Boston Celtics: Three Players Key to Playoff Run
The NBA playoffs are creeping ever closer and the Boston Celtics are saving some of their best team basketball for last as they prime themselves for what is hopefully a deep playoff run.
The Celtics won their fourth straight on Friday night, dismantling the Milwaukee Bucks 124-109. With the victory, the Celtics (47-32) remained tied for third-place in the Eastern Conference with the Atlanta Hawks.
Per the usual, Isaiah Thomas led the way with 20 points, marking the 18th straight game he’s scored 20 or more.
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The play of Thomas, without question, will be a major factor in determining how far the Celtics will go in the playoffs this season. He has unquestionably been deserving of his All-Star selection and is even beginning to garner All-NBA attention.
Thomas, though, is only one man. A motley crew of teammates have spent the season carving out their niche, with contributions coming from the entire roster at various points. While the supporting cast will all need to step up, it will be the play of Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Amir Johnson that will help decide just how far this team goes into the playoffs.
Avery Bradley
The second-leading scorer on the team, Bradley has taken his game to another level this season.
He is averaging 15.1 points per game, four higher than his career average. Bradley has proven adequate at creating his own shot, even though he is much better in the mid-range game when getting the opportunity to shoot off a pass.
Though his scoring will be needed in the playoffs, it is on the defensive end in which his talents will appreciated. Bradley has notched up his play as of late, hounding Stephen Curry into a wide array of turnovers in last Friday’s win at Golden State.
He’s averaging 1.6 steals per game, and his perimeter defense isn’t going unnoticed, as Damian Lillard praised Bradley’s defense just last weekend.
In the guard heavy Eastern Conference, Bradley’s defense will need to be a the top of its game if the Celtics are to advance past the first round.
Jae Crowder
Nearly a week after returning from injury, Crowder is still rounding back into game shape for the Celtics.
He did score 22 points to go along with five steals against the Lakers last Sunday, but at times he does seem to be a bit winded on the court. Completely understandable after not playing for a few weeks and he should be good to go in playing a lot of minutes down the stretch.
Crowder is enjoying his finest season as a pro, scoring 14.5 points per game while averaging 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest.
While his numbers on the offensive end impress, it is Crowder’s versatility that gives the Celtics their biggest defensive asset. Crowder has been assigned both guards and forwards this year, always up to the challenge to try and shut down the opposing team’s best player.
Amir Johnson
In the slog that can sometimes be the NBA playoffs, the best teams often have a strong inside player on the defensive end that help leads them to a championship.
Johnson might be that man for the Celtics.
His numbers aren’t flashy, but he is providing the Celtics they didn’t have in last season’s playoffs: a big man. That’s not to say Jared Sullinger is a slouch–he’s a rebounding machine– but Johnson gives the Celtics a shot-blocking presence to help clog the lane.
Johnson is averaging 1.1 blocks per game. Not only that, the forward has stepped up his play over the last ten games. During that span, Johnson is averaging 8.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
This type of play will need to continue for the Celtics to find success this April (and beyond).
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Boston took the first step by securing a playoff berth in their victory over the Lakers last Sunday. They are still jockeying for seeding, as these last three games can find the Celtics finishing anywhere from third to sixth. Win out and a third seed is in their future, meaning home court advantage in the first round and a possibly second round meeting with the Toronto Raptors.
Saturday is the another step towards that future, as the Celtics travel to Atlanta to take on the Hawks, with tip-off slated for 7:30 pm (EST).