After starting the year as the pre-season favorite to face the Warriors in The Finals, Boston has dealt with growing pains. The defense has been there. Of lineups that have played at least 100 minutes this season, starting or otherwise, Boston’s super switchy original Big Five averages the 5th best DefRtg at 94.9. Unfortunately, the ideal of Boston’s five-fingered offense hasn’t exactly come to fruition yet.
The Celtics opened the season with a rusty Kyrie Irving, tentative play from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, a ho-hum start from Al Horford, and a returning Gordon Hayward.