'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Celtics' inability to close out games
Fans of the Boston Celtics are unsure which side will show up on any given night. While the team has pulled off impressive victories over the LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks this season, they have also thrown away leads against the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Boston currently ranks 17th in 4th-quarter points, 28th in assists and 18th in rebounds. Combine these with their sub-par shooting (45% from the field and 73% from the line), the Celtics have been struggling to see off opposing teams.
Furthermore, they rank seventh in field-goal attempts made in the last four seconds of the shot-clock, indicating that their offense is not as free-flowing as coach Stevens would want it to be.
#4 Spreading the floor on offense
Although the Boston Celtics rank 12th in the league for offensive efficiency, which is not ideal but certainly not terrible, they rank 24th in assists per game. The Celtics have relied heavily on isolation offense this season, with star Jayson Tatum ranking fourth in the NBA for points per shot while isolated on the court.
Although Tatum's distribution has improved, the Celtics offense needs to see more from a player who averaged five assists per game in the playoffs last season. But that could be due to Tatum's change in role this season. Brad Stevens relied more heavily on the 23-year old in the bubble last season as a point forward running the floor.
But it does not bode well for Boston going forward that their two highest scorers - Tatum and Brown - only average a combined 8.1 assists per game.
#5 Bench strength
One of the Boston Celtics' biggest needs in the trade market was additional scorers from the wing as their offense has needed bolstering all season. The Celtics bench currently sits 25th in the NBA for points per game despite playing the 11th-most minutes. They also rank lowest in field-goal attempts.
Brad Stevens has simply not had an array of talent that he can reliably turn to every night. Evan Fournier has come into the team and will inevitably help their scoring deficiencies. He's averaging 18.5 points per game this season, though he will take time to settle in.
But they will be unable to compete in the postseason without a wealth of backup talent. If one of their stars gets injured, it could spell disaster for the Celtics' playoff hopes.
Guess the Lakers players!
