Losing the 2nd QTR

The Celtics are the # 1 team in the NBA in scoring defense in the 1st QTR, they are also one of the worst scoring team at #28 in the 1st QTR

These are polar opposites.

In the 2nd Qtr they are 10th in scoring defense but the offense gets even worse  at 30th.

The 3rd QTR scoring goes up to 7th in the league and the defense is drops off to 9th.
 
The 4th qtr scoring drops to 14th and the defense remains at 9th.

The Celtics are #1 in defense in  the 1st half and 7th in the 2nd half

The Celtics are 30th in offense in the first half and 8th in the second half.

The lack of offensive production in the first half is the problem.   It sets the team up for a grueling 2nd half comeback.  It is clearly the biggest issue for this team.  

The team simply has to put up more points early.    Our best scoring relative to our defense comes in the 3rd quarter of games.

Currently Boston is being outscored in the first half 50.8 - 48.2.  They have been winning the 2nd half battle 55.7-52.4

The Celtics have outscored their opponents in QTRs 1, 3 and 4.
 
The second qtr has produced an average of 23.8 PPG and the defense has given up 27.8 PPG during the 2nd quarter.  

+1.8 spread in the 1st, -4 in the 2nd, +2.5 in the 3rd and +.8 in the 4th.

The distribution of rotation minutes during the 2nd QTR may be the problem.  Both our offensive production is at its' lowest and our defensive is at its' worse.

What can the Celtics do to improve their 2nd QTR, -4 point differential?

The first place to look would seem to be the second unit rotation, since they get the heaviest minutes in the 2nd Q. Especially in the early to mid quarter.

The defensive fall-off from 1st to 7th, when 2nd unit types are integrated into rotations throughout the 2nd half, also stands out. 7th isn't terrible, but it sure isn't 1st. Smart and Rozier see good minutes in the second half, and are excellent defenders, so the problem appears to be the front-court here.

Looking at the macro view and not getting heavily into the weeds in statistical detail; it seems like you need to look at who the primary shooters/scorers are in the second Q, and need better play from your bigs in the 2nd half.

Hayward and more Tatum in the 2nd Q and a shot to Williams in the second half anyone?