Boston Celtics: Can They Mount One Last Championship Charge?

Boston Celtics. 2012 NBA champs.

Two months ago, I would have thought someone was crazy for thinking the Celtics could make it back to the championship, but with a 15-5 record since All-Star break, the Celts have proved me wrong.

The Celtics have been flying below the radar in the Eastern Conference all season, playing in the shadows of the monsters known as the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls. However, after Sunday night's big win against the Heat, the Celtics have shown they are still capable of making a deep playoff run—and possibly going to the NBA Finals.

The Celtics are playing some of the best defense in the NBA right now. In fact, they are No. 2 in defensive efficiency—behind the Sixers. During the playoffs, the game slows down a bit and teams must be able to stop the half-court offense. The Celtics defense will be a problem for other teams, despite their rebounding troubles sans Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox.

Rajon Rondo is one of the truest point guards in the NBA, and he will be the one to carry the team to a championship run. The man is a "triple-double machine," registering in five triple-doubles—the most in the NBA—this season. That's the same number Isiah Thomas put up his entire career. Rondo brings an invaluable energy and aggressiveness to an aging Celtics team. 

After a lackluster first half of the season, Kevin Garnett is finally playing his best basketball in years. He is thriving at the center position in place of O'Neal and Wilcox. Not only is he more productive offensively, but he's also playing shutdown defense. The Big Ticket's aggressive play on both sides of the court will be essential heading into the postseason.

Paul Pierce, the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, averaged 25.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.5 assists last week. The leader of the Celtics can obviously still score at a high rate. He will need to keep it up for his team to make it deep in the playoffs.

Coach Doc Rivers said he is hopeful Ray Allen could be back as early as Wednesday from an ankle injury. In the meantime, Avery Bradley's outstanding all-around play has been a pleasant surprise for the Celtics.  

Above all, the Boston Celtics have experience. They also have Rivers. With the Heat and Sixers struggling and an unhealthy Derrick Rose, it seems like the other Eastern Conference contenders are experiencing heavy bumps in the road. The Celtics know their identity and understand what they have to do to win one more championship.