Celtics' new front-court addition allows them to unleash lethal lineup

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. | John Nacion/GettyImagesWhen the Boston Celtics signed veteran free agent Chris Boucher, it unlocked new lineup combinations that mesh with their desire to play at a faster pace more often.

Deploying a skinny, six-foot-nine center will create problems defensively and on the glass at that end of the floor. However, the question is whether Boston can field lineups that are a net positive with him at the five. If it works, it's the type of discovery that can swing games in their favor.

A unit featuring Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Boucher could force opponents to downsize or see them lose in a battle of mismatched…