BY EVAN SPORER
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS
Beasts of the East With the All Star game and the trade deadline behind us, the playoffs are just around the corner. With 11 teams within 4.5 games of a playoff spot, we size up not only who will make it to the playoffs, but ultimately come out on top.
The Big Three
Boston: Currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference by mere percentage points, this veteran Celtics squad has been winning games with its defense. Allowing only 91.7 points per game, the Celts boast the stingiest defense in the league and have all of Boston excited for another title run.
However, a trade deadline shakeup has many fans scratching their heads. Shipping Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Celtics lost a premiere post defender, and an excellent candidate to match up against the likes of Dwight Howard and Amar’e Stoudemire in the playoffs, or even a guy like Andrew Bogut.
However, the player they acquired in return, Jeff Green, certainly adds a different dynamic to these Celtics. At times, this team can at times get wrapped up in a half court offense, and Green will surely make the Celts push the pace. Guarding the Celtics with Green at the four and Garnett at center could prove to be difficult for any team trying to match that versatility.
