Three reasons why the Boston Celtics started to win again
No. 2 The playmaking of the guards
One of the most significant concerns for the Boston Celtics was how they would use Kemba Walker. After returning from injury in January, Walker did not look like the same player he was a year ago. Walker struggled to drive past players and ended up taking more contested jumpers off the dribble. After a lengthy and frustrating period of trial and error about how to use the ultra-talented Walker, Boston may have figured it out, perhaps the most encouraging result of the last ten games.
Walker has always been a scorer first player throughout his entire career, and so when he came back from his knee recovery, the Celtics assumed he would continue to take that role. However, the results did not seem promising with several low-efficient-high-volume nights. Suddenly, he began to pass much and shoot less.
Before April 2, Walker averaged 50.3 passes, 4.8 assists, and 11.7 points created off of assists per game. Since then, Walker has averaged 57.7 passes per game, 6.2 assists, and 16.3 points created off assists per night. In terms of shooting, Walker shot 15.7 shots a game before April 2, making 39.5 percent of them, and afterward shot 13.8 shots a game on 46.0 percent shooting. In his new role, Walker has impacted the game in so many more ways and made the Celtics much more efficient. He may never be the same player again, but he has shown that he can quickly adjust and always make the Celtics better.
Marcus Smart showed in the playoffs that he could be the number one playmaking option if need be, but it was unclear if he really could continue to prove that was the case. Against the Houston Rockets, Smart had his third double-digit assist game of the season.
Out of the last eleven games, Smart played 10, winning nine of them. In the one game where Smart had fewer than four assists, the Celtics won. His passing has allowed the Celtics offense to get more open shots this season, and though he is known for his scrappy defense, his playmaking won games for Boston this season.
Smart and Walker’s promise in the passing game could elevate the play of the entire team. The Celtics may not be able to keep up the win streak, but if Smart and Walker play like they have this month, it will be hard to beat Boston.