They are building a tougher identity that relies on defense and hustle. Jack Simone of the Boston Sports Journal noted that this season feels different because the Celtics can win when the shots simply aren’t falling. That is a huge shift for a franchise that often struggled when the offense went cold.
Look at the road trip against Orlando and Houston. The Celtics shot just 1-of-11 from deep against the Magic but still found a way to lead after the first quarter. They grabbed five offensive rebounds in that first period alone while forcing eight turnovers. This grit allowed them to stay ahead even when their outside game failed.
Queta and Robinson Change the Flow
Joe Mazzulla made a bold move to fix the offense. Starting the second half against Houston, he deployed a double-big lineup featuring Neemias Queta alongside Mitchell Robinson. This was not a standard play for this team. With increased space to maneuver and create havoc on the court, Queta performed excellently. He grabbed offensive rebounds and even hit a corner three to help bring Boston back into the game.
Even when the Celtics shot poorly from deep, they kept fighting. They forced three turnovers and turned Houston’s eight turnovers into nine points. That effort kept them alive in a game they otherwise might have lost.
Real Growth Beyond the Scoreboard
The Sixer Sense reported that the Celtics are sitting at 5-2 on the season. They are just 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers in the standings. The team is showing it can handle adversity without panicking. Jayson Tatum has been key to this shift by forcing his way to the free-throw line when the mid-range and layups stop going down.
The Celtics showed they can weather a storm and still find a winnable position. The Rockets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night at the Toyota Center. If they keep playing this hard on the boards and forcing turnovers, they will stay near the top of the East.
