You can’t beat it when you have good role players and play good team defense. And, right now, teams can’t beat the Celtics.
The Boston Celtics, winners of twelve games in a row, beat the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors Thursday night, 92-88.
After losing Gordon Hayward, many fans questioned whether the Celtics would be successful. Even I concluded that they would move from contenders to pretenders.
But the Celtics currently have the best record in the NBA at 14-2 and they’ve won several of those games in spectacular fashion. That includes big come-from-behind wins against the Thunder, Hornets, and Warriors.
How are these comeback kids being so successful despite losing their second-best player?
Let’s start by giving credit to the defense. In their last 14 games, the defense has given up on average 92.6 PPG–an incredible number in today’s fast-paced NBA.
Another factor is role players. Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, and even Jayson Tatum have contributed significantly. Over the last 14 games, Horford is averaging 16.2 ppg and 9.4 rpg, including 6 double-doubles. He had 8 DDs last year.
Jaylen Brown has averaged 14.2 ppg 6.9 ppg during the win streak. Tatum, a rookie, is averaging 14.3 ppg on 51% shooting from the field.
Such productivity makes it easy for Kyrie Irving–knowing that he has three guys averaging 14+ ppg. And, since returning from injury, Marcus Morris has added 13.4 ppg.
You can’t beat it when you have good role players and play good team defense. And, right now, teams can’t beat the Celtics.
