Boston Celtics’ Hot Start for the 2017-2018 Season
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. And, unfortunately, 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 began playing better basketball which is the
reason for the team’s early success.
The Celtics are playing well on the
offensive end, scoring an average 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, making it difficult for teams to score.
Opponents are working for their points but scoring only 94.5 points per
game. That puts them in first place in the NBA in defense. Add to
that only 13.1 turnovers per game and we have winning performances.
The Celtics are doing a decent job
rebounding on the offensive end. When they are able to box out, they
create second chance opportunities thereby helping the Celtics not only hold
onto the ball to take more time off the clock, but will puts more points on the
scoreboard. That is making the difference in the early games.
Boston does needs work on free throws.
When given opportunities, the team is not making free throws (only 76%).
Opposing teams can foul an otherwise sure basket and send a Celtic to the
line. Those misses can lead to defensive rebounds. Head Coach Brad
Stevens needs to work with the team in practice to improve free throw
performance. That could make the difference between a win and a loss.
With 71 games remaining, the Celtics are
off to a respectable start. There’s room
for improvement. The team could be dangerous
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.
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