The Boston Celtics are starting to make some noise, having won six of their last seven games. After a bit of a sluggish start, the Celtics are starting to find their groove, currently possessing a 19-13 record, which puts them just 3.5 games back of the #2 seeded Toronto Raptors.
A big reason for the Celtics' success is the play of point guard Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging 26.8 points and 6.3 assists per game on 43.9% shooting from the field, 33.2% shooting from 3-point range, and 89.4% shooting from the foul line. Despite being just 5'9" and 185 pounds, Isaiah Thomas knows how to get buckets. In a hostile Memphis environment, Thomas lit up the Grizzlies like a Christmas tree for 44 points en route to a 112-109 road win on December 20. Without his sensational play, the Celtics would not have a winning record.
In addition to Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics are getting quality play from their new center Al Horford, who is averaging 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Horford is proving himself to be a quality acquisition for the Celtics who they can to continue to build around for the coming seasons.
Jae Crowder is likewise having a strong season for the Celtics, averaging 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. At 6'6", 235 pounds, Jae Crowder is able to provide a nice inside-outside presence due to his size and quality perimeter shooting (40.8% shooting from 3-point range). Jae Crowder is without question the most improved player on this Celtics team, playing like a legitimate starter at the small forward position.
The only real question for this Celtics team is what they do at the trade deadline. They have a quality trio in Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, and Jae Crowder, but that trio isn't good enough to get them to the NBA Finals this season or next season, for that matter. This team might be good enough as is to get past the Toronto Raptors to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, but still, I would have to give the Toronto Raptors the edge at the moment.
With a quality trade before the trade deadline, the Boston Celtics might put themselves in a position to reach the Eastern Conference Finals and possibly threaten to reach the NBA Finals. The only question is what trade would make sense? One possible name to target is DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings. I don't know what the Celtics would have to give up, but DeMarcus Cousins has been linked to the Celtics in trade rumors before. If the Boston Celtics could somehow land him or even his teammate Rudy Gay, they could have the pieces to make a run at the Eastern Conference crown.
The bottom line for the Boston Celtics is that they have a good team as it is, but they need to get better in order to make serious noise in the playoffs. Whether or not Danny Ainge is willing to roll the dice and make a big move at the trade deadline remains to be seen, but either way, I'm sure he's planning some brilliant move to improve his team. We'll just have to wait and see to find out what that move will be.
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