What happened: Jayson Tatum credited Paul George's defensive disruption following Sunday's road victory in Orlando. Tatum highlighted George's perimeter awareness and active hands as crucial elements down the stretch. The stops helped seal the win in the closing minutes.

Why it matters: The defensive cohesion underscores the rapid integration during their first season as Celtics teammates. Having two versatile two-way wings provides Boston with matchup flexibility against elite Eastern Conference scoring tandems. That defensive baseline relieves fourth-quarter scoring pressure across the rotation.

What to watch: Boston continues its early-season schedule aiming to maintain momentum across the current road stretch.