This week, we explain why defense has always been Boston's trump card, how the Minnesota Timberwolves will struggle winning multiple playoff rounds without a healthy Karl-Anthony Towns and Victor Wembanyama has arrived in San Antonio.
Jump to Lowe's Things:
Boston's true strength | Wemby has arrived
Nuggets getting into gear | Sigh, KAT
Lopez the ballhandler | What is Simons?
Two Monk quibbles | Bey's physicality
1. The Boston Celtics' catch-me-if-you-can defense
Most analysis of the Celtics tends to focus on their offense -- its potency, and the cracks that emerge in once-a-month crunch-time meltdowns. The Celtics are on pace to be the greatest offense in NBA history. They are No. 1 in 3-point attempts, and for all the old-school hand-wringing about their shot distribution -- I'm guilty, too -- that has served them well.
The Celtics know a good 3 from a forced 3. When they freeze up late, it is not because they settle for 3s. It's because they stop running the actions that produce the best ones.
Over the past month, they have found better balance -- getting into the restricted area more. In some games, that has been a response to extreme anti-3 tactics from defenses. In others, Boston has hunted the rim -- Jayson Tatum putting his head down, Kristaps Porzingis chiseling inside against mismatches.
When the Celtics maintain focus, it is very hard to stop them from getting good shots. On some nights, they bury you. When the jumpers go cold, they are vulnerable. They hit just 11-of-38 on 3s -- fewer attempts than usual -- in a potential Finals preview against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Tatum scored 15 points and gagged five turnovers in a game that might have ended his MVP candidacy and vaulted Nikola Jokic further ahead of the field.
The Celtics' defense held Denver to around league-average efficiency -- all you can ask against Jokic's precision and brilliance.
Defense has always been Boston's trump card -- the constant that hums amid shooting slumps. It is No. 2 in points allowed per possession -- behind only the Minnesota Timberwolves. Top to bottom, Boston has the best and most versatile defensive personnel in the league.