How worried would you be about the Boston Celtics if they dropped two in a row to the Indiana Pacers?
This question is likely in the front of every one of the team’s 17 players, but with the continued absence of starting point guard Kemba Walker, a lack of depth on the wing and one of the league’s most inexperienced benches even with the addition of veteran floor general Jeff Teague, the potential for the Celtics to beat themselves still exists. On paper, even without Walker, second year wing Romeo Langford and two way big man Tacko Fall, Boston is the better team on both ends of the ball.
But games aren’t won on paper.
Celtics exercise options on Grant, Robert Williams, Romeo Langford https://t.co/JHIMnpa5FX
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 29, 2020
And while the team’s promising star wings in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum may be on the come-up in the league’s elite, low energy, poor communication and bad defense are as much the culprit behind the Celtics’ 1 – 2 start as anything.
Meanwhile, a Pacers team that isn’t especially more experienced as a whole has jumped out to a 3 – 0 start behind their new coach Nate Bjorkgren, who seems to have taken a script out of the Brad Stevens playbook as one of the best young coaches in the league.
Connected play and concerted effort has lifted Indiana over three straight opponents despite the team having little in the way of established elite talent on the roster.
Expect the Celtics to rebound in terms of their organization and execution in tonight’s rematch of the 108 – 107 loss for Boston on Sunday, with perhaps some twists to the starting lineups and rotations hinted at by head coach Brad Stevens coming as well.
The Celtics may also lean into burgeoning star Jaylen Brown more than they did in the first game of the series given the Georgia native has been producing at a very high level when the team runs their offense through the veteran wing.
Tipoff is at 7pm ET Tuesday, Dec. 29th, and if you haven’t figured out how you plan on watching the game (or betting on it), we’ve got you covered. With a bit of luck, Boston should be back in the win column come tomorrow so long as this squad actually plays up to their abilities.
