From the Celtics’ first game on December 23rd through the end of February 2021, the team held their opponents under 100 points a total of four times. In the months of March and April, they’ve done it six times, five of which came after the trade deadline. After splitting a back-to-back against the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics hold the 3rd best defensive rating over their last 15 games.
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The narrative all year has been the Celtics weren’t playing with energy and urgency.