Watching a staff with a transparent id and no query marks actually has its perks, however there’s additionally magnificence in following an unproven group with a clean canvas and decrease expectations.
Anybody who claims to know precisely how this Celtics season will unfold is both mendacity or a basketball genius. On the similar time, it’s enjoyable to guess what is going to occur. If I’m proper, I can reference this text and say I advised you so; if I’m flawed, you may reference this text and say you advised me so (or we are able to collectively conform to faux it by no means occurred).
With that in thoughts, listed here are ten statistical predictions which can be one hundred pc assured to both be proper or flawed.
1. Payton Pritchard will common five-plus assists.
Payton Pritchard has elevated his help whole every of the previous two seasons, together with a career-high 3.5 per recreation final yr.
There’s motive to imagine that quantity will proceed to enhance, and I’ve a hunch he’ll have the ability to push it above 5 per recreation this yr. Pritchard will get lots of love for his shotmaking (for good motive), however he’s additionally a wonderful passer. With much more alternative, he’ll have the ability to showcase that a part of his recreation on a constant foundation.
2. Jaylen Brown will end top-five within the league in scoring.
It’s straightforward to neglect, however Jaylen Brown averaged 26.6 factors per recreation within the 2022-23 season. That quantity fell to 23 two years in the past and 22.2 final yr.
Even with extra consideration on him, Brown ought to have the ability to enhance that whole this yr. His quantity will virtually actually go up, which may result in some 40-plus-point performances. Jayson Tatum completed fifth within the league in scoring final yr at 26.8 factors per recreation, and there’s motive to imagine Brown will probably be in that ballpark and crack the highest 5 this yr.
3. The Celtics gained’t lead the league in 3-pointers made or tried.
Final yr, the Celtics led the NBA in each 3-pointers made (17.8 per recreation) and tried (48.2 per recreation). This season, whereas they’ll nonetheless be close to the highest of each classes, they gained’t lead the league in both.
The loss to the Knicks final yr was a not-so-subtle reminder that offenses must be versatile and multi-dimensional. This yr, there will probably be an emphasis on increasing their arsenal and guaranteeing they’ll rating in some ways.
4. Anfernee Simons would be the Celtics’ second-leading scorer.
It may very well be Derrick White or Pritchard, however I imagine newcomer Anfernee Simons will end second on the staff in scoring this season. He’s not an ideal participant, however I don’t assume nearly all of Celtics followers notice simply how dynamic he’s with the ball in his palms.
He’s averaged 17-plus every of the previous 4 seasons, together with 22.6 two years in the past. Simons is a inventive shot-maker, and with Brown, Pritchard and White by his aspect, defenses gained’t have the ability to double him regularly.
5. Derrick White finishes top-30 in each steals and blocks.
White has an opportunity to make an All-Protection Workforce this yr. Final yr, he averaged 1.1 blocks and 0.9 steals and was simply outdoors the highest 30 in each classes. This yr, these numbers enhance barely to 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals, and he will get in for every.
6. Neemias Queta performs 20-plus minutes an evening.
The chance is there for Neemias Queta, and I imagine he’ll maximize it. He averaged 13.9 minutes per recreation a season in the past, and I anticipate that quantity to go to 20-plus this yr.
Even when the Celtics rotate many gamers out and in, Queta has established himself as somebody head coach Joe Mazzulla can actually belief.
7. Boston finishes within the bottom-10 in rebounds per recreation.
Queta helps, and Luka Garza and Chris Boucher will do their half as properly, however this staff simply isn’t outfitted to be constant on the boards. It is going to be extra evident in some video games than others, however general, rebounding will probably be a weak spot.
8. They’ve each a five-game profitable streak and five-game shedding streak alongside the way in which.
This feels prefer it’s going to be an up-and-down season. It gained’t all the time be rosy, and it gained’t all the time be bleak, however it might be each at sure instances. Ebbs and flows are inevitable, however I imagine this staff could also be extra prone to swings than the common group.
9. Jayson Tatum will play not less than one recreation.
If the Celtics are in competition, and Jayson Tatum retains progressing like he has, there’s an opportunity he’ll find yourself returning to motion this yr. If the Celtics sneak into the playoffs and get him again for the postseason run, it may very well be straight-up electrical.
10. The Celtics end 44-38 and get the 6-seed.
I, for one, can’t wait to see how this season performs out. This staff will probably be higher than folks assume, and if Tatum does return, something is feasible.
