Chowder and Champions
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Boston Celtics: 3 wishes for the holiday season

By Jason Haskins

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 12: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics smiles during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on December 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 12: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics smiles during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on December 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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) /
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Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Staying healthy

Grinding out 82 games, plus a championship run, is always going to have players get nicked up along the way. The key is keeping these injuries to a minimum and hoping they don’t happen to a team’s star players.

The Boston Celtics have already been bitten by the injury-bug early in 2019-20 and the holiday wish is that the worst of it is behind us.

Gordon Hayward is the biggest injury to date. A injury to his hand had Hayward missing exactly a month. He was playing well early, scoring 20 or more points in four games, including a 39-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers; a game in which he shot 17 of 20 from the field.

In three games since his return, Hayward is averaging 14 points and 29.3 minutes per game. But he’s shooting 55.9 percent from the floor and should find the early-season flow once again.

Marcus Smart is another player to keep an eye on. He’s missed four out the last five games. While rest is good for the team’s most important defender, Smart missing an extended time would not bode well for the Celtics.

Staying a relatively healthy has been a plus thus far for the Boston Celtics. And will be integral as we head to the cold winter months.

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