Preseason Preview

The Celtics are exactly where you would expect them to be. They have a comfortable lead in the Atlantic division and are right there in the thick of it in the East. Injuries are still the biggest wild card for this team. Garnett has missed significant time, so have Glen Davis, Tony Allen, and Marquis Daniels. If they remain healthy they have one of the best benches in the league.

Ready to Breakout vs. Reality: I picked Kendrick Perkins at the beginning of the season and that has come to fruition. Perkins has upped his point total from 8.5 last season to 12.4 this year while shooting 64 percent from the field. But it’s tough to overlook Rajon Rondo. He began to make the turn last year but he’s been phenomenal this season. Rondo leads the league in steals per game, is fourth in assists, and is second among point guards in field goal percentage. He is one of the biggest reasons the Celtics have been able to fight through all the injuries.

Over the Hill vs. Reality: Ray Allen’s numbers are down across the board and the biggest surprise is he’s shooting a career-low 36 percent from three-point range. He’s still productive but he’s slipping at age 34.

Worst Moment: Any time they play the Hawks. Three of their 11 losses have come to Atlanta. This will be something to watch come playoff time.

Best Moment: An 11-game winning streak including eight road games from November 22 to December 14. Runner-up would be Rajon Rondo’s game-tying lay-up vs. the Heat.

Best Case Scenario: The injuries to their stars help prop up their bench players and they are a healthy, cohesive unit come playoff time.

Worst Case Scenario: They limp into the playoffs as the four-seed and catch either a hot Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh. But a more realistic worst case scenario is catching the Hawks in the second round and being eliminated in five or six games. Their championship window is closing.

NBA Midseason Reports