Celtics Finding Their Stride

By: Michael Shea Copy Editor

Since the NBA All-star weekend in mid-February, the Celtics have found their stride this season. They have won 5 out of their past 6 games. 

The Celtics are currently tearing up the league. They currently have the top defense in the league as well as the fourth best offense right now. 

Leading this big turnaround is Celtic’s star Jayson Tatum. Tatum has been electric, he has been a huge part of the Celtic’s offense including scoring 54 points against the Nets Sunday. He is the only player this season with two 50-point games. 

Tatum is not the only player on the Celtics that have stepped up. One of the players has been Robert Williams. Williams has been a defensive force for the Celtics. He has been leading the team in blocked shots. 

Marcus Smart has also found a consistent role. The longest-tenured Celtic, he has always had to play backup point guard to the likes of Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving, and Kemba Walker. Now, Smart has brought his tough mentality to the starting role and is flourishing. 

One of the surprises during this stretch has been Al Horford. Horford was acquired in a trade for Kemba Walker and is 35 years old. However, he has turned back the clock because he has been a key piece for the Celtics starters, creating a tandem of Williams and himself. 

The Celtic’s starters aren’t the only players contributing. Recently, the Celtics traded for point guard Derrick White. He is been a big help off the bench with his defense and reliability. 

Payton Pritchard is also a big contributor off the bench. The young guard has found valuable minutes of average 14 minutes a game. He comes off the bench for his 3 point shooting and his facilitating. 

The players are not the only ones stepping up. A huge part of this teams success is also Celtics coach Ime Udoka. He is struggled a little bit at the beginning of the season but has recently turned it around and even won coach of the month in February. 

This Celtic’s team was struggling at the beginning of the season. They were always close in the games but could never finish a game. Fans were calling to break up our Tatum-Jaylon Brown tandem. 

Now, Jayson Tatum has been hot right out of the all-star weekend. In a close Eastern Conference race, the Celtics need Tatum and the rest of the Celtics to continue this streak if they want to get far in the playoffs.