3 reasons why Boston Celtics will take down Brooklyn Nets in first round

3 reasons why Boston Celtics will take down Brooklyn Nets in first round: 1. Defensive efficiency

Initially, we can’t underestimate the fact that the Boston Celtics have the best overall defense in the NBA. Keep in mind that Boston holds the top defensive rating in the league at 106.2, per NBA.com/stats. In addition, they held opponents to a league-best 43.4 percent shooting from the floor during the regular season.

The Celtics ranked second in the league in blocks with 5.8 per game and only allow 42.5 points in the paint per game, which also ranks second. Breakout forward Robert Williams, who will likely be out for the series due to a torn meniscus injury, was a major part of their elite success defending the interior. But even without his presence, Boston should still be a menace to break down defensively.

They’re exceptional at protecting the rim, forcing tough, contested shots, and making teams uncomfortable with balanced versatility, toughness, grit, and togetherness. Udoka and his coaching staff have done a fascinating job orchestrating the defensive schemes that have become the league’s top-rated in his first season at the realm.

Boston had five players in the top 20 for Defensive Win Shares this season, according to Basketball-Reference: Jayson Tatum (1st), Robert Williams (5th), Al Horford (6th), Marcus Smart (12th), and Jaylen Brown (15th). Overall, the advanced statistics from this Celtics group have been very impressive.

Marcus Smart, a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, is one of the most reliable and versatile defenders in the league. He shows how impactful his defensive prowess can be each night, and there’s a reason why he’s pretty much a lock to make First Team All-Defense this season. If there’s one guy that you can count on to limit the impact of a superstar guard as talented as Kyrie Irving moving forward, it’s Marcus Smart for the Celtics.

Jayson Tatum usually steals the headlines for his world-class offensive skill set, but his defensive abilities are extremely undervalued, and it’s been a large factor in Boston’s dominance on that end of the floor. Tatum’s versatility, awareness, and defensive IQ will be on full display against Kevin Durant and the Nets.

Al Horford has been the defensive anchor that the Celtics have relied on him to be in his return while Daniel Theis and Grant Williams continue to provide value in the frontcourt defensively as well.

Derrick White, who was acquired from San Antonio before this year’s trade deadline, can be an impactful factor with his length and anticipation alongside Smart and Jaylen Brown in the backcourt, so the Celtics have depth and few weaknesses defensively.

The Nets shot 53.8 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from 3-point land, yet still found themselves on the losing end. They aren’t likely to shoot that well again, especially against a superior defense like Boston’s.

Despite Brooklyn’s masterful offense surrounded by two of the best scorers in the world, the Boston Celtics have the personnel within its top-rated team defense to carry them over the top in this first-round series.