Celtics eyeing playoff run, finishing season among best in the league
By John Canady
There’s no doubt that the Boston Celtics have been one of the best teams in the league this season. With the start of the postseason imminent, it comes as no surprise to see the Celtics as a serious title contender.
Boston started off the season strong and ran into some midseason struggles. But since then, the Celtics have been one of the top teams. However, more attention has been focused on the team’s struggles than their successes.
The Cs were sitting in the driver’s seat at the start of the All-Star break with a league-best record of 42-17. Following the break, Boston ran through a bit of a rough patch and even found themselves on a three-game losing streak at one point. But now, the Celtics are starting to look like the team we remember and continue to show why they should be considered one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA.
The Boston Celtics are finishing the season among Association’s best
In the final month of the season, the Celtics certainly look like a team ready to make a deep playoff run and redeem themselves from last season’s disappointing ending. Boston ranked near or at the top of the league in nearly every category.
Boston ranks within the top two in both offense and defense. The only team to do that in NBA history is the Golden State Warriors, who did it twice. The first came in the 2014-15 season, when the Warriors beat the Cavaliers 4-2 in the NBA Finals. The second time came in the team’s historic 73-9 season.
Everyone who pays attention to the NBA knows it’s not how you start the season, but how you end it. Ironically enough, the Celtics started the year off hot and are finishing the regular season with a purpose. The Celtics now look to finish their strong season with the ultimate cherry on top: an NBA championship.
With one of the deepest benches in the league and two of the top three scoring forwards in the league, Boston is poised to make noise in the playoffs.