5 reasons not to discount the Celtics in the NBA playoffs

4. The Celtics’ Combo of 3-point shooting and team defense

Regardless of who is on the floor or in the lineup, the Celtics do two things extremely well from top to bottom — they shoot and make a high percentage from behind the arc and they play relentless, disciplined team defense.

The Celtics collective 3-point percentage of 37.8 is second only to the Warriors this season. Their 11.5 3s made per game are good for seventh in the NBA and is a significantly higher number than both the Wizards and Bucks, their two potential first-round opponents.

Al Horford, Terry Rozier, Marcus Morris, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum (as mentioned above) all shoot over 37 percent from beyond the 3-point line. Even without Irving, only the Warriors (when healthy) have five players who shoot from outside at such a high percentage. Their depth of 3-point shooters allows them to keep three to five players who force defenders to guard beyond the arc on the floor at any given time. With multiple shooters drawing defenders out, they’re able to space the floor to open up driving and passing lanes that make them much harder to defend and give opposing defenses headaches.

At the other end of the court, the Celts are first in the NBA in defensive efficiency rating, third in points allowed (100.3 per game), and second in opponent shooting percentage (43.9 percent). Al Horford and Jaylen Brown are both in the conversation for first or second team All-Defense this year and Tatum, Morris, Rozier, and Aaron Baynes are all above-average defenders at their positions.

No matter who they’re playing, Boston has a shot if they’re hitting from three and playing the kind of defense they’ve been known for under Brad Stevens.