Boston Celtics
If there’s one factor that makes the Celtics distinctive this season, it is the flexibility to remain constant no matter who’s within the lineup.
COMMENTARY
Two issues had been clear heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Magic.
First, Orlando wanted the win far more than the Celtics did. Boston had already locked up the No. 2 seed. Orlando continues to be playing for the right to come back to Boston for a possible first-round playoff rematch.
It’s both the Magic or the Sixers that will probably be flying in for Game 1 on Sunday afternoon at TD Backyard, and the loss to Boston value the Magic an opportunity to host the play-in sport at their place, making their street to the playoffs even more durable than it as soon as was.
The opposite, and extra necessary level, is that these Celtics had been all the time going to indicate up and compete anyway. It’s what they’ve accomplished all season. It’s simply how they roll.
“We’ve mentioned all of it yr,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned. “One by way of 15, whoever steps on the ground, there’s an expectation to place us in place with the chance to win and stick with the method of profitable.
“[Sunday was] no totally different than the opposite 81 video games from the standpoint of – we had 5 guys that had been capable of play, we had seven or eight guys and the expectation was to place us in place to win, to execute, to play laborious, to play collectively.”
Simpler mentioned than accomplished. Positive, saying that you simply count on to beat final yr’s first-round playoff opponent who added sharpshooter Desmond Bane to an already proficient core with none of your starters sounds good.
To exit and do it with out Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard was one other factor totally.
From the opening tip, the sport had a little bit of a March Insanity-style really feel, and the Celtics for as soon as had been the underdogs. John Tonje had by no means scored in an NBA sport earlier than Sunday night time. Ron Harper Jr.’s 37 minutes had been greater than he had previously two seasons mixed. Max Shulga had simply 4 field-goal makes an attempt heading into the sport.
With Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Bane on the ground, the Magic had been those who seemed nearer to a No. 1 seed. They had been longer, extra athletic, and seemed like they’d extra offensive firepower.
However the Celtics by no means doubted that they may hold, even towards a playoff crew.
“I simply really feel like we all know our group, know our capabilities, and a few guys simply wanted an opportunity,” Harper Jr. mentioned. “All of us obtained an opportunity and capitalized nice, however we positively didn’t come into the sport pondering that it was David vs. Goliath that we had been the last word underdogs. We got here in anticipating to compete and anticipating to win.”
Maybe probably the most spectacular half about this Celtics season has been how they’ve responded to challenges whereas not at full power. Profitable 56 video games is a feat in any NBA season. Making it occur whereas lacking Jayson Tatum for the primary three-quarters of the yr is much more outstanding.
They managed to win simply 5 fewer video games than they did final yr regardless of dropping Jrue Vacation, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet on high of Tatum’s prolonged absence.
They completed 18-3 in video games following a loss. They posted the fourth-best document and fourth-best internet score within the league. They’re proper again the place they had been final yr, internet hosting a playoff collection because the No. 2 seed within the Jap Convention.
“It’s only a validation of what we’ve been speaking about,” Mazzulla mentioned. “One, our participant growth employees does a terrific job of placing guys in place and serving to them stick with the method. It’s very simple in the event you’re always in an elective shoot or taking part in in a stay-ready sport, you might see it as in case your job is meaningless however they’ve to remain prepared as a result of when you step on the ground you’re held to the identical normal.”
The Celtics wanted each little bit of hustle, defensive scrappiness, and naturally some luck from past the 3-point arc Sunday night time.
They obtained it. Baylor Scheierman poured in a career-high 30 factors, hitting robust pictures all night time. Harper Jr., who entered the league as an undersized energy ahead, was taking the ball coast-to-coast on fast-breaks. Luka Garza grabbed a dozen rebounds and hit a troublesome, contested three within the clutch.
They obtained significant contributions from a gaggle reserves throughout what might have simply been handled as a meaningless sport.
Subsequent weekend, the warmth will get turned up a few notches because the playoffs start. The Celtics have a season’s value of preparation working at less-than-full-strength.
Now, they’re wholesome, and it’s time to see simply how far they’ll go.
“The usual is the usual no matter who’s out and in of the lineup,” Schierman mentioned. “I believe we did a terrific job of shopping for in 1-17 all year long. When guys are out folks step up and make performs.”
Get the newest Boston sports activities information
Obtain updates in your favourite Boston groups, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
