Boston Celtics News, Scores, Stats & Rumors
The Boston Celtics are on a mission after their heartbreaking loss in the 2022 NBA Finals - they're determined to bring home the championship trophy this year! And with their impressive scores all season long, they've definitely been on the winning side more often than not. In fact, they're one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference, making them a team to watch out for in the playoffs. If you're a fan, now's the perfect time to snag some Celtics tickets and witness history in the making. So, let's take a trip down memory lane and see how the Celtics got to where they are now, and what's in store for them in the upcoming games.
New Coach
A coaching change was the biggest event of Boston’s offseason after last year’s loss in the NBA Finals. After an investigation into coach Ice Udoka, the Celtics suspended Udoka for a full season with Joe Mazzulla becoming the interim coach. However, with things going well under Mazzulla this season, the Celtics made him their permanent coach on February 16, ending Udoka’s tenure with the team.
Malcolm In the Middle
Other than the coaching change, Malcolm Brogdon was Boston’s most important off-season acquisition. The Celtics traded five players and a first-round pick in the 2023 Draft to acquire Brogdon last summer. Before the season, the Celtics also added six-time all-star Blake Griffin for the league minimum, adding depth to their frontcourt despite Griffin being well past his prime.
Fast Start
Despite a new coach and a new point guard, the Celtics got off to a fast start during the 2022-23 season. After losing three of their first seven games, the Celtics won 14 of their next 15 games, ending the month of November with an 18-4 record, establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Fighting Through Turmoil
Of course, while November was a good month for the Celtics, December and January were not as kind. Right before Christmas, Boston hit a stretch with five losses in a span of six games. The Celtics also lost their first two games after the new year, ultimately going just 8-8 between December 1 and January 3. But they quickly rattled off nine straight wins before suffering another three-game losing streak in late January.
March Swoon
Amidst an otherwise successful season, the Celtics hit another rough patch in early March when they lost three games in a row. In fact, between February 27 and March 18, Boston was just 5-6. However, the Celtics are still poised to have a winning record in March and hit the stretch run with a fair amount of momentum.
Where They Stand
For much of the season, the Celtics have been the second-best team in the Eastern Conference, sitting behind only the Milwaukee Bucks. Heading into April, the Celtics have already clinched a playoff spot. More importantly, they are closer to the Bucks than the third-place 76ers are to them. If that holds, the Celtics can guarantee themselves at least two playoff series with home-court advantage. Boston also remains a threat to overtake Milwaukee for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Keep in mind that the winner of the Eastern Conference is also likely to have the best regular-season record in the NBA this year.
The Road Ahead
The Celtics can take a big step toward securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference on March 30 when they visit the Bucks. The Bucks and Celtics have split their first two head-to-head meetings this season, so the winner of that game will own the tiebreaker if the two teams have the same record at the end of the season. The Celtics also face a challenging road game against the 76ers on April 4 before closing the season with three straight home games, including two against the Raptors. After that, the playoffs will begin with Boston likely to play one of the survivors of the NBA’s Play-in Tournament.
Celtics Stars
To the surprise of nobody, the tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown has led Boston all season. Tatum has averaged just over 30 points per game, while Brown isn’t far behind at 27 points per game. Both Tatum and Brown are among Boston’s best rebounders outside of center Robert Williams.
However, Boston’s success isn’t only due to perennial all-stars Tatum and Brown. Despite not starting a game all season, Brogdon has made an immediate impact with his new team. He’s the team’s third-leading scorer with over 14 points per game, while starting point guard Marcus Smart still runs the offseason, leading the way with over six assists per game. Smart, along with Derrick White, gives the Celtics five players who average over 10 points per game. But not to be left out is veteran center Al Horford, who averages just shy of 10 points per game and remains a force defensively and on the boards.
Will the Celtics Win the Title?
Of course, this is the million-dollar question for the Celtics and their fans, especially after coming so close last year. With the addition of Brogdon, the Celtics might be better than they were a year ago, especially with Tatum and Brown continuing to perform at a high level. Also, the supporting cast is deep enough, and Mazzulla has done a good job in his first season as a head coach. If the Celtics can continue to put their early-March struggles behind them, there’s no reason to think they can’t go on to win the 2023 NBA championship.