We are witnessing a team that is defying all preseason pundit predictions in the 2019-20 Boston Celtics. If these three trends continue, the trajectory will continue to be upwards.
With their recent 114-103 victory over the Utah Jazz–on the second night of a back-to-back after a victory in Portland–the Boston Celtics are continuing to create momentum for a run at the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Once again, Jayson Tatum was a superstar. Yes, despite what Nick Wright from Fox Sports has to say, Tatum is providing max-contract value each game as he embarks on what has been a historic run.
Jayson Tatum in February:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 27, 2020
30.5 PPG
51.4 FG%
50.0 3P%
Only one other Celtic has averaged 30 PPG on 50% shooting in a month in the NBA three-point era; Larry Bird. pic.twitter.com/vCpeZI7Lje
That has been a season-long trend, but has been amplified in recent times. Tatum’s recent stretch of scoring 30 points in four of his last five contests (the other being a 28 point outing) has propelled him to a greater spotlight.
With Kemba Walker missing the last few games with a knee ailment, Tatum has more than kept the Boston Celtics afloat. In a season that needed to see Walker have a legitimate sidekick, several rotation members have made leaps in their games…none even close to Tatum’s.
Today, the Houdini is going to spot out three broader trends than just the individual greatness of the C’s newest All-Star. If these three trends continue, the sky (or at minimum a potential Eastern Conference Finals berth) is the limit: