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Boston Celtics Need a Special Christmas Day Performance

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 23: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics calls a play during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on December 23, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 23: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics calls a play during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on December 23, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics can put their awful stretch behind them with a special Christmas day performance

The Boston Celtics have finally reached the end of the most taxing stretch of the season. There has been no practice time, far too many back to backs and even multiple stints of three games in four night. The Celtics went a stretch of playing eight games in 12 days, and they were not able to overcome their problems on a consistent basis.

The Celtics were rotating wins and loses, and were not able to instill any real confidence in any of their wins. That was until they got their revenge on the Chicago Bulls. A few weeks ago it would have meant much less to beat that Bulls team, but the Celtics ran into one of the hottest teams in the league, and handled them the way they were supposed to.

The Celtics finally looked like the team that went on that crazy streak to start the season, but this bad stretch is still far from behind them. The Celtics are going to have their toughest matchup in a while against the Washington Wizards, and even if the Celtics have different faces, I get the feeling the Wizards players are not going to care who is actually suiting up.

This could be the next rendition of a serious rivalry in the East, and it is the exact opportunity the Celtics need to get their season back on track. All eyes will be on them, they are bringing momentum from the Bulls win, and this can finally set them up to get back to practice and build on that top seed in the Eastern Conference.

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With Brad Stevens, the Celtics will probably look at this as just another game, because that is what it is. There are no season determinations simply because it is on Christmas, but this is the opportunity they need to shut down the doubters again.

Everyone has been questioning the legitimacy of the Celtics this year, and there have been good reasons for that. Those doubters will never fully disappear, but nobody will be saying anything if the Celtics come out with their best on Christmas day.

There are still issues with Marcus Morris, but the Celtics are as healthy as they can expect to be at this point. They still have not been able to fully recover from the brutal stretch, but they had a night off, and they know they will have plenty of rest for the remainder of the season after this one game.

The Celtics can make their first great statement of the season since their great streak ended, and there is no better setting to do that in TD Garden on Christmas. On top of everything, this is the first ever Christmas day game being played on the greatest home court in the NBA.

The Celtics know a win is a win here, but nobody wants them going back to the inconsistent struggles that defined this stretch. The Celtics want to come out functioning well on both ends, and using the same kind of balance that allowed them to bring the Bulls down to earth.

The Wizards may not be a powerhouse in the league, but they always show up against the Celtics, and just a decent game is not going to be enough against them. The Celtics know this is their game to win, and they would be able to make up for a lot of disappointment by giving the home crowd a win on Christmas.

The Wizards have two players in Bradley Beal and John Wall that will always be a problem. They have the individual defenders to be confident in the matchups with Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown, but they can easily destroy this game. If the Celtics come out and play like they have over the last couple of weeks, people will still have to wonder about this team’s ability to bounce back.

That first win against the Bulls is a great start, but they have to put in a lot more work to make up for how bad they have been. The Cavaliers and Raptors are right behind them in the standings, and they have room to make up having played far fewer games.

Next: Balanced attack Against Bulls is Something Celtics need

It may be a stretch to say this is the most important game of the season to this point, but if the Celtics come out and show some of their real potential on Christmas day, it could set them up for another great run after they get that chance to settle and get back on the practice court.

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