When the common season started, many people (myself included) naively believed that the Celtics would coast to a 60-plus-win common season, earn the No. 1 seed with out a lot resistance and head into the playoffs because the clear favourite.
When Boston began 21-5, that collective sense of invincibility and false safety reached a brand new stage. A repeat was inevitable, and nothing might cease them.
Ever since that 21-5 begin, nevertheless, the Celtics are 11-10. That’s proper, 11-10. They’re now 32-15 total – properly behind the Cavaliers and at risk of falling to the No. 3 seed with the Knicks gaining floor.
The Celtics have moments the place they appear like the powerhouse workforce everyone knows they are often (see: Warriors), then others the place they appear out of kinds and like a shell of themselves (see: Lakers).
Celtics shot 39% from 3 Monday night time, completed with an efficient area objective share of 58.1% and nonetheless misplaced. How uncommon has that been?… pic.twitter.com/u4d4LXTmyV
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) January 28, 2025
I’m right here to let you know that it’s formally time to recalibrate your common season expectations. Sixty wins is very unlikely, a shot on the 1-seed is basically gone and the Celtics are again with the frequent people in the meanwhile after a quick stint as NBA royalty.
I’m additionally right here to let you know, that’s OK.
Significantly, it’s OK. If the Celtics go, let’s say, 21-14 the remainder of the best way, end 53-29 and earn the No. 2 seed, that’s simply wonderful. All it takes is one playoff win in Cleveland within the Jap Convention Finals to negate the Cavaliers’ dominant common season.
I firmly consider that when the postseason arrives, the Celtics will rise to the event and play to their potential. They’re probably the most proficient and full workforce within the NBA, and traditionally, probably the most proficient and full groups usually win the championship.
The Cavaliers, Thunder, Nuggets, Knicks and Lakers are all authentic contenders, however there’s no workforce within the league with the next ceiling than the Celtics.
The way in which I have a look at it, the common season within the NBA mirrors March Insanity by way of unpredictability. On any given night time, identical to the No. 15 Cal State Northridge Matadors can get sizzling and stun No. 2 Kentucky, the Fifteenth-seeded Wizards can get sizzling and stun the No. 2 Celtics.
It’s not going, however it may occur, and much more so within the NBA with the expertise at an all-time excessive traditionally. Offenses are extra dynamic than ever, and defenses have consequently taken a step again. All it takes is one robust night time and an upset is attainable.
However, I nonetheless keep that it’s actually, actually tough to beat the Celtics 4 occasions in seven video games. If the Cavaliers, Thunder or one other workforce do it, we’ll all must tip our cap and revel in our summer time. I truthfully simply don’t see it taking place, although.
In the event you restrict the Celtics to 25 p.c 3-point taking pictures one night time and steal Recreation 1, there’s a superb opportunity Boston goes to come back again the subsequent night time and catch hearth to take Recreation 2.
In the event you restrict Jayson Tatum in Recreation 3, there’s a fantastic shot Jaylen Brown goes to take over and can the Celtics to victory. In the event you in some way hold each Brown and Tatum in examine in Recreation 4, Jrue Vacation and Derrick White will probably be prepared. Oh, and there’s this 7-foot-2-inch basketball robotic man, Kristaps Porzingis, who drains deep 3’s and exploits mismatches within the paint.
Celtics ninth blown 4th-quarter lead this season, matching final season’s complete.
seventh time blowing a ten+ level lead this season (had 8 final season)
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 28, 2025
In the event you in some way cease all these guys, you need to fear about Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet. The expertise on this roster is simply ridiculous. There’s an excessive amount of firepower, an excessive amount of chemistry and an excessive amount of perception.
They’ve carried out it earlier than, and I really consider they’ll do it once more.
So, my recommendation to you is to cease sweating the small stuff and have some religion. A loss to the Rockets in January, as perplexing because it was, isn’t the tip of the world. What issues most is staying wholesome, staying the course and constructing momentum for the postseason.
When it comes round, the Celtics will probably be prepared. They all the time are, and now, they know what it takes to complete the job.
