Which considerations are actual for Celtics amid their first tough patch? initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Boston
The Boston Celtics have so not often misplaced consecutive video games over the previous 14 months that the primary dropping streak of the 2024-25 season most likely registers increased on the priority meter than it ought to. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that the Celtics, losers of 4 of their final seven, are in a little bit of a uncommon funk.
A wonky schedule, harm woes, and that championship goal on their backs have all contributed to Boston’s first uneven stretch of basketball of the season. Nobody is slamming panic buttons, however with a fierce, road-heavy schedule looming in January, it’s truthful to ponder which areas the Celtics want to wash up faster than others.
The Celtics appeared like a wrecking ball with a 16-3 report by way of the primary 5 weeks of the season. They acquired Kristaps Porzingis again on the finish of that stretch and appeared to search out one other gear in a lopsided win over the Clippers.
However Boston has sputtered a bit since. The C’s stumbled in opposition to East-leading Cleveland in an early-season rematch after Boston ended the Cavs’ season-opening win streak in November. Losses to Chicago, Orlando, and Philadelphia over the previous week will depart the crew taking stock of its missteps.
So what is really cause for concern and what’s only a blip on the radar? Let’s deal with a few of the extra notable points and assign a “concern grade” (1 being the bottom, 10 being the very best):
Porzingis’ well being and manufacturing
When the Celtics hammered the Clippers on November 25 in Porzingis’ season debut, it felt like a glimpse of their full potential with their 7-foot-2 huge man again on the ground.
Boston’s offensive ranking over its first 23 video games was 120.6, second-best within the NBA. During the last seven tilts, that quantity is right down to 113.1. Boston’s internet ranking in Porzingis’ 299 minutes of court docket time is simply +3.1 and spikes to +12.6 in his 325 minutes off the ground.
Some begins and stops haven’t helped anybody discover consistency. Porzingis has tweaked considered one of his ft on three completely different events since returning, together with leaving the Christmas Day sport with soreness in his left ankle after an early stumble.
Boston’s most popular beginning 5 of Porzingis, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Vacation, and Derrick White has a -4 internet ranking in 85 minutes collectively. That features a meager offensive ranking of 110.7. A season in the past, that group was +11 in 623 minutes collectively.
Perhaps it’s a easy as Porzingis getting — and staying — wholesome. However the Celtics merely have not tapped into what made that group so dominant a season in the past. Porzingis was presupposed to be the piece that pushes this group to a different degree; as a substitute it appears like they’ve gone the opposite manner.
Concern Meter: 6. It’s most necessary that Porzingis be wholesome in Might and June, however getting a protracted stretch with all of the items of this core wholesome could be useful now, too.
Hauser’s again woes
Sam Hauser has missed seven video games early within the 2024-25 season as a consequence of again soreness after lacking simply 5 video games over the previous two seasons. Extra regarding: When Hauser has been out there, he’s struggled to be impactful.
That has been accentuated during the last two video games, as Hauser has taken — and missed — only one shot over half-hour of flooring time in opposition to the Magic and Sixers. A plus/minus darling, he’s minus-17 during the last two video games.
Like Porzingis, it’s been a little bit of start-and-stop with Hauser. He missed a sport to start out the month in opposition to Miami, however got here again to hit 9 of 18 3-pointers over a two-game span in opposition to Detroit and Milwaukee. Alas, the again acted up once more and compelled him to overlook three of the following 4 video games.
The Celtics want to determine the right way to get Hauser feeling himself once more. Even with Payton Pritchard main the Sixth Man of the Yr dialog, the bench hasn’t been as environment friendly this season partly due to Hauser’s struggles. Boston is blessed with depth, however Hauser is significant to the crew being as dominant because it was a season in the past.
Concern Meter: 5. Again accidents are difficult. We suspect Hauser is attempting to push by way of the ache. Boston differentiated itself with bench play final season and a extra impactful Hauser would go a great distance towards curing what ails that group.
Turnovers
Boston’s turnover proportion by way of the primary 23 video games of the season was a mere 11.8 %, the second-best mark within the NBA behind solely Oklahoma Metropolis. That quantity has spiked to 13.1 % during the last seven video games.
Nevertheless it’s the mix of Boston getting somewhat sloppy together with an incapability to power takeaways on the defensive finish which have hindered the crew these days. The Sixers had simply six turnovers Wednesday, most of which got here within the Celtics’ feverish try to rally late.
Concern Meter: 2. The Celtics will clear up the ball safety woes, however they do must work tougher to power opponents into giveaways. Boston is creating simply 13.4 turnovers per sport, tied for twenty fifth within the NBA. The Celtics’ turnovers woes spotlight their must deal with the small print a bit extra.
Dwelling unsweet house
The Celtics are actually 11-5 at TD Backyard with their loss on Christmas Day — this after posting a 37-4 report at house final season.
It was clear that, after dropping Sport 7 on their house turf within the 2023 East Finals, the C’s put a precedence on caring for house court docket final season. This yr, they haven’t tapped into the Backyard power almost as effectively.
Boston has now misplaced to Golden State, Atlanta within the NBA Cup opener, Memphis in Marcus Sensible’s return, Chicago, and Philadelphia at house.
Concern Meter: 3. Mockingly, two of Boston’s three playoff losses got here at house final season. However they had been so a lot better at defending house turf a yr in the past. They should make the most of all alternatives contained in the Backyard.
Derrick White’s hunch
White gave the impression to be making a powerful case for All-Star inclusion, however for the second straight yr, somewhat early-season hunch would possibly conspired in opposition to him.
Over his final 9 video games, White is taking pictures 37.3 % from the ground and 32.5 % from 3-point vary on almost 9 makes an attempt per sport. White sat out a late-November sport in opposition to the Cavs with a foot harm and hasn’t fairly been himself since. It’s truthful to surprise if a complete lot of basketball over the previous 14 months is including up, too.
Concern Meter: 1. Whereas it’d hinder his All-Star probabilities, White all the time appears to search out his manner. His “Inventory” numbers (1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per sport) are nonetheless stable during the last 9 video games; he simply must lock in a bit extra on each side.
A Last(s) reminder
Finally, it feels just like the Celtics merely must recommit to the small print. It’s a protracted season and it’s exhausting to carry it each night time when your final purpose can’t be achieved till June. However Boston has merely gotten somewhat lax in areas.
Well being hasn’t helped that trigger, however the Celtics not often used availability as an excuse final season. Boston’s depth is meant to be what differentiates itself and the Celtics want extra from whoever is offered on the court docket.
Boston has not responded effectively to physicality and tempo these days. We’re desirous to see if an uptick in high-profile opponents in January forces the Celtics to carry a extra constant effort, and the way they reply to the highway grind.
The underside line is that this crew merely hasn’t performed persistently sufficient these days. They’ve clearly proven the potential to play at a championship degree however too typically endure painful lulls on each side of the ground. There must be a recommitment to taking part in exhausting for nearer to 48 minutes.
That’s not simple when you’ll be able to’t accomplish any of your major objectives in December or January. However the crew must get again to constructing higher habits. Groups look somewhat too comfy at instances in opposition to Boston, significantly on the Backyard flooring, and it’s time for the Celtics to ship a reminder that they’re the champs, and have plans to maintain that crown this June.
