Stephen A. Smith on Celtics: ‘Most Lethal Starting 5 in the NBA’

Four out of the Celtics’ five starters scored 14 points or more in their 114-98 win against the Knicks on Monday.

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday, the Boston Celtics beat the New York Knicks to improve their record to 8-2 on the season and 5-0 at home.

Boston’s starting lineup thrived in the win, as it combined to score 97 of the team’s 114 points. Jayson Tatum led all starters with 35 points and shot 13-of-23 from the floor.

The day after the Celtics beat the Knicks, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith explained why he believes the Celtics have the “most lethal starting five in the NBA.”

"This is the most lethal starting five in the NBA."

—@stephenasmith on the Celtics pic.twitter.com/LPgYNbq4MH

— First Take (@FirstTake) November 14, 2023

“Did we know that the Celtics’ starting five is outscoring their opponents by 39 points per every 100 possessions?” Smith began. “This is the most lethal starting five in the National Basketball Association. By the way, they’re also the leading rebounding team in the association. The Celtics are legit. They’re my favorites to come out of the East and go to the Finals for a reason. And last night was the latest example of how they showed why.”

The Celtics’ victory over New York marked the end of a three-game homestand. The team will play its next four games on the road, starting with a matchup against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.