Head Coach: Brad Stevens (7th Season)
Record: 43-21 (3rd in Eastern Conference)
All-Stars: 2 (Kemba Walker – 4th, Jayson Tatum – 1st)
Scoring Leaders: Jayson Tatum (23.6 PPG), Kemba Walker (21.2 PPG), Jaylen Brown (20.4 PPG)
Rebounding Leaders: Enes Kanter (7.7 RPG), Tatum (7.1 RPG), Daniel Theis (6.6 RPG)
Assists Leaders: Walker (4.9 APG), Marcus Smart (4.8 APG), Gordon Hayward (4.1 APG)
Offense: 113.0 Points Scored/Game (T-11th)
Defense: 106.8 Points Allowed/Game (2nd)
Key Wins: Lakers (139-107, Jan. 20), Raptors x2 (112-106, Oct. 25; 118-102, Dec. 25), Bucks (116-105, Oct. 30), Clippers (141-133, 2OT, Feb. 13), Nuggets (108-95, Dec. 6), Heat x2 (112-93, Dec. 4; 109-101, Jan. 28)
Season Summary: The Celtics have designs on a deep playoff run as the season resumes, with a skilled roster led by Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown. The talented young tandem of the 22-year-old Tatum and 23-year-old Brown are both enjoying breakout campaigns, while offseason free agent signing Kemba Walker has provided valuable leadership both on and off the court. Tireless guard Marcus Smart (1.6 SPG) and German big man Daniel Theis (1.3 BPG) spearhead a defense that ranks fourth in defensive rating and third in deflections, and veteran wing Gordon Hayward (17.3 PPG, 4.1 APG) has provided valuable secondary playmaking.
Having already clinched a playoff berth prior to the season being paused, the Celtics have proven they can match up with anyone. Brad Stevens’ team keeps every game close and has only lost by double-digits seven times this season. Boston posted a 6-3 record against the other teams in the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, while splitting the season series against each of the West’s top 5 teams. The road to the title is fraught with plenty of worthy adversaries, but there’s hope in Boston that this group can be the one to raise the franchise’s 18th NBA championship banner.
Memorable Moment: In one of the most exciting games of the season, the Celtics outlasted the Clippers, 141-133, in a double-overtime shootout in Boston back in February. The game served as a coming out party of sorts for Tatum, as he scored 39 points and outdueled reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard down the stretch. Smart also came up big with 31 points, while Hayward scored 7 points in double-overtime to seal the victory over another Finals contender.
Player To Watch: Jayson Tatum – The third-year forward is in the midst of a breakthrough season, having been named an All-Star for the first time. He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month in February after averaging 30.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 48.1% from 3-point range. He leads the C’s in scoring on the season – which includes twice erupting for a career-high 41 points – and is enjoying career-highs in rebounds (7.1) and assists (2.9). Walker may be the team’s big-name signing, but Tatum is quickly establishing himself as one of the premier players in the NBA.
