Defensive Hole

The Celtics have had some problems dealing with athletic teams, just like what Atlanta and Chicago has showed in their two previous successive first round match-ups. The brand of offense of teams like them has exposed Boston's weakness in transition defense in an open court type of basketball. 

Fortunately for Boston, the other top teams in the East,as of now, in Cleveland, Orlando and Detorit plays a half court type of offense which Boston can defend much effectively. Boston's defensive style relies on all five players on the floor working together to stop plays and defend shots but against a high octane offensive team the defense seems to fall apart while Boston's dragged into a shootout.  Not that there's a shortage of players who can shoot the lights out for the Celtics but these kind of match ups, especially in a playoffs series drains a lot of energy as they go along into the playoffs.

Boston should work on transition defense against fast and athletic teams. Their guards and wing players should be able to hold their ground to slow down or stop these teams while on the run. And I think these is where the value of such young players that they haven't use a lot like Walker , Tony Allen, Giddens or if they're able to get Daniels will show.  

Fast ball movement and one on one plays by athletic players who can drive to the basket also typifies these teams and the addition of Rasheed, a very mobile big man, will definitely help but much still relies on Boston's first line of defense in their guards and forwards.

The downside of the East for Boston is that after the top four teams, other teams who may be seeded at the bottom when the playoffs starts plays these type of offense: the Hawks, the Bulls, Sixers, Heat, Pacers which make them possible early opponents for Boston come playoff time. Hopefully, they've learned their lesson now after these two previous first round match ups that went the distance without anyone, not taking anything from the Hawks and the Bulls, expecting so.