By Jordan Long
The Boston Celtics are 9-2 to start the NBA season, number one in all the Eastern Conference. They take on the L.A. Lakers tonight as they look to extend their winning streak to 10 games.
Boston’s first game was a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-99. In the game, Celtics’ small forward Gordon Hayward was lost for the year with a dislocated ankle and fractured tibia. The Celtics dropped their next game to the Milwaukee Bucks 108-100. Boston finally has played better basketball which has been the reason for the early success.
The Celtics are playing well on the offensive end. They are scoring 103.5 points per game. They are working the ball around the court and finding the open shooter. When they do, it creates easy buckets for Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, and Al Horford. Irving leads the team with 22.3 points per game. On the defensive side, they are playing tough defense which makes it difficult for teams to score. Opponents are working for their points but are only scoring 94.5 points per game. That ranks number 1 in the NBA on defense. Boston isn’t turning the ball over with 13.1 turnovers per game.
The Celtics are doing a decent job rebounding on the offensive end. When they are able to box out, that creates second chance opportunities. Those help the Celtics not only hold onto the ball to take more time off the clock, but will put more points on the scoreboard. That is the difference in the basketball games.
Boston needs to work on their free throw shooting. When a Celtic is fouled they aren’t making the free throws with a make percentage of 76%. Opposing teams could foul them and send them to the line. Those misses can lead to defensive rebounds. Head Coach Brad Stevens needs to work with the team in practice so that percentage goes up. Those might be the difference in a win or a loss.
The Celtics have a respectable start to the year. There are 71 games left in the season. Boston can still improve and be a dangerous team when the postseason comes, maybe even one that will make a deep run. Hopefully this start will boost them for the rest of the season.
What do you think of the Boston Celtics start to the season?
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