Celtics coach Ime Udoka praises Boston’s defense, says ‘everybody (is) covering each other’s back’

‘Understanding and accountability with each other has been great,’ says Udoka – but will it continue?

Perhaps more than any other aspect of their play, the Boston Celtics have cranked up their defensive intensity over their last two games, and the result has been a pair of much-needed wins over the Orlando Magic and a red-hot Miami Heat franchise that was at the top of the Eastern Conference standings at the time.

There are of course still mistakes being made in coverages, and plenty of other issues ranging from injury to shooting and more, but the ability for the team to buy into new head coach Ime Udoka’s switch-heavy system has paid off well for a team that got off to one of its worst starts in years before it did.

“Yeah, it’s been great,” related the Celtics coach about Boston’s defense in a recent media availability session ahead of the team’s next road game, a Saturday tilt with the Dallas Mavericks.