Coming into the season it was assumed that the Boston Celtics would suffer a significant drop off defensively with the departure of Al Horford and Aron Baynes. With more than 25% of the 2019-20 season in the books, that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Boston’s defense has been thriving, and actually far better off than last year’s team.
The Celtics currently sit third in defensive rating behind only the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets, with an overall record of 17-5. Now being widely recognized as an improved product from last year, but still lacking that last piece to make them a true contender according to some.