As we enter the season’s final quarter, the Celtics are 43-18, snug as a bug in the East’s second seed. Boston can’t catch Cleveland, and although they’re only three games ahead of New York for the second seed, they also have a significantly easier remaining schedule than the Knicks.
But that doesn’t mean the Celtics can afford to rest on their respective laurels. The end of the season provides time for every player to show progress; here’s what they should work on.
Jayson Tatum — Take it easy
Tatum had a blistering February, averaging 28 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on strong 47/37/80 shooting splits. Before a rough performance against Denver to kick off March, he’d been playing as well as he had all season.
But I’m at least a little concerned about the tick-tocks he’s racked up. People love to poke fun at New York coach Tom Thibodeau for riding his starters into the ground. Well, Tatum has played the fifth-most minutes in the NBA this season, behind only three Knicks (who have played more games than Tatum) and Anthony Edwards, who is the Timberwolves’ sole reliable offensive engine.
That’s not the case with Tatum. While the Celtics are obviously better when Tatum plays, they still outscore teams by +7.6 points per 100 possessions without him. Give the man a break!
Luckily, the Celtics’ joke of a schedule will provide plenty of opportunities to rest, including back-to-backs against Brooklyn in mid-March and the season’s final two games in Boston against the Hornets. I hope Joe Mazzulla takes advantage of the schedule maker’s kindness.
Jaylen Brown — Stay in attack mode
Something I’ve liked about Jaylen Brown’s last two games: his determination to attack defenders and draw fouls. He’s tallied 19 free throw attempts in the last two games, one more than in his previous six games combined.
I’ve noted before that Brown’s dunk rate had noticeably declined this season, partially due to injuries, so watching him swat Zeke Nnaji aside like a seven-foot mosquito was reassuring.
Brown’s averaging a career-high in free throw attempts this season, partly to compensate for his jump-shot struggles to begin the season. I was a little worried that the recent return of his jumper might cause him to settle more often, but the last two games have set my mind at ease. Now, we need to see him carry that mentality through the rest of the season to stay sharp for the playoffs.
Derrick White — Keep that joy
White’s bizarre midseason slide, which coincided with Boston’s worst stretch of basketball in years, halted at the end of January after he rediscovered his joy.
“You have to go through that. I’m glad he went through it,” Mazzulla said. “It was important for his growth. It was important for us to see him struggle — because it shows how much we need him, and it’s important for him to fight for that confidence.”
There’s certainly no question that the Celtics need him to reach their peak — one could argue that he’s the team’s second-most-important player. White is happy once again, and Boston is rolling. They must ensure he stays that way, no matter what it takes. Playing time, shot attempts, a bowl of only shamrock-green M&Ms… if White names it, make it happen.
Jrue Holiday — Get used to the splint
Holiday will miss some time with a mallet finger, a small break on the tip of his pinky finger that prevents it from straightening and bending normally. This condition doesn’t usually need immediate surgery, but it will require playing in a splint for six weeks or more.
Holiday has already been struggling with his outside stroke, and it’s hard to imagine that adding a splint to the mix will improve it. But he will likely be wearing it into the playoffs, so he needs to develop some familiarity with his unwelcome new friend.
Kristaps Porzingis — Get healthy
This is a bit of a cop-out answer, but I’m unsure what else to say about the big man. He’s been injured, recovering, or sick for what feels like the entire season (has he really played 32 games?).
The Celtics proved their ceiling is mountaintop-high even without KP last season, but the road to the championship will almost certainly be steeper this year. Boston needs all hands on deck.
Payton Pritchard — Force the issue
Pritchard’s insane start to the season — 10 games of 15+ points in the season’s first 13 matches — set expectations high, but his moments of incandescence have flickered on and off like a faulty lightbulb in recent weeks.
He can still fill it up, but his big games are sandwiched by more forgettable performances. Part of it is that Pritchard hasn’t been hunting his shot quite as aggressively. While his shooting percentages remain stellar, his usage dropped from 18.9 to 16.9 when the calendar flipped (excluding garbage time). He’s certainly not passive, but he hasn’t been quite as aggressive getting up shots (partly because defenses have dialed in on him to a greater degree).
Pritchard is at his best when he’s got the blood-scent in his nostrils. He needs to rediscover that killer instinct.
Al Horford — You do you
What do you say about a 38-year-old who has consistently raised his game in the moments that matter most? Whatever you’re doing, Al, just keep on keepin’ on.
Sam Hauser — Tighten up on defense
Hauser’s defense has long been an underrated part of his game — he’s not making any All-Defensive Teams, but he’s stronger than virtually any other team’s weakest link.
This season, that hasn’t been the case. Unlike in previous years, Synergy grades Hauser’s isolation and pick-and-roll defense quite poorly. For a more holistic view, the Celtics as a whole defend far worse with Hauser on the court than off, the opposite of last season.
There’s more going on there than just Hauser — the team has spent parts of the season going through the motions on defense, and injuries have exposed some communication issues — but he has plenty of room to improve.
Luke Kornet — Demand the ball
Kornet sets big screens, rolls hard, defends well, possesses great hands, finishes strong, and makes the extra pass. Is it too much to expect his teammates to do the latter also?
This is a hyper-specific concern for a player who has exceeded expectations, but I wish teammates would stop looking off Kornet so much. He’s open under the hoop and on the roll a surprising amount but rarely gets rewarded. There’s room for at least one or two dump-offs more per game, particularly when Porzingis misses time.
Part of that is on Kornet, who seems far too willing to sit back and let others do the hard work. Make yourself a threat, Luke!
