication, Boston is a completely different team with those two players on the floor. Now it’s just a matter of climbing back near the top of the East as expected.