There is a reason that the Boston Celtics found as much success during the 2023-24 NBA regular season as they did. Finding a weakness on their team isn’t easy, as they are as well-rounded as any squad in the league.
Heading into the 2024 NBA Playoffs, they were the odds-on favorites to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Given the injuries that have occurred to other contenders in the Eastern Conference, their road to the NBA Finals was thought to be a pretty smooth one by many people.
But, things aren’t as always easy as they seem. Even the greatest teams have a flaw that can be taken advantage of, and the Boston Celtics are no different. What could that potentially fatal flaw be?
In the opinion of NBA writer Chris Herring of ESPN, it is their rim protection. Without Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup, as he is out through at least the Eastern Conference semifinals, the team is susceptible to being taken advantage of on the interior.
“Although Boston has still been great in games without Porzingis this season — 21-4 to be exact — his absence will mostly be felt on defense. The 7-foot-3 center held opposing shooters to a ridiculous 13.8 percentage points beneath their season averages within 6 feet, tied with Defensive Player of the Year favorite Rudy Gobert for the NBA’s best mark among players who challenged at least 350 attempts near the basket.
Only Minnesota was better than Boston at holding teams beneath their averages around the basket, so a Porzingis-less interior could be a factor against an explosive Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers’ two-big lineups,” Herring wrote.
A lot is made about the impact Porzingis has offensively, as he is more than likely the best No. 3 option in the NBA. With the talent to be a go-to offensive player, Porzinigs has the luxury of playing off of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Without having to exert as much energy on offense, Porzingis can unleash his full potential defensively. He is an excellent rim protector given his length and is mobile enough to cover space and make opponents comfortable anywhere in the paint.
That has led to the Celtics needing to provide help on the interior, opening up the perimeter. The Cleveland Cavaliers took full advantage in their upset victory in Game 2, as they converted for a very high rate on 3-pointers to even the series at one game apiece.
If that occurs again, the Boston Celtics are going to be in more trouble than anyone could have predicted.
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