The Celtics have particularly struggled in back-to-back games this season. However, they took wins against both Milwaukee and Utah Thursday and Friday night. With multiple players out for rest Friday night, the bench stepped up and worked to hold the Jazz off. What went right for the Celtics and where do they stand in the East with the season coming to a close? Here are four takeaways from the Celtics’ back-to-back wins and how they tie into the nearing playoffs.
Getting Hot At The Right Time
The Celtics’ week was capped off with a massive win against a fully healthy Bucks roster and a young but hungry Jazz team. To many fans’ surprise, the Celtics took both games in what looked to be another win-loss scenario.
The Celtics’ wins cannot be done without the performance of Jayson Tatum. Despite being in a mid-season slump recently, Tatum found his stroke dropping 40 points against Milwaukee (in three quarters!) and 39 against Utah. More impressively, over the last two games, Tatum shot 13/18 from the three-point range, 72%. But most impressively, Tatum had recorded zero turnovers against Milwaukee and Utah.
Along with Tatum, Brown had a magnificent showing in Milwaukee. Brown had a 30-point performance against the top seed in the East, shooting 13/20, in just three quarters. The Jays recorded 70 points after three quarters in Milwaukee to the Bucks’ 74 points.
The Celtics have only five more games until the playoffs. Tatum seems to have relocated his groove and fans will hope he can stay hot come playoff time.
Next Man Up Mentality
Back-to-back games have been painful for the Celtics this season, as they always rest Horford and Williams III for the playoffs. Outside of those two big men, the center position has been a major question mark for the Cs.
As we saw against Utah, the Celtics bench runs deep in all positions. Both Luke Kornet and Blake Griffin were seen as replacements for the two starting big men, and they did their job. Griffin especially showed out against Utah, with 6/12/5. He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, but that turns irrelevant with everything else he did well on the floor.
Kornet, who has been a solid backup center for the Celtics, played fifteen minutes and only recorded two rebounds and a block. Despite not getting the call-up often, Kornet has proven to be a team player across the board. He’s only averaged four points per game this season, but when his number is needed, he’s wont to show up.
Brogdon Making a Case for 6MOY
Malcolm Brogdon has been arguably the best player to come off the bench this season. He’s shown it over the last two games, providing 14 points against the Bucks and 19 points against the Jazz.
Brogdon stands right next to Knicks’ guard, Immanuel Quickley, as a favorite for the end of season award. His stats are similar to Quickley, giving Boston just over 14 points per game, four rebounds, and over three assists. However, in games Quickley comes off the bench, his statistics are much worse. Also, the Brogdon’s 3-point percentage is 44% to Quickley’s 36%.
Brogdon’s maturity lends himself to being a vocal veteran off the bench, without a bruised ego. He has been without a doubt the best player off the bench for the Celtics, but possibly even the league.
[Read more about Brogdon’s case for 6MOY here]
Are the Bucks Legitimate Threats to Win the East?
After the Celtics’ win in Milwaukee Thursday night, the question begs to be asked. Do the Celtics have an easy(ish) path to the Finals? The Bucks have been a phenomenal team this year, grabbing the one seed in the East from the Celtics. However, in head-to-head matchups, the Celtics have massacred Milwaukee in two of the three games played.
Their only loss to the Bucks this season was without Tatum, Brown, Horford, and Smart; four of their starters were out. Most Celtics fans saw their OT loss to Milwaukee as a win in a sense. Four starters out, and they were able to bring the 2021 champions to overtime.
With a fully healthy roster, the Celtics have been dominant over the Bucks, especially showing their defense from last season, holding the Bucks to 99 points in their outing Thursday. The loss snapped their 33-game streak of scoring 100 points or more.
While the Bucks have the rest of the league on a leash, the Celtics may prove to be their kryptonite. The Bucks haven’t shown Celtics fans why Boston should be scared of them, at the very least.
The Celtics have just five games remaining on their schedule and will continue to push toward the #1 seed. They continue their play on Tuesday night against Philadelphia at 8 EST.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out more posts on the Celtics, 76ers, Bulls, and more on the NBA page! Also be sure to check out the main page for more esports and sports articles! If you like the Boston Celtics, be sure to check out Nate’s page for more articles.
(Featured photo credits to Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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