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Celtics Rewind: Trades, rejuvenated offense and a thunderous comeback

By Jason Haskins

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics is defended by Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on March 24, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics is defended by Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on March 24, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The week began with a Boston Celtics victory, had some late-week trades sprinkled in, and ended with a hobbled roster rocking a fourth-quarter comeback.

All told, the offense (mostly) returned to form while the defense took a step back. A yin and yang effect that has been modus operandi for the Celtics in the 2020-21 season.

It was efforts across the board that propelled the Celtics last week. Five reached doubled figures as Boston knocked down 23 three-pointers in a victory over the Orlando Magic last Sunday. And it was three-point shooting that helped Boston outscore Oklahoma City 35-14 in the fourth quarter to pick up a 111-94 victory to close out the week.

There were nights the Celtics looked like title contenders, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time this season. This victory happened two nights after Boston came back from a 25-point third quarter deficit, only to ultimately lose 121-119. (An effort that hopefully sparks their season going forward.)

True to form, Boston had their frustrating moments, too. An overtime loss to Memphis was tossed into the mix, though the Celtics were without Jayson Tatum (illness), Kemba Walker (knee pain management), and Tristan Thompson (health and safety protocols).

Thompson last played March 14.

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Tatum and Jaylen Brown struggled with their shooting off-and-on throughout the week, though both continued to shine. Brown knocked down 10 threes in route to 34 points against the Magic.

After scoring 34 points on 13-18 from the floor against Milwaukee, Tatum keyed the fourth-quarter comeback against the Thunder. He scored 20 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter.

The spotlight for the week needs to be once again directed at Robert Williams III. Williams was inserted into the starting in the victory over the Bucks, filling up the stat sheet with 7 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 5 blocks.

Williams followed that up with 9 points and 14 rebounds against Oklahoma City.

A 3-2 record on the week left the Celtics again at .500 with a record of 23-23. It was also a week in which Boston welcomed new faces and said good-bye to old.

Boston Celtics jump in the trade game

Jeff Teague, we hardly knew you.

Teague was part of the trade with Orlando that netted the Celtics Magic forward  Evan Fournier. There was hope that Teague would be a valuable player and backup point guard this season. He had games where those attributes shined through but overall, inconsistency and turnovers plagued his contributions.

He did leave Boston on a high note, scoring a total of 41 points in his last two games on 15-19 shooting.

Also saying good-bye to the Celtic green were Daniel Theis and Javonte Green. Theis was in his fourth-season with the Celtics and was somewhat underappreciated in Boston. He was continually getting better every season and had averaged 12.5 points and 7 rebounds in four games prior to being traded to the Chicago Bulls.

Green appeared in 73 games for Boston the last two seasons and joins Theis on the Bulls.

Boston Celtics: the week ahead

The next seven days hold somewhat of a light schedule for the Celtics, with three winnable games on the horizon. Two of these games provide chances for Boston to make up for frustrating losses a little more than a month ago.

Quite possibly the best news is that these are the first of seven straight home games for Boston.

Up first is a rematch with the New Orleans Pelicans (3/29). Boston fell in overtime to New Orleans in their first meeting, blowing a large third quarter lead.

Avenging a loss will also be on the mind when the Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks (3/31).

Boston closes out their slate this upcoming week with a game against the Houston Rockets (4/2). Houston recently ended a 20-game losing streak and lost to the Celtics by 27 on March 14.

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Three victories are entirely possible, even as the Celtics mix in their new acquisitions to the rotation. A hopeful return of Thompson would be a plus as well. There’s time for the Celtics to put together a run. Expectations are still tempered at the moment but there are plenty of encouraging signs to keep the faith going for a little bit longer.

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