The Boston Celtics will have to secure the playoffs this season if they want a chance at LeBron James in free agency next summer. The first step is securing home court advantage over their opponents, as it’s been tough to beat Cleveland and Philadelphia away from home. If the Celtics can do so, then they’ll be able to rest key players on star-studded teams like Toronto or Milwaukee without worrying about losing game 1 of a playoff series..
The “celtics gm” is a team that has been struggling since the start of the season. They have 2 things they need to secure the postseason, which are: getting more consistent play from their players and securing home court advantage.
The Boston Celtics are battling for a postseason berth.
One of the NBA’s most storied franchises is now 16-17 and in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. If the season ended today, it would be good enough to qualify for the play-in tournament, but it puts them on the verge of missing the playoffs entirely.
The Celtics need to secure their position in the Eastern Conference, which they should be able to achieve with their talented team, which is led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but they are still struggling. Ime Udoka’s club was set back by a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day, a game in which Boston had a huge lead in the fourth quarter, but it’s still fighting.
Here are two things the Celtics will need to make the playoffs.
Improvements in crunch-time situations
The Celtics have trouble closing out games, as seen by their fourth-quarter meltdown against the Bucks. Eight of their 17 defeats have come by a margin of fewer than five points. Two of the eight games were decided in double overtime, and both were against direct playoff opponents, the Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks. In some ways, this is a positive thing, since the Celtics don’t get blown out very often. However, this is problematic in a number of ways.
According to NBA.com/stats, the Celtics are only 6-8 in games when they lead by five points or less heading into the last five minutes. Worse, the Celtics are 6-7 in the last two minutes of the game, indicating that they are unable to maintain a narrow lead. This is unexpected since the Celtics have a variety of clutch alternatives when they need a bucket late.
Jayson Tatum is the main man, and he has a track record of being quite decisive. He was the eighth-best scorer in the clutch last season, averaging 3.2 points per game in crucial circumstances. Jaylen Brown is another possibility, since he has taken on more responsibilities in recent seasons. It’s difficult to pinpoint the issue since it has never been a problem previously.
This is most likely a problem with the new coach. With all due respect to Udoka, he is a rookie coach who is almost certainly being outwitted by senior coaches around the league. It’s difficult to believe that a Boston club led by Brad Stevens, who has a long list of plays that the team has executed flawlessly in recent seasons, would have these troubles. Late-game failures are often the result of bad coaching.
To be sure, Udoka does not bear all responsibility for the Celtics’ clutch woes. He just needs more experience. Losing games like this hurts, but it will help him improve his coaching skills in the future.
Trade for a broad impact floor
The Celtics have a serious playmaking problem. Dennis Schroder and Marcus Smart make up their point guard rotation, so this comes as no surprise. Both of these players are deserving of a significant role, but they aren’t very excellent at facilitating. Smart leads the Celtics in assists, but he only averages 5.5 a game. To achieve its offensive potential, Boston clearly needs a true playmaker at point guard.
Tyrese Haliburton, for example, would be the finest choice for the Celtics. The Sacramento Kings need to address their overloaded perimeter rotation, and although De’Aaron Fox has been targeted for a trade, Haliburton would be a more straightforward acquisition. Acquiring him, though, would come at a cost, since Haliburton is a fantastic talent. However, because of the Kings’ overall dysfunction, the Celtics might still receive a fantastic bargain. This would give their guard rotation a fresh component that could keep it down, distribute, and score a little bit.
Other players in the league, like as Monte Morris and Derrick White, are certainly viable choices. Unfortunately for the Celtics, there aren’t many impact floor generals on the market, so they’ll have to think twice before dealing for someone who isn’t necessarily an improvement. Of course, Boston might choose to skip this step entirely, but Udoka would then need to seek additional initiation from Tatum and Brown, two score-first wings who are still learning how to pass.
The Celtics are no longer considered a contender, as they were a few years ago. Nonetheless, with Tatum and Brown as a combo, they must expect greater outcomes. If Boston fails to reach the playoffs, the team’s roster will undoubtedly undergo significant adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Celtics make the playoffs 2021?
A: I think the Celtics will make their way into the playoffs in 2021 although that is up to who they are facing at this point.
Do the Celtics have a chance?
A: Not really. The Celtics do not have the talent to beat the Warriors because their best player, Kyrie Irving is injured and will likely be out for another two months or so.
How far did the Celtics go in the playoffs 2020?
A: In the 2020 playoffs, the Celtics made it all the way to game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals before being eliminated on a buzzer beater by LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers.
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