Celtics<\/a> stood in a familiar place from one a year ago. They were the top team in the East and in the league and shot better than any rival through their 5-0 start. <\/p>\nThe Celtics have generated quality shots, carved out an offensive rebounding niche and kept their turnovers relatively low. A high three-point volume as a percentage of their total field goal attempts and efficiency (38.9%) had driven their No. 1 offense. Only the Clippers matched Boston\u2019s 59 eFG% through Monday. Slippage in shooting and other areas dropped them to No. 6 in offense (117.1), with 46.3% of their shots coming from deep.<\/p>\n
Joe Mazzulla recognized the familiar run and stressed repeating habits that created it.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou try to find small ways to reinvent them so they seem new and fun,\u201d he said earlier this month. \u201cAt the same time, understand that when we\u2019re at our best, we have to do these particular things. It\u2019s early. We\u2019ll go through a phase in the season where it\u2019s a little bit stale and we\u2019ll have to fight like hell to get out of it. That\u2019s how the season works and it\u2019s more about how quickly can we get out of those small moments and get back to what makes us really good.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Timberwolves\u2019 No. 1 defense took a bite out of Boston\u2019s offensive surge by holding them to 39.1% shooting, 28.2% from three and forcing 18 turnovers. Then, Philadelphia did the same (39.6% FG, 31.9% 3PT, 12 TO). Those losses knocked the Celtics into a tie for ninth in shooting (55.5 eFG%) and 14th in turnover rate (14.0%). They also highlighted the areas where the Celtics became reliant on for scoring early \u2014 the three, transition plays and an increasing number of post-ups and isolations. <\/p>\n
![\"Boston](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/FyK-CU7-jB2auU__Xlx4azzMR04=\/0x0:3832x2555\/1310x873\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_image\/image\/72853235\/1779431624.0.jpg\")