Credit score the Los Angeles Clippers. Let’s tip our hats to the Lakers, too. After each LA groups demolished the Celtics on the parquet flooring, they’ve since gone on their longest win streak of seven video games.
Let’s get the qualifier out of the way in which first: they haven’t been the most important competitors. Memphis, Atlanta, Washington, Miami (with out Jimmy Butler), Brooklyn twice, and Chicago aren’t precisely the cream of the NBA crop, however contemplating the wins got here through the doldrums of the season heading into the All-Star break, they didn’t lose a recreation to boredom and/or fatigue. Per Celtics Stats, they’re 22-1 towards under-.500 groups.
Listed below are another numbers on the Celtics’ spectacular stretch:
Jayson Tatum is averaging 28-9-7
For no matter purpose, after the All-Star Sport, Jayson Tatum has been shoved into the highlight. Positive, he thinks he’s the most effective participant within the league, and through this stretch, it’s laborious to disagree with him. Most Worthwhile Participant isn’t just about scoring a bunch factors anymore (he’s fifth with 1436). With present candidates appearing as offensive hubs for his or her groups (suppose Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic), creating offense on your teammates has change into simply as vital. The award may as properly be renamed Most Worthwhile Playmaker. To that time, Tatum has change into a superb level ahead by weaponizing his scoring gravity by driving and posting extra, collapsing the protection, making the move out of double groups.
42% from behind the arc
In a phrase, “fireplace.” Over the past seven video games, they’re nonetheless main the NBA in three-point makes an attempt (43.1 3FGA per recreation) and making them on the third highest clip (40.7%).
24 shares
By these seven wins, Derrick White and Jrue Vacation have worn out 24 opposing groups’ possessions with fifteen steals and 9 blocks. These performs aren’t simply good defensive performs — they’re vitality shifters.
Dominating the third quarter
Keep in mind when the staff would crater after halftime? In January, the Celtics have been a -10.8(!) web score, getting outscored by 51 factors. To this point in February, they’re crushing groups by practically 27 factors per 100 possessions. That hints to a extra centered approached.
7-game lead within the East
Coming down the stretch of 82 video games, that is the place it issues. With a seven-game lead on the two-seed Cleveland Cavaliers with 26 video games to go, they’ve obtained room to relaxation up earlier than the playoffs. To place that into perspective, that cushion is bigger than the 6.5-game lead that the Cavs have over the 8-seeded Miami Warmth.
With 4 back-to-backs remaining within the common season (and the addition of Xavier Tillman Sr.), meaning ample relaxation for Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. It received’t be straightforward, although. After enjoying in New York on Saturday, the staff returns house for a three-game homestand, however after that, the Celtics play 12 of their subsequent 15 video games away from TD Backyard.
19.1 web score
That’s, properly, loopy. If Boston can keep this stage of Mazzulla Ball by the tip of the yr, they’ll end as the best offense of all time. Having a nasty protection helps, too. They’re a top-10 defensive rebounding staff and with Horford and Porzingis on the ground on the identical time, the Celtics boast a 100.0 defensive score of their double massive look. Don’t be stunned if we see lots of that look in April, Could, and June.
Seven down, seven up
As talked about, the final seven video games haven’t come towards playoff competitors precisely. Nonetheless, the subsequent seven will show to be one other tough stretch:
@ New York KnicksPhiladelphia 76ersDallas MavericksGolden State Warriors@ Cleveland Cavaliers@ Denver Nuggets@ Phoenix Suns
Realistically, we’re in all probability not taking a look at a 14-game profitable streak when March tenth rolls round. As a lot as profitable issues, it’ll be extra about habits. Can Tatum proceed to be this well-rounded? Can the staff carry this scorching capturing into the spring? Will they be nearly as good on protection as they’re on offense? Time will inform.
