Despite falling to the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden in one of the worst losses of the NBA’s 2023-24 season, the Boston Celtics somehow have held onto the top spot in Bleacher Report’s weekly league power rankings. “After starting the season 20-0 at home, the Boston Celtics are suddenly 22-3” at home, writes Andy Bailey.
“And while the first two losses probably shouldn’t alarm anyone (the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are both contenders), losing to the Los Angeles Lakers without LeBron James and Anthony Davis is bad,” he adds, hinting it could even be the worst loss of the season for Boston.
The B/R analysts writes that “it may be another reminder that Boston should at least be a little more willing to adjust on the fly when things aren’t going its way.”
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“The Celtics’ 42.7 3-point attempts per game leads the league,” notes Bailey. On Thursday, they took 48 and posted a below-average 3-point percentage while only attempting 7 free throws.
“Over the course of a season and most seven-game series, the math is eventually going to work for Boston’s 3-heavy attack, but occasional departures are sometimes warranted.”
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