Will Jordan Walsh be Harden’s primary defender?
I did not expect Jordan Walsh’s defense to be at the level we’ve seen over the last few games. Whether he was guarding Orlando’s Paolo Banchero or staying
in front of Philadelphia’s shifty Tyrese Maxey, Walsh has shown real defensive versatility. At the moment, he’s earned Joe Mazzulla’s trust to take on the opposition’s best players.
Against the Los Angeles Clippers, there’s a strong possibility he’ll be guarding James Harden. One of the best scorers in the NBA, Harden presents a different challenge compared to Banchero and Maxey. He’s made a living at the free-throw line with his signature step-back jumper and his ability to get into the paint at will.
Harden is coming off a 41-point, 14-rebound, 11-assist triple-double against the Mavericks. On the season, he’s averaging 25 points, 6.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists. He’s the engine that powers the Clippers — especially this L.A. team that’s without Kawhi Leonard and Bradley Beal.
Walsh will have his hands full against one of the best scorers in NBA history, but if he continues defending at this level, he should welcome the challenge.
How will Neemias Queta perform against Ivica Zubac?
This is the matchup that intrigues me the most. I’m a big fan of Zubac and believe he’s a handful for most teams. Queta will get the early assignment on Zubac, and I think he’s been pretty good this year at defending centers who can score. When Queta first arrived in Boston, he tended to fall for every pump fake and leave his feet too quickly. Now that he’s more acclimated to the league, you rarely see him mistime a jump or bite on a fake. Against Zubac, he’ll need to stay disciplined and avoid sending the big man to the line.
Queta is having a solid season so far as Boston’s starting center. In 23.9 minutes per game, he’s averaging 8.9 points and 8.1 rebounds. I still think there’s more he can unlock offensively — there’s some untapped potential in his post game. But in Mazzulla’s system, it’s rare for Queta to get many post touches and just “go to work.”
What he is doing well is crashing the offensive glass (as is his battery mate, Luka Garza). Queta is averaging 2.9 offensive rebounds per game, something Mazzulla has to appreciate as it gives Boston extra possessions.
Can Boston win the rebounding battle?
Ever since the first few games — when it felt like opponents were beating Boston to every rebound — the Celtics have flipped the script. Over the last few outings, they’ve been the more physical team on the boards. Against the Grizzlies, albeit in a blowout win, Boston out-rebounded Memphis 58–41. In the loss to Philadelphia, they held the advantage again (53–44). They were minus-1 in the win over Orlando, and in the loss to the Magic, the teams tied at 44.
The improvement is noticeable. Early in the season, Mazzulla even subbed out a player immediately after their man grabbed an offensive rebound. Now the team looks much more locked in, focusing on securing the ball and creating extra possessions on the offensive end.
Winning the rebounding margin against the Clippers would give the Celtics a much better chance of taking down L.A. at TD Garden.
