One department that has been a major boon for the Celtics is their 3-point game, where the disparity between Boston and its opponents is stunning.
That played out in a big way at Philadelphia on Tuesday, when Boston's 105-74 win served notice that a divisional race may never even get started.
The C's made 14-of-20 from long distance in the affair while the Sixers missed 15 in a row before rookie Jrue Holiday made one in the closing moments. That represents a 39-point disparity, not far from the final margin.
All but one of the 3s came from Boston's bench, which was a remarkable 13-of-16 beyond the arc.
"The second unit, I mean, they were phenomenal," said coach Doc Rivers. "The first unit struggled in the first half and the second unit came in and gave us that lead."
Numbers aside, it begins with personnel and strategy. Although the C's starters include Ray Allen, second all-time in the NBA in made 3-pointers, and a scorching Paul Pierce, the bench is thriving off penetration and kick-outs to the likes of Rasheed Wallace and Eddie House.
Wallace leads the team in 3-pointers made (15) and attempted (33). House is 10-for-21. Yet it is a man who didn't take one 3-pointer against Philly and has made one all year, Marquis Daniels, who makes it happen.
"He's our point guard out there with that group," Rivers said. "He went through a stretch where Eddie and Rasheed got those 3s, and I thought Marquis orchestrated the whole thing. His basketball IQ jumps off for the coaching staff, but it's so subtle I don't think people see … he just does so much for us."
On Tuesday, the Celtics actually trailed 12-4 early and went nearly six minutes without a point with the starters on the floor in the first quarter.
They battled back to take a two-point lead at the end of the first and then turned to the 3-ball in the second.
Wallace opened it with one 3-pointer, House followed with another and then the two exchanged long bombs before the midpoint of the quarter to give Boston its first double-digit advantage at 31-21.
From there it was just a matter of staying hot and making sure the Sixers continued to struggle, something Celtics opponents are familiar with.
Excluding Sunday, when the Hornets were 13-of-28 from beyond the arc in giving Boston one of their few tests this season, foes are a ghastly 15.5 percent (9-of-58) from 3-point range.
Although all those other numbers look nice, this last one is what keeps Rivers smiling.
"We're going to win because of our defense. Always," Rivers said. "No matter how well our offense plays, we're going to win games because of our defense."
