Celtics-Hawks preview: Backcourt where it's at for Boston

Share

ATLANTA – Injuries left Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens little choice but to pair Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas in the backcourt.

At 5-foot-9, Thomas at the point guard position is undersized. And Bradley at the off-guard spot? He’s 6-2 and like Thomas, he too gives away a few inches at the position he plays.

But this tandem, both from the Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. area, are starting to play better – a lot better – with one another. In fact, tonight’s start will be their fifth together this season, which is more than any other backcourt tandem.

While the pieces have changed somewhat, the Celtics’ backcourt has been among the best this season. According to Hoopsstats.com, Boston’s backcourt averages 46.8 points per game which ranks ninth in the NBA. 

And get this: Defensively, opposing backcourts are averaging a league-low 37.2 points against the Celtics this season. Boston will look to continue along those lines tonight against the Atlanta Hawks.

“We just, we don’t back down from anybody,” Thomas said. “We have that same mentality, growing up in the same neighborhood. We just want to be great, we want to continue to work, continue to fight. That’s what got us here.”

In the four games they have started this season for Boston, Thomas and Bradley have combined to average 36.5 points per game which includes a game against Milwaukee in which Bradley left early due to a calf injury.

But they come into tonight’s game coming off their best collective scoring performance to date, combining to score 54 points in a 111-101 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday.

There are certainly areas Boston will look to shore up tonight. But finding a way to get similar scoring production from Thomas and Bradley would definitely enhance the Celtics’ prospects of winning and further prove that players from the Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. area can ball at the highest level possible.

“We got really talented guys from that area,” Thomas said. “We all have the same mindset. We’ve always been overlooked. I don’t know what it is; It’s just we love playing basketball. I think it’s because it rains so much out there; we’re forced to be in the gym.”

Contact Us