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Boston Celtics on second three-game losing streak to start 2020

By Justin Trombino

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 18: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics looks on from the bench during a game against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on January 18, 2020 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 18: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics looks on from the bench during a game against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on January 18, 2020 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics are currently on their second three-game losing streak in the month of January.

In the beginning of the month, the Boston Celtics lost consecutive games against the Washington Wizards (99-94), San Antonio Spurs (129-114), and the Philadelphia 76ers (109-98). And just over this past week, the Boston Celtics have now dropped games against the Detroit Pistons (116-103), Milwaukee Bucks (128-123), and the Phoenix Suns (123-119).

One of the biggest flaws this season has been the lack of consistency within the Boston Celtics themselves, both on offense and defense. We’ve been noticing how some night’s the team is hot and on point, but the next night they could be cold and off target.

It’s noted this is not solely on their most recent lost to the Phoenix Suns, but Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said after the Suns game that his team is not completing the entirety of a full possession.

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"“Every single angle you take on a pick-and-roll, how much you get into the body, how much do you chase, when do you switch, how high are you as a big, when do you step back, how you guard the down-screen, do you trail it? Do you go under it? Do you meet them on a catch? What do you do?”“I mean, there’s 50 things to do on a possession. Right now we’re doing about 46 on our best ones, and we need to do 50.” – Brad Stevens, per A Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston"

On the defensive end there is just no passion, energy, or effort being displayed right now. During the aforementioned second three-game losing streak this month, the Boston Celtics have allowed opponents to connect on 41 three-pointers primarily at will due to the lack of perimeter defense.

"“We just got to understand that we’re going to have nights where we don’t shoot the ball well but we can’t have nights where we just don’t bring it on the defensive end.” – Marcus Smart, per A Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston"

Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter have been great down low for the most part of the season, but they’re getting beaten up hard every night. With Robert Williams still injured and Vincent Poirier not even in the game plans, the Boston Celtics are risking running Theis and Kanter into the ground.

This past weekend Boston Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens altered his lineup and gave Grant Williams the start on Saturday night with Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker not available to play against the Phoenix Suns.

Although Williams is very smart and instinctive on the court, he didn’t provide anything extraordinarily productive in his first career start to help the Celtics overcome the Suns. Williams would go on to play the second least minutes (13), score zero points, and committed three fouls.

Another player who should be expecting more playing time (and even the occasional start) is Javonte Green. On top of his incredible explosiveness, Green has shown to be both productive and reliable on the court this season.

In the C’s last three games, Green has totals of 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists as complementary role player near the end of games. With more playing time and confidence under his belt, Green is going to start becoming more important and valuable to the Boston Celtics.

Boston Celtics: Brad Stevens has special plan for hectic January. dark. Next

Maybe another lineup change is necessary for the Boston Celtics as they move forward during this tiring month of January and towards the second half of the season. Sliding a more confident scorer into the second unit could turn out to be beneficial for the team.

As the season is continuing to progress with the same obvious issues, what else can the Boston Celtics do to overcome their most recent losing slumps and inconsistencies?

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