{"id":169363,"date":"2025-12-10T07:17:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T12:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=169363"},"modified":"2025-12-10T07:17:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T12:17:19","slug":"the-results-are-in-celtics-pass-test-with-a-grade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/12\/10\/the-results-are-in-celtics-pass-test-with-a-grade\/","title":{"rendered":"The Results Are In: Celtics Pass Test With A+ Grade"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOSTON<\/strong> \u2014 The Celtics<\/a> would be the surprise of the East if not for the Pistons<\/a>\u2019 revival. Boston sits third in the East in a season many expected them to throw away because of Jayson Tatum\u2019s<\/a> long recovery from Achilles surgery. A supposed gap year has shifted into real playoff contention. Their recent stretch served as a major test, and they passed with an A+.<\/p>\n

The Results Are In: Celtics Pass Test With A+ Grade<\/h2>\n

Overachievement Turns Into Sustained Momentum<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Dec 7, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) tries to dribble around Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I wrote<\/a> my one-month check-in a few weeks ago, I noted Boston\u2019s striking overachievement. The team has only improved since then. The Celtics own the league\u2019s second-best<\/a> offense, trailing only the high-flying Nuggets<\/a>. They also hold a top-five net rating. Mazzulla-ball continues to drive winning as they lead the NBA in three-point makes<\/a> despite some early-season shooting struggles.<\/p>\n

A Difficult Stretch Begins at Home<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Over the last two weeks, Boston faced its toughest run of the season. It began with a two-game homestand against Orlando and Detroit, both top-four seeds in the East. Orlando missed several key players, including Paolo Banchero<\/a> and Jalen Suggs<\/a>, but Boston still handled business. The Celtics led for nearly the entire game and built a margin as large as 26 points.
\nThey did not enjoy similar injury luck against Detroit. The Pistons<\/a> had their full ten-man rotation. Boston, meanwhile, missed its premier big, Neemias Queta<\/a>. Yet the Celtics overcame Cade Cunningham\u2019s<\/a> 42 points and secured a clutch win.<\/p>\n

A Narrow Loss in a Coin-Flip Game<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Then came the only loss in this run, a tight matchup against Minnesota. Jaylen Brown<\/a> showed leadership again by scoring 41 points. The result turned on an unlucky sequence. Both teams have struggled in close games; Boston sits at 7-7<\/a> in the clutch, while Minnesota stands at 6-5. The final shot came from Anthony Edwards<\/a>, who hit one of the wildest game-winners of the season. If you replay that look 100 times, he might make it 10. The Celtics were inches from an eight-game winning streak.<\/p>\n