But in the past month, the Celtics have become the team that coach Joe Mazzulla envisioned, making up for their lack of size with hustle and execution on the boards. Players who slumped in the first few weeks have begun to heat up and Jaylen Brown is playing like an All-NBA player, a model of consistency scoring and playmaking.
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The Celtics have the league’s second-best record in the past 12 games, next to Oklahoma City’s 12-0 mark. They are third in the NBA in scoring in that span, third in field goal percentage, second in 3-point percentage, a respectable 11th in rebounds, and first in fewest turnovers.
On the defensive side, the Celtics are third in points allowed and fourth in opponent’s field goal percentage. The combination of a strong offense and effective defense is why Boston has risen in the East.
The good news for Mazzulla and Celtics brass is this streak is not a byproduct of unsustainable play. Players such as Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have returned to previous form while the emergence of Jordan Walsh has been, by far, the biggest surprise of the season.
Payton Pritchard, who scored 42 points in a Nov. 30 win at Cleveland, has shot much better as the Celtics have gone 10-2 in their last 12 games.Phil Long/Associated Press
White is averaging 20 points in the past 12 games and shooting 39.8 percent from the 3-point line. Pritchard has upped his numbers to 19.8 points per game, including a 42-point outburst at Cleveland, and 41 percent from the 3-point line.
The Celtics’ 3-point shooting languished near the bottom of the league in the first few weeks, but that has jumped up 41 percent in this 12-game stretch, helped by the shooting of Walsh, Josh Minott, and Anfernee Simons.
Placing Walsh in the starting lineup sparked this winning streak, but Mazzulla has also found a way to play Minott quality minutes and even pair him with Walsh. The Celtics are obviously more dangerous when they have multiple shooters and with Walsh and Minott able to hit threes, it has made them difficult to defend.
With Brown, White, and Pritchard on the floor and drawing defensive emphasis, most of the triples that Walsh and Minott attempt are going to be mostly open. They have to knock down those shots and they have. Simons, whose minutes and role was the subject of scrutiny for Mazzulla early, has adapted to his bench role.
He’s shooting 39 percent from the 3-point line and he’s plus 5.1 while on the floor, meaning the Celtics’ second unit is flourishing during his stretch.
The only way for the Celtics to compete in the East is going to be batter teams with their depth. And Mazzulla is essentially going 11 deep in his rotation, imploring his second unit to stay ready even though they may get an occasional DNP. Rookie Hugo González is a perfect example of that stay-ready mentality.
He has played in nine of those 12 games and shot 44 percent from the 3-point line. González has proven to be a plus-NBA defender with the ability to hit the occasional 3-pointer.
What has helped the Celtics’ recent run is those reserves have become accustomed to their unpredictable roles. That was a concern in training camp but there seems to be two players truly out of the rotations — veterans Xavier Tillman and Chris Boucher. And Mazzulla gave Tillman a surprising start last month in Cleveland when Neemias Queta was given the night off.
Jaylen Brown has looked like an MVP candidate during the Celtics’ dozen-game run.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Meanwhile, the rest of the Eastern Conference has been a major disappointment. Twelve of the 15 teams already have double-digit losses. The Knicks are the No. 2 seed and own a 3-6 road record. Teams such as the Hawks, Heat, Magic, Cavaliers, and Raptors have experienced struggles, injuries and have underachieved.
The Celtics are 8-6 against the top eight seeds in the East and three of those losses occurred in the first week of the season. The NBA Cup schedule has allowed for considerable rest and the club returns to practice Wednesday after two full days off.
The momentum generated by the past few weeks is a collective effort. The rebounds of White and Pritchard have helped the first unit become more potent offensively. Walsh and Minott have both been defensive aces and reliable scorers. Simons is living up to his reputation as a bucket getter. Queta has improved immensely over the past few weeks while Brown is playing like an MVP candidate, averaging nearly 31 points and 48 percent shooting during this recent 12-game stretch.
The Celtics have been fortunate with good health this season but the additions made by president of basketball operations Brad Stevens along with Mazzulla’s “stay ready at all times” philosophy has resulted in a contending team as we approach the middle of the season.
Fans paid big money to see the Lakers’ only trip to Boston this season, except LeBron and Luka Doncic sat out, and the backup Lakers barely put up a fight.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.