The C's starting lineup shuffle
To hammer home that fact, the Celtics have utilized a whopping 12 different starting lineups this season through 31 games, which ESPN Stats and Info notes is tied for fourth-most in the NBA this season. The Nets have utilized a league-high 16 starting lineup variations; the Bobcats and Nuggets have gone with 13; and the Celtics and Hornets have used 12. Maybe not surprisingly, those five teams have a combined record of 54-106 and only the Nuggets are currently above .500 at 18-15 overall.
It's also worth noting that the Celtics are a mere 8-7 even when they have had their Big Four on the floor to start the game (going 6-6 with Jermaine O'Neal; 0-1 with Brandon Bass; 1-0 with Chris Wilcox; and 1-0 with Greg Stiemsma). But you can certainly make the case that this team needs its entire core healthy in order to be competitive and that simply hasn't happened very often with Celtics players combining to miss a total of 55 due to injuries so far this season.
Already down Rajon Rondo due to suspension and with Jermaine O'Neal (sprained left wrist) and Chris Wilcox (right adductor strain) nursing day-to-day injuries, the Celtics might be forced to use a 13th variation of their starting lineup Wednesday night during the pre-All-Star finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
A glance at the 12 other lineups used this season, with their record (with help from numbers maintained by Celtics' media relations):
PODCASTS
Play Podcast ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney gives his thoughts on Mike Trout's cycle and compares Trout's production with Miguel Cabrera's. Olney also says Jacoby Ellsbury's lack of production is putting the Red Sox in a tough spot and explains why Cole Hamels' poor start isn't too much of a concern.
Play Podcast Indians manager Terry Francona dishes on his return to baseball, joining Cleveland, Miguel Cabrera, his time with the Red Sox, MLB's usage of instant replay and more.
Play Podcast ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter covers Rob Gronkowski's latest forearm surgery, the possibility of a new league schedule, Super Bowls L and LI, Charles Woodson and more.
Play Podcast ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose talks about big wins for the Bruins and Sharks on Thursday night and compares the end of Wayne Gretzky's career to the end of Michael Jordan's career.
Play Podcast Adnan Virk and Chris Broussard discuss another surgery on Rob Gronkowski's broken forearm and wonder if Gronkowski's inability to heal from this injury is a red flag for the rest of Gronkowski's career.
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Paul Pierce
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | K. Garnett | 7.8 | ||||||||||
| Assists | R. Rondo | 11.1 | ||||||||||
| Steals | R. Rondo | 1.8 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | K. Garnett | 0.9 | ||||||||||






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