The Boston Celtics have finally stopped playing passive defense. For years, the team relied on shot blocking while opponents moved the ball with ease. Now, the dynamic has flipped completely. Boston is forcing 18.4 turnovers per game, a figure that ranks among the top three in the entire NBA.
Past seasons showed a clear flaw in the plan. Since Joe Mazzulla took over, the team ranked near the bottom of the league in turnovers forced. They finished 26th or 29th in opponents’ turnover percentage for four consecutive seasons. That era ended on Saturday night. Per Audacy, the Celtics reached the mark of forcing at least 16 turnovers just 16 times all of last season. They have now done it in each of their first five games.
Length and IQ Drive the Change
Paul George sees the difference on the court every day. He credits the team’s physical tools and smart minds. “I think our length. I think our ability to guard. We’ve got great defenders, guys that sit down, guard their guys,” George said. The roster is full of players who can read the game and react fast. George added that the squad has high IQs to read and make plays. Without hesitation, they assist each other while rotating in mutual support.
Six different players registered a steal against the Bulls in the latest matchup. Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, and Paul George each recorded multiple steals in that game. According to CelticsBlog, the squad currently holds the third spot in both per-game deflections and opponent turnovers. Brooklyn head coach Jordi Fernandez noted the new look of the Celtics right away. He pointed directly at their focus on forcing turnovers as a key change.
Historic Pace for the Mazzulla Era
The volume of steals is hitting levels never seen before under this coach. The Celtics have 92 forced turnovers over their first five games. No five-game span during the Joe Mazzulla era has seen them perform at such a high level. The preseason hinted at this surge when the team forced 82 turnovers across four games. That was an average of 20.5 per game. Now the regular season numbers are holding steady at a high clip.
Against Boston this season, opponents are recording an average of 18.4 turnovers per game. Only the Raptors and the Lakers have better numbers in this category. The team forced 16 turnovers against the Bulls, with 10 coming directly from steals. Last year, the Celtics forced the second-fewest turnovers despite having the fourth-best defensive rating. The new approach relies on active hands and constant pressure.
