OKC Thunder: NBA Power Rankings -Griffin buyout shifts ladder at half way mark

Boston Celtics:

Week 11: 2-0
Won vs: Clippers 117-112 Raptors 132-125

Week 12 opponents: @Nets, @Rockets

Offense: (112.6) 12th
Defense: (111.7) 16th
Net: (Plus +0.9) 10th

Although the Celtics entered the break on a four-game win streak it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in Bean Town.

The refs aided the Celtis in their comeback versus the Wizards and they caught the Pacers at a time when they were struggling. Kawhi Leonard missed their matchup due to back spasms and then they got gifted the decimated Raptors forced to move up their previous game giving the Celtics a rest advantage.

While the Celtics managed to collect the victories the fact they allowed an exhausted Raptors squad featuring primarily end-of-bench players to score 125 points should be concerning.

Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been magnificent but there are issues this team needs to fix if they want to make a deep playoff run. Kemba Walker has had moments but looks susceptible on defense while Jeff Teague doesn’t seem like a good fit.

The frontcourt is even more concerning as clubs put Robert Williams in constant pick and roll sets he struggles to defend or highlight the deficiencies of Tristan Thompson. Daniel Theis plays with heart and grit but seems better suited to playing the four.

Moving forward, the return of Marcus Smart can’t come soon enough and the good news is there is time to correct the ship. Meanwhile, executive, Danny Ainge has a hole burning in his wallet from the massive $28.5 million TPE he received for Hayward and will aim to use that to bolster the frontcourt.