NBA 2017-18: The 5 Best Defenses of the Regular Season

#1 Boston Celtics - 101.5 points allowed per 100 possessions

The Celtics had the best defense in the league on a per-possession basis

It ran mighty close right till the end, but the Boston Celtics have the distinction of being ranked as the best defensive team in the league right from the end of gameweek 1 till 28. They ranked first in points allowed per 100 possessions, second in opponent field-goal percentage and first in opponent 3-point percentage.

They have great defenders spread out all over the court. Aron 'All of Australia' Baynes was a sturdy rim protector for the entire season, and a crucial component of their playoff success. Al Horford is one of the most versatile and skilled defenders of this generation. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart are All-Defensive team caliber wings, while Terry Rozier earned his Scary Terry nickname on account of his aggressive defense.

Jayson Tatum and Marcus Morris are utterly capable of locking down their primary assignments and are versatile enough to guard 1-guards through 4-forwards. The Celtics are a great defensive outfit from top to bottom, and coach Brad Stevens has successfully carried the defense-first mentality of the franchise that helped them to such great success in the 60s, and in the years since.

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