Boston Celtics: Takeaways from Win Over Milwaukee Bucks
By Andrew Fine

Ball thieves
Nov 10, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder guards Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Celtics lead the NBA in steals with 11.7 per game and finished with 11 against the Bucks. Jae Crowder, who is the NBA’s leader in steals per game (3.0), finished tied with Evan Turner with a game-high four thefts.
Crowder and Turner both did an excellent job of positioning themselves on rotations and switches, which led to their eight combined steals.
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What makes Boston’s high number thefts so impressive is that the team is doing it without Marcus Smart, who is one of the best defenders on the team. In Smart’s absence, the Celtics average 12 steals per contest. In three games this season, Smart averages 2.3 thefts. He will only make Boston’s defense better and contribute more steals when he finally returns.