On Saturday night, the Celtics didn’t just beat the Hawks - they put together a half of basketball that felt like something out of a video game. Boston dropped 82 points before the break, including a jaw-dropping 52 in the second quarter alone.
That’s their highest-scoring half since a blowout win over Golden State two years ago. But this one hits different.
This wasn’t a flex from a top-heavy superteam. This was a showcase of depth, development, and a head coach who’s built a system where everyone - from stars to second-rounders - knows their role and thrives in it.
Joe Mazzulla has been playing lineup jazz all season, mixing and matching until the right notes hit. And now, halfway through the year, it looks like he’s found a rhythm.
At least until he decides to remix it again.
Brown, White, Pritchard: The New Perimeter Core
695 minutes | 119.9 Offensive Rating | 112.9 Defensive Rating
Last season, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White were part of Boston’s go-to trio with Jayson Tatum. This year, it’s Payton Pritchard stepping into that third spot - and the numbers say the group hasn’t missed a beat. In fact, they might be even better.
In 695 minutes together, the Brown-White-Pritchard trio has scored 1,726 points while shooting 48.9% from the field and 36.8% from deep. That’s not just efficient - that’s elite. Their offensive rating of 119.9 puts them in the same neighborhood as some of the league’s most potent lineups, including groups built around stars and high-level bigs.
What’s driving that success? Brown and Pritchard have quietly become two of the most efficient mid-range shooters in the league, while White has taken on more ball-handling duties without sacrificing efficiency.
It’s a perimeter group that can score from all three levels and defend multiple positions. And it’s become the engine of one of the most efficient offenses in league history - not just for one hot night in January, but across the season.
Queta and Walsh: From Question Marks to Game Changers
354 minutes | 121.3 Offensive Rating | 108.4 Defensive Rating
Neemias Queta came into training camp as a wildcard. Now?
He’s one of the Celtics’ most important players. His defensive impact is undeniable - second on the team in combined steals and blocks (trailing only Derrick White), and second in on/off defensive rating impact behind rookie Hugo Gonzalez.
When Queta’s on the court, the Celtics allow just 107.5 points per 100 possessions. When he’s off?
That number jumps to 116.1.
He’s not stretching the floor like Kristaps Porzingis or Al Horford, but Queta brings a different kind of value. He’s got soft hands, finishes well around the rim with either hand, and has sneaky bounce. He’s not flashy - just effective.
And then there’s Jordan Walsh. The rookie had a brief run as a starter, but his real value has come as a defensive disruptor off the bench. Just take a look at the names he’s locked up:
- James Harden: 4-of-9 over two games
- Donovan Mitchell: 2-of-8 with two turnovers
- Cade Cunningham: 3-of-10 with four turnovers
- CJ McCollum: 2-of-8
- Tyrese Maxey: 1-of-9
That’s a who’s who of All-Star-caliber scorers, and Walsh has made life miserable for all of them. Oh, and he’s shooting 43.5% from deep. Not bad for a guy whose calling card was supposed to be defense.
Garza, Hauser, Simons: The Screen-and-Snipe Crew
206 minutes | 122.0 Offensive Rating | 113.8 Defensive Rating
In today’s NBA, drive-and-kick is still part of the playbook, but it’s not always the most reliable way to create open looks - especially against switch-heavy defenses. That’s where Joe Mazzulla’s scheme gets creative. Instead of relying on misdirection, the Celtics are using brute force - think offensive line-style screens - to free up their shooters.
In Saturday’s blowout win, Luka Garza had six screen assists, including two that directly led to threes from Sam Hauser and Anfernee Simons. That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t show up in the box score but makes all the difference.
Hauser and Simons are both bouncing back from cold spells earlier in the season and are now hovering around 40% from deep. And while none of the three are known for their defense, they’ve all become more than serviceable on that end - which is all Boston needs when the offense is humming like this.
The Hugo Gonzalez Coefficient
552 minutes | +192
It’s hard to quantify what Hugo Gonzalez brings to the floor - but the plus-minus tells a pretty compelling story. In 552 minutes, he’s a +192.
That’s not a fluke. That’s impact.
Back in December, Gonzalez played the entire second half of a comeback win over Miami and finished +22. Last week, in another win over the Heat, he logged just 13 minutes - but his stretch bridging the third and fourth quarters helped swing momentum Boston’s way again.
The counting stats - four points and three boards per game - don’t jump off the page. But the hustle plays, the timely rebounds, the extra pass, the defensive rotations - those are the things that win games. And Gonzalez does them all.
Don’t Forget Baylor Scheierman
He’s not always in the rotation, but when Baylor Scheierman plays, he makes it count. Whether it’s knocking down threes (42.6% on the season), defending his position, or just making the right play, he’s become a trusted utility piece in his sophomore season. In 440 minutes, he’s a +65 - and when paired with Gonzalez, the Celtics seem to find another gear.
This Celtics team isn’t just deep - it’s smart, connected, and built to adapt. Mazzulla’s rotations aren’t just about plugging guys in; they’re about maximizing strengths and covering weaknesses. And right now, the Celtics are showing that even without relying solely on their stars, they can put together halves - and games - that feel historic.