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Boston Celtics: 5 keys to winning the East in 2019

By Tony Pesta

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 10: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Jayson Tatum #0 against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 10, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 10: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Jayson Tatum #0 against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 10, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

2. Bench production

The Boston Celtics have been advertised as the “deepest team in the league,” so it’s time they prove it.

Having a strong bench is an important factor in building a championship-contending team. The Celtics have plenty of talent playing for their second unit. Gordon Hayward would likely start for most other NBA teams, while Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown and Aron Baynes are all valuable players.

The Celtics rank 10th in the league for bench points at 39.1 per game. Brown leads the way for bench scoring with 12.8 a game. This is good, but it could definitely be better.

In all honesty, Boston will need Hayward to play up to expectations. It is possible that his horrifying leg injury from last year is still affecting him, but his production will be crucial to the Celtics’ success. Boston has a perfect 4-0 record when Hayward scores 20 or more points, and is 13-2 when he scores at least 15.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1103299234609201152

Hayward is averaging only 11.0 points per game, the lowest average since his rookie season. He has had a fall from grace this year, but there is still hope for him. Finding a comfortable spot off the bench is all he needs to become a deadly scorer once again.

If Hayward and the rest of the Celtics bench figure out a way to be productive together, Boston will be a truly scary team. Not many squads in the league are capable of matching this team’s depth.

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