How Celtics’ defense has improved after slow start and a look at the numbers

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/11/how-celtics-defense-has-improved-after-slow-start-and-a-look-at-the-numbers.html



How Celtics’ defense has improved after slow start and a look at the numbers



Published: Nov. 18, 2022, 9:46 a.m.

By Souichi Terada | sterada@masslive.com


When the Celtics embarked this season as the defending East champions, all eyes were naturally on their defense. Boston dominated the second half of last season because of a dominant defense that blew away the competition.

Instead, the defense sputtered to begin the season while the Celtics’ offense soared to historic levels. That put the defense on the back burner when it came to Boston’s success despite the players saying they needed to build back their defensive identity.


While the C’s sit atop the NBA with the best offense, Boston’s defense has slowly risen up the rankings. The C’s are currently 16th in the league with a 111.5 defensive rating. But dig deeper, then the recent numbers start to look better for the Celtics, winners of eight straight games.

In the last 12 games, the Celtics have the sixth-best defensive rating in the league, allowing just 110.2 per possession. The Celtics have been bogged down by their first three games of the season, where the Celtics put up a 116.8 defensive rating. That follows a similar script to last season, when the Celtics steadied themselves after a few porous defensive games to start the year.

Taking a look at the Celtics’ defensive shot chart showcases an analytically-favorable picture of what they want to do on that end of the court. (The following stats are courtesy of Cleaning the Glass.)


Before getting into the numbers, it’s clear the Celtics want their opponents to shoot inefficient midrange jumpers at a high frequency, while limiting shots at the rim. They’re also doing well by not allowing many 3-pointers to go up. The C’s are only allowing a 52.1% effective field goal percentage, which ranks third in the NBA.

Here are the stats: 39.3% of shots the Celtics are giving up are midrange shots, which is the most in the league. In contrast, they’re only giving up 28.6% of shots near the rim, the second lowest number in the NBA. The remaining 32.1% of shots are 3-pointers, which is third best in the league.

To go a step further, when opponents are getting to the rim, they’re not exactly efficient. The Celtics are allowing a 61.4% field-goal percentage at the rim, the third-best mark in the league. So even when teams are getting supposed good looks, they’re not converting as often because of the Celtics’ defense.


The numbers show that the Celtics are forcing opponents to take inefficient jumpers while not letting them get to the rim. It’s why C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said earlier in the season he wasn’t worried about the defense — the shot profile was what they wanted.


The percentages of looks are also a similar game plan to last season, when the Celtics had far and away the best defense in the league. The C’s gave up a little less shots at the rim and a few more 3-pointers but, most importantly, forced opponents to put up a lot of midrange shots last year.

“I think we’re in the top 5 in assisted field goal made percentage defense where teams aren’t passing the ball,” Mazzulla said pregame of the Thunder win. “It’s the good and the bad, where it constantly puts pressure on your opponent’s pickups and your individual defense, and those have to be better, every single possession, every night.

“You got to know the other team’s tendencies. You just have to be ready to be in your shifts and so just continuing to get better at that stuff every game.”

Of course, all of the defensive talk this season comes with a caveat. The Celtics are missing a key defender in Robert Williams III, who continues to rehab after left knee surgery. He isn’t expected back for weeks, but he’s a vital part of the equation as an All-Defensive team member last season.

It’s also nearly impossible to replicate Williams’ impact. The Celtics evolved last season when Williams played more of an off-ball defensive role where he could come blocking shots as a help defender. That unlocked the Celtics to their best selves as they overwhelmed teams down the stretch of the season.


The Celtics’ offense will continue stealing headlines considering how historically great Boston has been 15 games into the season. But when Williams comes back to shore up the defense, the Celtics have a chance to make even more noise. And that’s for a team already on an eight-game winning streak and owners of the best record in the NBA.


Bob
MY NOTE:  And RWill is coming back.  Wow.  I'm actually salivating (disclaimer:  could be the cinnamon bun).

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