NBA superstar Kevin Durant sends positive message to Celtics' Jayson Tatum amid Achilles rehab originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

"I think at the end of the day ... they just have to continue to put great possessions together," said Mazzulla.

Last season the Celtics ranked 29th in the NBA in pace, averaging 96.59 possessions per game. This season they are also 29th, but coach Joe Mazzulla does not view this metric as an accurate representation of overall pace.

Celtics trade idea ships Derrick White to scorching Western Conference contender originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Regarding the tanking aspect, however, head coach Joe Mazzulla didn't even want to bring that up, saying that he doesn't pay attention to it and that he has a responsibility to the fans in Boston and the players in Boston to go out every single night and do his best job to ensure the team has a chance to win.

The Philadelphia 76ers will take on the rival Boston Celtics on Friday to begin NBA Cup group play looking to stay unbeaten.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/celtics/onsi as Shocking Celtics Guard Has Become a Top Defender in NBA. A surprise Boston Celtics guard has emerged as, statistically, one of the best defenders in the league early into the season.

The former Celtics big man will have to work his way into Portland’s rotation. The Blazers have leaned on Donovan Clingan as their starter thus far, with Duop Reath and first-round pick Yang Hansen coming off the bench. It’s unclear how Williams fits in the front court, but getting him back on the court is still a positive sign.