After a slow start to the season, the Boston Celtics have been hot in the past month, winning 16 of their last 20 games. Star forward Jayson Tatum scored a season-high 54 points as well as 44 points in this stretch and shows no signs of slowing down. The Celtics were on a downward spiral before the trade deadline but the trading of Dennis Schroder and acquiring of Derrick White. Despite White’s shooting slump he has provided solid defense and shot creation for the Cs.

 Ime Udoka, the new Celtics coach, has instilled a sense of defensive intensity into the team that wasn’t present before. Point guard Marcus Smart and center Robert Williams III are heavy Defensive Player of the Year candidates and lead the Celtics in hustle plays on their respective sides of the court.

 As the season approaches the finish line with 12 games left to play, the Celtics are slotted in at the four seed in the East and prepare for another deep playoff run. The team is now in the hands of Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the future of Boston basketball.