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NBA: 10 takeaways from the first quarter of the 2017-18 season

By Evan Dyal

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts in front of Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks after hitting a three point shot during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on October 24, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 110-89. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts in front of Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks after hitting a three point shot during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on October 24, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 110-89. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 18: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on October 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 108-100. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 18: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on October 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 108-100. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Boston’s suffocating defense

You all know the story. Gordon Hayward goes down with a devastating leg injury five minutes into the game, Boston lost its first two games and now has reeled off 16 straight wins.

The key during that stretch has been their super switch-y – and elite – defense.

Boston is enormous across the line. Marcus Morris has been a huge addition, and him alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum is ridiculous. All three can play positions 2 through 4, and they can switch everything on defense.

The captain of the ship though is Al Horford. Horford has been lights out on both ends; he should be an all-star and first team all-defense. The four of them can make up for Kyrie on defense, and even he is looking better this year. Plus, they are getting contributions from players people never heard of a few weeks ago. Rookies Daniel Theis and Semi Ojeleye have brought toughness and physicality; Aron Baynes has helped Boston’s rebounding problem.

Gone is the Boston that got pushed around by Robin Lopez in the first round of the playoffs last year. They are tougher, more physical and more in sync across the board.

Remember last year when they couldn’t rebound? Now, they are first in defensive rebounding. Teams effective field goal percentage is only 48 percent vs Boston, the best mark in the league. They are doing it by taking away 3-pointers. Enemy snipers are just shooting 33 percent on triples against the Celtics, and they allow the fewest corner 3 attempts in the league. Boston is 8th in the league in field goal percentage at the rim, according to Cleaningtheglass.com.

They are protecting the rim, taking away 3’s and protecting the glass en route to the NBA’s best defense.

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