For most of the season, the Celtics’ success has been largely predicated on the team’s offense. They got off to a record breaking start in the first half of the season in that area, surpassing last year’s production which catapulted them to the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

"I think a lot of credit goes to our coaching staff and our player development staff," suggested Hauser.

Squeaky shoes are part of the symphony of a basketball game, when rubber soles rasp against the hardwood floors as players jab step, cut and pivot and defenders move their feet to stay in front of their assignment.

They started slow, but the Celtics turned up the defense, grabbed some rebounds, and ran away from the Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns shot just 36.7 percent from the field in their 97-81 loss to the Boston Celtics at Mortgage Matchup Center on Feb. 24.

"I think you saw the other night (against the Los Angeles Lakers) he was really good in the first half," said the Celtics coach.

I'm not saying the Spurs will do that, but if they don't it won't be because they're not ready. The West is just a torture chamber. Only one team can survive. But that's still a month and change down the road.