Will Boston be able to compete?
This may occasionally sound like a dumb query, however there’s some advantage to it. Will Boston be able to compete in opposition to a Golden State staff lacking a few of its largest names?
Stephen Curry and Celtics champion Al Horford had been each out in Golden State’s win in opposition to the Wizards on Monday.
Golden State began De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard, Draymond Inexperienced and Gui Santos. No disrespect to that group — they’re all strong position gamers, however they don’t have the expertise to beat Boston if the Celtics take the sport critically.
Lately, there have been video games the place opponents had been lacking two or three starters, but the Celtics nonetheless struggled greater than anticipated. On the finish of the day, rotation gamers are nonetheless excellent, and so they’re competing for extra enjoying time and doubtlessly their subsequent contract.
It’s crucial that Boston doesn’t take a look at the Warriors’ lineup and assume it is going to be a stroll within the park. In the event that they do, they might discover themselves in bother late within the recreation.
Will Jayson Tatum proceed to play greater than half-hour?
Since returning to the lineup, Jayson Tatum performed precisely 27 minutes in every of his first three video games in opposition to Dallas, Cleveland and San Antonio.
Towards Washington, he checked out on the 27-minute mark, however head coach Joe Mazzulla reinserted Tatum and the starters because the Wizards made a run. That marked the primary time this season Tatum surpassed half-hour.
On Monday, Tatum performed 32 minutes in a win in opposition to Phoenix in a recreation that was shut late. The query now’s whether or not he’ll log 30-plus minutes for a 3rd straight recreation.
The opponent might issue into that call. If Boston builds a cushty lead, it could make sense to restrict his enjoying time. Nevertheless, with playoff seeding nonetheless at stake, a detailed recreation might push the teaching employees to increase him and consider how his physique responds.
It wouldn’t be shocking if Tatum is held underneath half-hour, however the staff seems to be doing a deliberate job steadily ramping him up to make sure he’s in recreation form for the playoffs.
Can Boston proceed to guard dwelling court docket?
After finishing their highway journey, this recreation marks Boston’s third straight dwelling recreation earlier than touring to Memphis on Friday. The Celtics will then return to TD Backyard for 3 extra video games in opposition to stiffer competitors in Minnesota, Oklahoma Metropolis, and Atlanta.
Residence-court benefit issues. If Boston hopes to catch Detroit within the standings, it should proceed to win at dwelling. The Celtics are presently 23-10 at TD Backyard and have difficult matchups forward in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis and Minnesota.
Whereas these video games gained’t be straightforward, enjoying at dwelling supplies an edge. The Warriors, nonetheless, current a possible lure recreation if Boston appears previous them — and Memphis — with two Western Convention contenders looming.
