Watching a crew with a transparent id and no query marks definitely 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 informed you so; if I’m incorrect, you possibly can reference this text and say you informed me so (or we will collectively comply with faux it by no means occurred).
With that in thoughts, listed below are ten statistical predictions which can be 100% assured to both be proper or incorrect.
1. Payton Pritchard will common five-plus assists.
Payton Pritchard has elevated his help complete every of the previous two seasons, together with a career-high 3.5 per sport final yr.
There’s purpose to consider that quantity will proceed to enhance, and I’ve a hunch he’ll have the ability to push it above 5 per sport this yr. Pritchard will get quite a lot of love for his shotmaking (for good purpose), however he’s additionally a superb passer. With much more alternative, he’ll have the ability to showcase that a part of his sport on a constant foundation.
2. Jaylen Brown will end top-five within the league in scoring.
It’s simple to neglect, however Jaylen Brown averaged 26.6 factors per sport 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 increase that complete this yr. His quantity will virtually definitely 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 sport, and there’s purpose to consider Brown will probably be in that ballpark and crack the highest 5 this yr.
3. The Celtics received’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 sport) and tried (48.2 per sport). This season, whereas they’ll nonetheless be close to the highest of each classes, they received’t lead the league in both.
The loss to the Knicks final yr was a not-so-subtle reminder that offenses have to 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 consider newcomer Anfernee Simons will end second on the crew in scoring this season. He’s not an ideal participant, however I don’t assume the vast majority of Celtics followers understand 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 artistic shot-maker, and with Brown, Pritchard and White by his aspect, defenses received’t have the ability to double him continuously.
5. Derrick White finishes top-30 in each steals and blocks.
White has an opportunity to make an All-Protection Group 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 improve 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 consider he’ll maximize it. He averaged 13.9 minutes per sport 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 sport.
Queta helps, and Luka Garza and Chris Boucher will do their half as nicely, however this crew simply isn’t outfitted to be constant on the boards. It is going to be extra obvious in some video games than others, however total, 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 received’t all the time be rosy, and it received’t all the time be bleak, however it could be each at sure occasions. Ebbs and flows are inevitable, however I consider this crew could also be extra inclined to swings than the typical group.
9. Jayson Tatum will play not less than one sport.
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 crew will probably be higher than individuals assume, and if Tatum does return, something is feasible.
