The defending champion Boston Celtics emerge from the All-Star break with a league-leading 44-11 record, and resume their Western swing on Thursday night in Utah. However, the Celtics are a differently constructed team than the one that won the NBA Championship last June.
The Celtics have chosen to go with Tony Allen at small forward, Leon Powe and Glenn Davis as the backup forwards and without a true backup point guard. They are also without veterans James Posey, PJ Brown and Sam Cassell from last year's roster. That may all change by Thursday's trade deadline, but even so, the Celtics appear to be a more vulnerable team this postseason.