Celtics protects house courtroom towards Magic, already an enchancment from final 12 months

The 2024-25 NBA Playoffs are already off to a greater begin for the Boston Celtics than final 12 months after the Celtics gained each of their opening video games of Spherical 1.

Because the two-seed, they earned the best to have house courtroom benefit till the group reaches the convention finals (assuming that you simply play the No. 1 seed). For many groups who begin the collection on the highway, the aim is to win one of many two highway video games to flip house courtroom benefit. Within the first spherical final 12 months, the Miami Warmth took Sport 2 after Boston gained the primary sport by 20. After dropping the second sport by 10, all of the momentum appeared to have shifted to Miami, particularly after they defeated Boston the 12 months prior in seven video games, a collection the place Boston stored dropping at house. Fortunately for Boston, they gained the subsequent three video games to shut out the collection.

Within the second spherical, it was déjà vu another time. Boston took Sport 1 by 25 factors after which took the foot off the gasoline in Sport 2 and misplaced by 24 factors to the Cleveland Cavaliers. It created a sample of letting ‘inferior’ opponents again into the collection.

When the Orlando Magic gained their Play-In sport, my thoughts went again to the earlier matchups towards the Magic. A lot of the video games had been bodily in the course of the common season and that physicality has continued into the playoffs.

I didn’t anticipate the Celtics to brush Orlando and in each video games, they had been in it till the top. However profitable at house is tremendous vital if the group needs to get again to the Finals. In Sport 1, with the vitality from the group, it felt just like the Celtics would have sufficient to win.

Nevertheless, within the second sport, the Magic upped the physicality and with out Jayson Tatum, Boston had to verify they didn’t get punked on their house courtroom. Joe Mazzulla is all about studying from previous errors and capitalizing and profitable the opening two video games to go to Orlando up 2-0 is a superb lesson discovered.

Not solely is it useful for Boston to win their house video games, however it might probably additionally deflate their opposition’s hopes. Within the opening sport, Paolo Banchero had 36 factors on 14-27 taking pictures whereas teammate Franz Wagner netted 23. The 2 of them had been making each robust basket, however they nonetheless ended up falling brief. On Wednesday, it was the same story,; they threw their greatest punch at Boston and it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient. Now, they return house in a gap needing a win.

Kristaps Porzingis, who’s beloved by the Boston devoted, talked about taking part in on the parquet.

“There’s no higher place to do it. The most important stage, and getting all of this love. That is what I dreamed of,” Porzingis stated.

Residence courtroom is significant for Boston for a lot of causes. Nevertheless, one motive that not many individuals are speaking about is due to their away file. The Celtics had the very best highway file in all the NBA at 33-8, which is unbelievable. Though the Celtics are highway warriors, the extra they will win at TD Backyard, it makes it even simpler and doesn’t put that stress on them pondering they should win a certain quantity of video games on the highway.

This matchup is way from over however with a 2-0 lead, the stress is on Orlando to return again to Boston with the collection tied whereas Boston will look to return to Boston having superior to the second spherical.