Indiana coach Frank Vogel refers to them as the pit bulls — the Celtics perimeter defensive crew of Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and, in the role of the big dog last night, Amir Johnson.
Ball pressure from the above crew in the last four minutes, including a 12-0 closing run, was almost solely responsible for the Celtics’ 103-94 win over Indiana, snapping a four-game losing streak.
It also marginally improved what has been a horrid home streak. Thanks to last night, the Celtics are now 4-6 at home since the start of December, and 1-2 in the New Year.