Chemistry, defense drive Celtics' success

Not entirely comfortable reviewing the first six weeks of the season, the Celtics nonetheless go back to that point when discussing the origins of their current five-game winning streak. The Celtics contend their recent run of success has its roots in the close and not-so-close losses that resulted in a slow start. When Greg Oden in the lottery seemed more realistic than Boston in the playoffs, the Celtics were figuring out how to play defense and building chemistry.

Those are two obvious reasons for the Celtics' win streak and rise to the top of the Atlantic Division. During their five-game run, the Celtics have held opponents to 42 percent shooting (175 for 418) from the floor and 95.4 points per game. Before the streak, opponents shot 46 percent (648 for 1,400) from the floor and averaged 101.7 points per game. The Celtics are now playing as a more cohesive unit, looking less like a collection of individuals with each player trying to do too much.

"We're doing what we have to do, and that's defense," said Al Jefferson. "Defense is taking us there. We're just trusting each other on defense, being there for each other. Our confidence is way up. But we're taking it one game at a time because we haven't been here in almost two years. You've got to be focused because teams are trying to knock you off. You can't relax because you've won three games or four or five in a row."

Without downplaying the Celtics' best stretch since a seven-game winning streak from late February to early March 2005, the wins have come during a relatively easy portion of the schedule. Boston should beat New York, Philadelphia, and Charlotte, at home or on the road. Wins over New Jersey and Denver were pleasant surprises, though not entirely unexpected given the way both teams have underachieved so far.

But it was the Celtics' triumph over the Nets Dec. 9 that may have turned around the season. When a team comes back from a 20-point first-quarter deficit and wins on a buzzer-beater, it thinks anything is possible.

"We believe that we can win now," said Paul Pierce. "We believe that when games are close we're not out of it. It started with the New Jersey game. We were down 20. We turned it around and we won it. We feel like we've got the offense. We just have to get stops and look at our mistakes -- our turnovers, our execution -- and settle those things down. We're playing well, but it's just a start. Getting to .500 [is our next goal], and building on that."

Building on positive results, being resilient, and overcoming adversity have been important for the Celtics as they deal with a depleted roster. The injury list includes Theo Ratliff (lower back), Michael Olowokandi (abdominal tear), Kendrick Perkins (left foot plantar fasciitis), Ryan Gomes (right calf strain), and Wally Szczerbiak (sprained right ankle). Gomes should be back for Wednesday night's game against Golden State. None of the other players is expected to return until the end of the Celtics' upcoming trip West, or even later. But that may not be entirely bad news.

Executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers may not agree, but Boston is sometimes better with fewer players competing for minutes. The younger players especially seem to appreciate knowing they will receive regular time. Give Tony Allen 48 minutes and he produces the best performance of his NBA career. Put Allen in and out of the rotation and who knows what will happen. When Rivers has a relatively healthy team (i.e. Gomes, Perkins, and Szczerbiak all available), it will be interesting to see how well the injured players are reintegrated. It will not be easy, and it may not be pretty.

But the returns of Perkins and Szczerbiak appear at least 10 days away. Before then, the Celtics have a good chance of extending their winning streak with the struggling Warriors and Sixers coming to town this week. Then, after a three-day break for the holidays, the Celtics start a seven-day, five-game road trip in Denver. After Saturday night's brawl between Denver and New York at Madison Square Garden, the Nuggets are sure to be shorthanded, making them a less formidable opponent at high altitude.

Shira Springer can be reached at springer@globe.com.