The Boston Celtics have won 4 of their last 5 games after winning in blowout fashion, 120-95, against the Pacers, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way. That is back-to-back 20+ point wins for Boston, who are clicking at the right time with eight games to go. Similar to last season, where a last push helped them to become the number one seed in the East in the NBA playoffs.
The Celtics are looking to make a late push for the number one overall seed in the NBA playoffs. Now 74 games into the NBA season, Boston holds a record of 51-23 and is on the hunt for the 18th championship in franchise history. They are sitting in second place in the East behind the Milwaukee Bucks.
Boston Celtics Looking for Championship No. 18
Scars From 2022
Last season, after starting 20-21, the Boston Celtics turned it around, going 31-10 in the second half of the year. Good enough for the second seed in the East and a 51-31 record overall. This set a record for the best record for a team that was below .500 halfway through the year.
The improbable run continued in the NBA playoffs as the Celtics would sweep the Brooklyn Nets in four games. Having clinched the second seed when they faced the Bucks, they held home-court advantage. After Milwaukee won game 5, going up 3-2 in the series, the Celtics were able to snatch game 6 and return home for the deciding game. Boston was able to pull off the comeback and defeat Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in seven games.
Boston followed that thrilling series with another against the top-seeded Miami Heat. This time the Boston Celtics had a chance to close it out at home but fell to the Heat in game six, tying the series at three a piece. However, even as underdogs on the road, the Celtics went into Miami-Dade Arena and got the win that clinched the Eastern Conference Finals.
The journey led them to Golden State in the NBA Finals against a red-hot Warriors team that beat the Mavericks in just five games. After stealing game one at Golden State, the Celtics could overcome the championship pedigree of the Warriors falling in six games.
Redemption
The pain of losing in the NBA Finals fueled a long grueling off-season for everyone in the Boston Celtics organization. The two superstars did not sit around and feel sorry about themselves after the loss. They got back to work. Jayson Tatum said that coming into the season, he felt the best he had felt at the beginning of the year. In addition, Jaylen Brown was using innovative workouts to perform at an even higher level in 2023.
The Boston Celtics and General Manager Brad Stevens looked to improve the squad for the upcoming season. The player who has made the biggest impact is Malcolm Brogdon, who would be starting on pretty much every other team. As predicted, Brogdon has been sensational this season, posting 14.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 3.8 apg. The efficiency is on another level. Malcolm Brogdon is shooting 45.1% from downtown, which is third-best in the league.
Season Review
Boston went into the 2023 All-Star Break, holding the best record in the NBA at 42-17. Jayson Tatum was on a rampage before the All-Star Break. Ranked as 4th in the MVP race averaging 30.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, and 4.5 apg leading the Celtics in scoring. Jaylen Brown, his partner in crime, posted superstar numbers as well 26.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 3.2 apg.
The strong start to the season was exactly what the Celtics needed going 18-4 in the first 22 games. This came after the Ime Udoka drama and the naming of Joe Mazulla as interim head coach. Mazulla was named the permanent head coach in February and reached 50 wins in just 73 games.
With the Bucks’ loss to the Nuggets, the Celtics move within two games of the top seed. The importance of that game is huge because Boston has the chance to steal a game from Milwaukee this Thursday. On top of that, the 76ers lost to the Suns last night, which gives the Celtics a two-game cushion over Philadelphia for the second seed.
The Homestretch
Boston faces San Antonio tonight, looking to continue their momentum and win their third game in a row. With only eight games left, the Celtics cannot afford any slip-ups. Joe Mazzula will look to pass Ime Udoka’s win total from 2022 with a win against the Spurs.
In order for the Celtics to make a stretch run in the NBA playoffs, they need to begin clicking immediately. Jayson Tatum has been incredible in leading this Boston team. Since the All-Star game, when Tatum set a new record for points scored, he has averaged 28.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 14 games. Jaylen Brown has been outstanding as well for Boston. Brown has put up 27.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 4.0 apg in the 14 games since the All-Star Game.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will lead this team to either an early-round exit or a deep NBA playoff run. Whatever the result, it will be determined by the two superstars play.
