NBA: Celtics might be hitting their stride at the right time

The Boston Celtics have reached the Eastern Conference Finals three times in just eight years since Brad Stevens was hired but they have failed to take the next step and truly compete for a championship. After a slow start this season, it seems the Celtics could be hitting their stride, going 8-2 in their last 10 including a 6-game winning streak. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have continued to fill it up offensively and Marcus Smart's return has helped the defense begin to return to form. Boston looks like a totally different team after an inconsistent start. Now the question becomes, can Boston keep it going into the playoffs?

“It’s been a crazy year in the NBA with all of the COVID-19 stuff and a quick turnaround from the bubble. I think we’ve done a great job the last couple games playing better. I think that quick turnaround from the bubble was tough. We were playing in the Eastern Conference Finals and two months later, guys were back and getting ready for this season," said Alex Barlow, who was hired by the Celtics in 2015. "We haven’t been healthy and at full strength much. Every team goes through injuries but I think there’s a lot of season left and the key is to keep getting better each and every day."

Boston had won six straight games before losing to the Chicago Bulls 102-96 on Monday night. During that span, they picked up wins over the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors. After hovering around 8th place for the last couple months, the Celtics have improved to 5th place and a record of 31-27. Tatum has been the catalyst during this stretch, averaging 27.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in April. He's outlasted Karl-Anthony Towns and Stephen Curry in a couple of recent thrilling wins.

Tatum had a career-high 53 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists on a scorching 60% shooting from 3-point range in a 145-136 overtime win over Minnesota on April 9. Just over a week later, he dropped 44 points and 10 rebounds against the Warriors to extend their winning streak to six. Boston trailed 33-24 after the first quarter but managed to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter. Tatum went onto score 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists in the fourth quarter alone. After dealing with COVID concerns earlier in the year, Tatum and the Celtics seem to be back on the right track.

"It's a process. It takes a long time. I for sure feel better now than I did a month ago. I don't think our record shows what kind of team we are. It's been a weird year. Obviously we've dealt with a lot of things. Some of us tested positive, certain guys have gotten injured. I just like the way we're playing," Jayson Tatum said after the win over Golden State. "We're not going to win every game but I think we're playing the right way and we're for sure trending in the right direction. We have to get back to defending at a high level like we have in the last couple years. We want to continue to compete."

Kemba Walker has also contributed to Boston's recent surge on offense, averaging 6.3 assists this month, up from 5.1 per game on the season. Not to mention that Brown has continued to score at an elite level with 24.6 points a night. The first time All-Star carried Boston to a couple of wins over the Knicks and Lakers, scoring 32 and 40 points, respectively. Since the trade deadline last month, the Celtics have increased their defensive pressure and rebounding on both ends. Brad Stevens' team hopes to remain at a more consistent rate as the regular season comes to a close in about a month.

Barlow, who played point guard at Butler for two seasons under Stevens, later talked about what it's been like to be in the Boston franchise: "Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge do such a good job with the organization and make it feel like a family. It was pretty smooth going from the video room to coaching the Red Claws. It wasn’t the easiest but it’s been great for my growth as a coach. Right now I’m spending time with the Celtics just rebounding, helping out with drills, doing whatever they need. I’m just kind of being an extra body. I’ve been fortunate enough to be put in a great organization."

The Celtics have turned it up a notch on defense, ranking 7th in opponents assists per game, but there are still limitations that could be exploited in the playoffs again. Even after adding Jabari Parker, there is a lack of difference-making big men on the roster and they are still one of the league's worst first quarter scoring teams. Boston has struggled to find a rhythm all year long because of COVID cancellations, defenses lapses, injury issues, minimal bench scoring, and a rotating spot at center, but they've finally started to elevate their play lately. Let's see if they can capitalize and secure a top-5 seed.

Watch my full interview with Alex Barlow on YouTube.

Photo Credit: SB Nation.