Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Boston’s once-sputtering offense has been among the best in the NBA since the break, with an Eastern Conference-best offensive rating of 117.0.
Only the Golden State Warriors (117.9) have a better offensive rating than the Celtics since teams returned to the floor following the All-Star break.
It didn’t hurt that Boston has played five teams with sub-.500 records since the break and defeated them all, with the lone post All-Star break defeat being a 123-120 nail-biter at Houston on Saturday which at the time had the best record in the NBA.
Boston Celtics forward Al Horford said Stevens has been on the team about playing with better pace and thus, positioning themselves to be a better team offensively which would help balance out a unit that has already established itself as an elite team defensively.
Since the All-Star break, Boston has averaged 116.5 points which ranks sixth in the league. Prior to the break, Boston’s offense generated 103.1 points which ranked 25th in the NBA.
This is an important trend that needs to continue if the Celtics are going to make a deep playoff run. File that one under brilliant analysis.
I don’t get too wrapped up in quality of opponent because the league is full of mediocre teams. And last I checked, the Celtics play the same teams as Toronto, Cleveland, GS and Houston.
It’s certainly been a collective effort on offensive, but Terry Rozier has been really, really good.
Terry Rozier's scored in double-figures each of his last 14 games. He's averaging 15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and shooting 43.6% (47.4% from 3). #Celtics #ScaryTerry
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) March 6, 2018
So good that his FG% for the season is over 40%!
One tangent about Sherrod Blakely’s columns – he almost always keeps paragraphs to one sentence. Has the feel of a high school student stretching out his work to meet the required length of an assignment. Love you, Sherrod!
On Page 2, Greg Monroe’s game, not his style, is fitting in
After struggling early as he tried to find a rhythm with his third team this season, Monroe has made 17-of-25 shots (68 percent) and averaged 14 points against Charlotte, Houston and Chicago. His best outing came against the Rockets when the Celts pounded the ball to him inside and he emerged with 18 points, including a 6-for-6 effort from the free throw line, in 19 minutes.
“It’s just getting into a rhythm, getting comfortable,” the 6-foot-11 Georgetown product said. “I’m just trying to be aggressive and make the right play. That’s it.”
There was some question as to how it might work out…
“Nah,” he said. “If they didn’t feel like I fit, I don’t think they would have pursued me, and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have come. That’s stuff we talked about before I got here. And he hasn’t asked me to do anything I’m not comfortable with, and all the stuff they do already I feel like I am comfortable with. So it’s just about me getting my legs back under me and getting back into a flow.”
Greg Monroe’s life cycle in Boston to date:
“He doesn’t fit here. Can’t shoot and weak on defense.”
“See, I told you he’s washed.”
“Damn, Monroe killed the Rockets. I guess Danny and Brad know what they’re doing.”
Here, enjoy some rolling hook shots with your coffee.
.@M10OSE is looking more and more comfortable in his #Celtics uniform every game. https://t.co/8725jKk3N7
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 6, 2018
The rest of the links:
Globe – Fans should appreciate what Horford brings | How ‘Scary Terry’ Rozier became a thing
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