The Boston Celtics didn’t get off to the best start in the holiday homestand, but they couldn’t have asked for better.
After losing the first three of seven games at the TD Garden (two to Orlando and one to Indiana), the Cs will switch for a four-game winning streak against Minnesota, Milwaukee, Houston and the LA Clippers on Thursday. switched. night.
Each of the four wins felt important in their own way. This was Boston’s first step out of the rut. Then there was a dominant Christmas victory over the Bucks. It was a 139-118 statement victory in a battle between the top two teams in the NBA at the time. Then there was a 24-point win for Houston despite a sudden coaching change as Damon Stoudamire was called on to replace Joe Mazzura at the last minute. And finally, there was a revenge win against a 21-win Clippers team, during which Stoudamire again served as acting head coach and Mazura remained sidelined due to a corneal abrasion.
“I think we just regrouped,” Stoudamire reflected on his four-game winning streak after a 116-110 win over LA. “I think it was more humbling to lose the last three games in a row, and I think we knew we had to perform better in the next four games, especially when we go on the road[after that].” So the men answered. “
It was all Boston had to respond to this season, as they hadn’t hit many bumps before the start of their homestand. But even the best teams can fall into a rut, and that’s what happened when shots fell no more against Orlando and Indiana.
Derrick White who had game sealing block Paul George recalled those three losses on Thursday night’s stretch and said: Of course you missed a lot of shots, but try to get back to how you played earlier in the year. “
White went on to say that the team understands the ups and downs that can occur during a long season, so they didn’t get too low during that skid. did.
One of the biggest differences Marcus Smart has noticed over the last few games is how calm the team is regardless of the situation.
“Tonight too,” Smart explained after an effort of 16 points, nine assists and two steals. We kept the course and they hit some tough shots and took the lead and we just got off and kept running. I think you are learning. It can be frustrating for us, especially when shots don’t drop, calls don’t go as planned, and the opposing team feels like they’re running away, have momentum, and are making shots. It’s easy to put yourself into calmness. And for us, this year we’re just trying to focus on not letting that happen. “
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both had nights offshooting, posting 3/19 combined from 3-point range, but never showed it. They kept their heads up, continued to lead the team, and won big buckets in big moments.
Despite being cool from long distance, the Jays lead all scorers with 29 points, eight points more in total than LA’s elite duo Kawhi Leonard (26 points) and Paul George (24 points). Earned.
Just 17 days ago, the Cs were in a 113-93 loss in LA. This was the most lopsided loss in almost ten months. This victory was very satisfying.
“Nobody enjoyed what happened in LA, but we’re all very proud, so we knew it would be good for them to come back,” Stoudamire said. “The Clippers challenged us. But I was proud of the way we competed.”
The team should also be proud of their return to dominance on both sides of the ball. Over the past four games, the Celtics are his NBA second-best in both offensive (123.6) and defensive (108.1), combined with a league-best net his rating of 15.5.
“I feel like we’re back together in every aspect of the game, not just when the shots are falling,” said Rob Williams, who returned from offseason knee surgery, reflecting on his team’s defensive improvements. “Obviously we help each other on defense and tonight was a big game for that help side. But I feel like it’s coming back together.
By uniting again in those final few games, the Celtics have established themselves as the only 60-win NBA team in the 2022 calendar year.
Now, they’re headed into 2023 as they head to the Mile High City for their New Year’s Day matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
