The depth of the Celtics has been a major strength of the team this season, and it's continued to be a difference maker for the team in the playoffs.
Specifically, it has been the depth of the Celtics' backcourt. It's not often a team has three starting-caliber guards on a roster, but that's what the Celtics have in Marcus Smart, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon. Boston very well could have the deepest backcourt in the entire NBA with their three-headed-guard monster, and it has worked wonders for the team so far this postseason.
Behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics' top scorers this series are White (79 points), Smart (68 points), and Brogdon (49 points). It's also worth noting that Smart (6.3) and White (4.8) are one and two, respectively, in assists per game for the Celtics this postseason.
The trio's impact was on display again in Boston's Game 4 victory Sunday night, as they combined for 51 points on 21 of 38 (55.2%) shooting from the field. The trio also dished out eight assists.
What stuck out in particular in Game 4 was Smart's contribution to the Celtics' 12-4 run at the end of the first half, which proved to be the difference in the game. Smart scored or assisted on each of Boston's five buckets across that run, as he was 2-for-2 from the field, scoring five points, and dished out three assists. Oh, and Smart was questionable entering the game.
After the Game 4 win, Joe Mazzulla called Smart the "trigger" of the Celtics' offense. This is a role that really either of the three guards can, and have, thrived in for the Celtics this season.
Though the focus has been their impact on the offensive end, each of the three are also great defenders. Obviously, Smart was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year a season ago. White has put together an All-Defensive Team-caliber season and Brogdon has been sneaky good on the defensive end, too.
Though it may be overshadowed at times, Celtics fans need to appreciate what they have in the backcourt. To have three scoring threats that are all also great two-way players is such a luxury and will go a long way in helping Tatum and Brown this postseason.
