Boston Celtics: 3 of the toughest games of the 2021-22 season
By Chris Conte
The Boston Celtics’ dance partner in the 2020 Eastern Conference Championship
The Boston Celtics’ first test will be against the Miami Heat on November 4th. The Celts will be on the road on the second night of a back-to-back against a conference rival racing for the same position they are.
With both teams loaded with talent and headed for the same destination, it will be critical to pull out wins if a tie-breaker is necessary to determine seeding.
Back-to-back ups are a testament to focus, grit, and determination. Last season the Boston Celtics lacked all three from a game-to-game basis and thus, lost most of their doubleheaders. Although they were dealing with injuries, and their roster was already set up to fail at first sight of resistance, the players’ body language and decision-making were unacceptable.
There’s a reason Stevens sought out veteran players and a strong voice in Ime Udoka. Those three characteristics are the bread and butter of Celtics basketball, and to succeed at the highest level, the Cs need to implement those three traits.
The Lakers pose a threat of attaining Banner #18 first
The next test for the Boston Celtics will be against their cross-town rivals, the LA Lakers. The Lakers have loaded up on veteran talent beside Lebron James and Anthony Davis, trading for Russell Westbrook and signing every player drafted before 2010 that they could find. On paper, their roster’s fit is far from ideal, but if all three of their biggest cogs are rolling simultaneously, they’ll be one of the most challenging teams to beat in basketball.
The Celtics will get them after a three-day break during their west coast road trip on the front end of a back-to-back where they play the Clippers the following night. Winning these games is crucial since the next game is often a loss. The Cs will have to show some heart against the Lakers since the West Coast drag will be starting to creep upon them. I doubt Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will show up, considering they turn into Kobe and MJ when they play either LA team, but the two can not win alone. Boston’s supporting cast will have to step up if the Cs want any chance of putting another win in the win column.