The Boston Celtics escaped with a statement victory over the Phoenix Suns after an embarrassing start to the game. Each of these three reasons is key in helping turn around what has been by far one of the worst starts for this squad. The C’s will be turning things around soon and looking like themselves again.
The “clippers out of playoffs” is a result that the Celtics have been waiting for. They are 3 reasons why they will turn things around after their statement victory over the Suns.
The Boston Celtics had a rough December, finishing with a 6-9 record as the year came to a close in 2021. All of their opponents were above.500 in December, but the Celtics have recently suffered humiliating defeats to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Clippers. It seemed that Chris Paul or Devin Booker would simply lead their squad to another easy win as they hosted their last match against the Phoenix Suns in the early afternoon.
Despite the fact that Boston was still without Jayson Tatum for his pivotal showdown against the Suns, the Celtics won 123-108. They led by double digits throughout the entirety of the game, with a second-quarter lead of up to 30 points. The Suns trimmed the lead in half in the second half, but Boston was able to show that they could win a game against a tough opponent.
Here are three reasons why this victory was a watershed moment for the Celtics.
On 45 baskets, there were 28 assists.
The Celtics boast two of the best scorers in the league in Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but their lineup has been critiqued as being too iso-heavy. This was particularly evident in the fourth quarter, but it was an outstanding game plan for head coach Ime Udoka to instill in his players the importance of being unselfish in such an important game.
Given that Tatum is about to return in a few days, it would be astonishing if the ball fizzled any more for the Beantown Boys in the second half of the season. There’s no doubt that Boston has the potential to challenge for a top-six place in the Eastern Conference, but their problems have sprung from a lack of consistency and chemistry. It was fantastic to see the aforementioned team synergy in action against a Suns team that seemed to be struggling defensively.
Role players are rising up to the plate.
Brad Stevens, as President of Basketball Operations, strengthened the team’s depth by bringing in players like as Al Horford, Josh Richardson, and Dennis Schroder. These three additions, as well as their young players Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams III, have been inconsistent. All of these players, with the exception of Schroder (who was unable to play), were outstanding against the Suns.
Inconsistency has been a persistent issue, but seeing them all play at a good level against the Association’s second-best club is a huge step forward for Udoka. When everyone is healthy, the Celtics must allow Udoka the opportunity to experiment with lineups in order for him to determine the best combinations to use for the remainder of the season. With an easier January schedule and the likelihood of finally having a full roster shortly, Boston has reason to be optimistic.
Their calling card must be defense.
When Udoka was given the job of leading the Celtics, it was assumed that he would instill a defensive-minded mentality. Their offseason changes and current roster structure give them greater versatility and agility. The Celtics were formerly ranked first in the league in terms of defensive rating, but they are now ranked ninth.
Booker and Paul only shot 13 of 41 from the field in their previous game, which was emphasized by the outstanding team defense and Udoka’s strategies. As the Celtics exploited their size on the block, Williams III provided enormous rim protection with five blocked shots. In Tatum and Brown, Boston has two terrific shot creators, but it is their defense that might set them apart from the other star duos in the NBA.
Four of Boston’s next five games are at home, making it a smart strategy for them to establish their groove and improve their East seeding. This triumph must give them with the motivation and assurance that their early setbacks are only a blip on the radar. The Celtics are not far behind the conference’s other top six teams, but they must improve their defensive play in order to get more success and chances on the offensive end.
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The “nba beverly” is a blog that discusses the NBA. The 3 reasons why the Celtics will turn things around after their statement victory over the Phoenix Suns.
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