The Boston Celtics have won four in a row, improved to .500 (4-4), and right now that is good enough to lead the Atlantic Division (tied with Philadelphia).
After a 0-4 start I didn’t think I’d be writing that sentence. It certainly beats even Celtics’ fans expectations.
There are things we can pick apart with this streak, we certainly can question its sustainability, but the fact is the Celtics are hustling, getting some easy buckets in transition and winning games. Combine that with the slow starts for the Knicks and Nets, and you have an Atlantic Division upside-down cake.
During this mini-streak the Celtics’ defense has been almost flat with the start of the season, maybe marginally better but not significantly — it is the Boston offense that is fueling the run.
During the last four games the Celtics have scored 6.4 more points per 100 possessions than their season average, in part because they running a little more (three more possessions per game — they really got out and ran against Orlando Monday night). Along with that they also have cut their team turnovers down from 18 percent of their possessions for the season down to 13.9 percent. They are assisting a little more (they love the handoff from a big to a guard using him as a pick), shooting a little higher percentage, and hitting the boards a little harder. Their offensive numbers are up across the board.
Gerald Wallace, for all his talk, has been a hustle and glue guy during the streak. Avery Bradley is averaging 15.3 points a game on 52 percent shooting the last four games. Jordan Crawford is putting up 12.8 a night. And the combination of Brandon Bass (13 points), Jared Sullinger (12.3 points and 6 rebounds) and rookie Kelly Olynyk is averaging (11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds) has given Boston solid front line play.
Yes, it’s four early season games so it’s a tad early to plan playoff watching parties. Yes, three of the four wins came against teams looking hard at next year’s draft in Utah and Orlando (twice). But remember, they did beat the Heat in Miami as well.
And they are doing it all without Rajon Rondo.
Celtics fans should savor this. Things are going to get tougher as you look at the teams coming up on the schedule; stop and enjoy these things while you can. As coach Brad Stevens said after the game, things can turn on a dime in this league.
But today, Tuesday Nov. 12, the Boston Celtics are atop the Atlantic division.