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Boston Celtics: Glaring weaknesses take center stage

By Jason Haskins

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics directs his team during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 23, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics directs his team during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 23, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Overcoming obstacles big and small, in ill-health and injuries, plus mediocre play and overall lapses, is a good measure of a team’s mental fortitude. These are all areas the Boston Celtics have had experience with in the 2020-21 season.

The Celtics have been pushed to their limits and shown moments of individual and team greatness. Enough so that there is still great hope this team can make a deep playoff run.

A 1-2 record this past week — fresh off a six-game winning streak — indicates Boston has plenty of work to do. First of which involves getting the team healthy and at full-strength.

A healthy Boston team can be one of the best in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, between illness, health and safety protocols, and injuries, last week a tipping point was reached. It began with a loss to a team Boston should have defeated, followed by a surprising win over one of the Western Conference’s top teams. Action this week ended in a game the Celtics once again found themselves digging out of a deep hole only to come short as firepower ran dry.

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The Chicago Bulls game witnessed three starters and a key bench player sitting out for Boston. A loss, while damaging, can be slightly excused.

Three starters were also out against the Brooklyn Nets, who were also missing two stars of their own. Despite a low-scoring game from Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving, Boston wasn’t able to stop Irving’s supporting cast in losing by five.

A victory over the Suns, however, proved the Celtics can get around these obstacles and also play outstanding defense. Boston held the Suns to 6-35 from three-point range in a 99-86 victory.

Boston Celtics: Figuring out their faults

Twelve games remain for Boston, who has fallen to sixth-place in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games behind the New York Knicks for fourth-place. In avoiding the play-in tournament, Boston needs to figure out some things quickly.

Turnovers were a problem that Boston couldn’t overcome last week. The team averaged just over 18 per game, 4.5 over their season average. And it’s not necessarily because of good defense by opponents, as Boston last night alone had lazy passes, slow pick-and-rolls, and even a pass to the corner where no teammates stood.

This led to easy transition points for the Nets. Too many times it wasn’t a straight fast break, either, as Boston seemed to lose communication in getting back on defense. All told, it was a 32-3 advantage by Brooklyn in fast break points.

With the key players out for Boston, the depth is really being tested, despite a player hoisting this team on his shoulders.

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