/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71717330/1245402122.0.jpg)
The Boston Celtics may only have one thing left to figure out in their already impressive season.
Coming off of two straight losses to the Orlando Magic, some NBA fans have their eyebrows raised at the (22-9) C’s. Now sitting second in the eastern conference behind the Bucks, the Celtics have shown their weakness–interior defense.
Robert Williams III made his season debut last game playing 18 minutes putting up 6 points and 5 rebounds. Al Horford finally made his reappearance after missing a few games due to injury. So it’s possible that the Celtics have gained back their inside presence. However, we’ve still yet to see all the bigs fully healthy.
Grant Williams and Blake Griffin have both been playing the replacement big up this point. Both guys have the ability to guard small forwards on the perimeter, while also defending the block. However, both Griffin and G. Williams are undersized.
The Celtics are statistically the best defensive team in the NBA right now. But most of that is from their ability to guard the outside shot. So instead of letting three balls fly from their opponents, they allow 2 points and free throws on their defensive possessions.
Nonetheless, with Time Lord back in the lineup and Horford getting back in the rotation, the Celtics are gearing up for another winning streak. Jayson Tatum has been battling injury recently, but his MVP-caliber start to the season makes up for it.
It’ll be interesting to see how Joe Mazzulla mixes in his players minutes as he now has all of his talent ready to go.