How will a talented Brooklyn offense handle a Boston team that prides themselves on great defense?
Boston did not start the season strong. At one point this season they were the 29th worst defense in the NBA. A flip switched in their locker room and the season drastically shifted for them. The Celtics ranked first in points allowed and have the number one defensive rating.
Three out of the five starters on Boston averaged at least 1.0 steals per game for the entire season. The Celtics play a smothering brand of defense that the Nets are going to have some trouble with. In the last 34 games of the regular season, Boston gave up less than 100 points, 15 times.
The average NBA team scores about 112.4 points per game. Holding a team to less than 100 points really speaks to the level of intensity that Boston plays with on defense. Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown both offer unique length and size to their positions. Both of them are extremely polished on both ends of the floor.
The Celtics’ best defensive stopper is non-other than Marcus Smart. He’s earned All-Defensive first team two times in his career and led the team in steals per game this season with 1.7 per. Boston will be without center Robert Williams for at least the first round. He leads the teams in blocks per game, and he could help the Celtics out if they make it to the second round.