Five reasons the Boston Celtics have stormed back and won three straight games
The Boston Celtics not only won their first home playoff game this season, they were the first home team this series to win. After being down 0-2, the Celtics didn’t panic, and now lead the series 3-2 heading back to Chicago.
Now, some may claim this resurgence from the Celtics is only due do Bulls PG Rajon Rondo being out. The Bulls won both games in Boston with Rondo, without him they have dropped three straight to the Celtics.
Injuries are apart of every sport, but a lot of people argue that the NBA Playoffs is affected by this more than other sports.
So Rondo being out for the Bulls isn’t the reason the Celtics have won three straight. They have played calmer and smarter, here are five reasons the Boston Celtics won game 5.
The Celtic’s have won three straight since the starting lineup changed
In the first two games of the series, this was Boston’s starting lineup.
PG – Isaiah Thomas
SG- Avery Bradley
SF- Jae Crowder
C- Al Horford
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The Celtics lost both games at home with this lineup. But why? This was supposedly Boston’s premier lineup. The main reason this lineup didn’t work was Amir Johnson. Despite his size, Johnson could not match up with Bull Center Robin Lopez.
The Bulls had 20 offensive rebounds in game 1, and 12 offensive rebounds in game 2. So Celtics head coach Brad Stevens decided to switch things up, this has been Boston’s starting lineup since game 3.
- PG – Isaiah Thomas
- SG – Avery Bradley
- SF – Gerald Green
- PF – Jae Crowder
- C – Al Horford
This lineup is 3-0, winning two games in Chicago and then game 5 back in Boston. Gerald Green brought life to the Celtics, and the lineup played well together in all three games. The experienced Al Horford with the help of Jae Crowder have been able to limit Robin Lopez’ offensive boards.
Related Story: Gerald Green Comes Up Big for the Boston Celtics
With Marcus Smart coming off the bench, the Celtics seem to have found their groove. Brad Stevens will most likely continue to roll with this starting group. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Boston showing the NBA teamwork is more valuable than Super Stars
Jimmy Butler, a clutch veteran like Dwayne Wade, or a massive 7’0 Center who dominates the boards. Boston may not have anyone like that, but they do have 6-8 really talented basketball players.
You can look at every playoff team and spot a super star or two, but that isn’t the case in Boston. Yes, Isaiah Thomas was an MVP candidate this season, but being 5’9 comes with limitations. Al Horford signed a max contract this off season, and he’s well worth it, but he isn’t a player who’s going to take over a playoff game. The Celtics don’t have a 2nd gear player, but they’ve put the right pieces in place to just be a great team; without a superstar.
"Avery Bradley (24), Isaiah Thomas (24) and Al Horford (21) each scored more than 20 points in Wednesday’s Game 5 win vs. the Bulls. It’s the first time three Celtics have scored at least 20 points in a playoff game since Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo did so in Game 2 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Heat."
Source: ESPN Stats and Information’s Twitter Page
Celtics using smarter zone defense to shut down Jimmy Butler
Isaiah Thomas was an MVP candidate this season, but being 5’9, he’s very limited on defense. In the first two games of the series, Jimmy Butler took advantage of the much smaller Thomas.
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It was too easy for Butler, even when Thomas wasn’t covering him he would call for the screen and switch to have Thomas defending him. Along with a lineup change, Brad Stevens made a defensive change as well. The Celtic’s focused on keeping Thomas away from Butler on the defensive side of the ball.
Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder would play a sort of zone defense, when Butler called for the pick on Thomas one of them would switch and guard Butler. Smart and Crowder are much better match ups to guard Jimmy Butler. Crowder because of his size, and Smart because he not only plays phenomenal defense but is great at taking charges.
Avery Bradley is leader on defense for the Boston Celtics
Avery Bradley was also a big factor is Boston’s stellar defense. Bradley was awarded NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2016 and NBA All-Defensive second Team in 2013. Despite being 6’2, Bradley has made life difficult for Jimmy Butler.
This new zone defense has worked to perfection, as Jimmy Butler’s FG% has dropped. Through the first two games, Butler FG% was .436 – In the last three games his FG% was .384.
Al Horford is quietly leading the Celtics to a 1st round series win.
Al Horford has been outstanding in his first five playoff games as a Boston Celtic. The 6’10 Center’s stat line doesn’t look like most stat lines for big men.
- 35 MPG – 16 PPG – 9 RPG – 6.4 APG – 1.2 SPG
Horford has stepped up when the Celtics have needed him, scoring on the inside and the ability to shoot the three; Horford is 6-12 from 3PT range this series. Despite playing an average of 35 minutes a game, Horford has only averaged 1.2 personal fouls a game and 1.4 turnovers a game. Horford had a great regular season shooting the ball, but he’s gotten even better in the playoffs.
- Regular Season: .473 FG% – .355 3P% – .800 FT%
- Post-Season: .561 FG% – .500 3P% – .909 FT%
Horford hasn’t been the only one to step up, but his contributions have been the biggest so far. Makes you wonder who will be the next Celtic to step up this postseason.
In games 1 and 2, the Celtics were dominated on the boards. That hasn’t been the case since.
Robin Lopez is the tallest (7’0″) and heaviest (255 lbs) player on either of these teams rosters. But the Celtics didn’t expect him to dominate the offensive glass. His first two games he completely dominated, the Celtics have been able to contain Lopez to an extant in games 3-5.
- Games 1/2: 19 Rebounds – 13 Offensive Rebounds
- Games 3/4/5: 19 Rebounds – 13 Offensive Rebounds
His numbers have clearly dropped, and if the Celtics want to close out the series they need to continue rebounding well. Boston didn’t get to the #1 seed by being a good rebounding team, so they will have to live with usually being out rebounded in the playoffs. As long as they can contain their opponents big men, the Celtics can make a deep run in the playoffs.
Next: Boston Celtics Earn First Home Win of Series as Things Get Testy to Take a 3-2 Lead
If the Boston Celtics continue their effective play in Game 6, they can begin preparing for their second-round matchup.