(Photo courtesy of CelticsBlog) “The Celtics have not lost their game so far this season.”
Jake Messer
Connector Editor
On Tuesday, the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-105 in an exciting and enthralling match-up, cementing themselves as a team to be feared in the Eastern Conference once again.
The Celtics made a statement with this win over the Cavaliers. A statement that even though the playoffs may not run through Boston this season, they are still the team to beat if any team wishes to reach the NBA Finals this season.
Despite their struggles in December and early January, the Celtics, led by star forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have brought the team back to their consistent winning ways.
In the month of January, Brown averaged 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game. On the other side of the duo, Tatum averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Their play has proven the media claims that this duo is one of the best in the NBA and is the fuel to the team’s success.
However, duos don’t win championship games, teams do. The key to the Celtics success as of late can be attributed to guard Derrick White and Center Kristaps Porzingas.
Though he was in a shooting slump for much of December and early January, White appears to have broken out of his funk and has seemingly found his touch again, averaging 19 points per game over his last five. His shooting may have slumped, but his defense didn’t during that time.
White is currently averaging a block and a steal per game, impressive numbers considering he is a 6’4 guard. Normally those stats are reserved for a center, but it goes to show how much all-around talent the Celtics have in their starting five this season.
White’s impact on the team cannot be overlooked and Head Coach Joe Mazzulla understands it better than anyone else.
“When he plays that way, we are a completely different team,” Mazzulla said. “It’s important that he keeps that up. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, that’s who he is.”
Not to be outdone by his teammate, Porzingas has reminded everyone just how important he is to this team’s success.
Even though he missed the first few months of the season due to a foot injury he suffered in last year’s finals, he has come back and shown how important he is to the team’s success. In 26 games this season, Porzingas has averaged 19 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal a game.
Injuries may limit his long-term impact and his consistency, but when he is on the court, Porzingas is the shot-blocking, space-creating center the Celtics need to reach the highs they did last season.
Other players have stepped up this play as well, guard Payton Pritchard has been excellent coming off the bench, averaging nearly 14 points per game. His play and ability to step up and give the Celtics big-time minutes made him an early candidate for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Not to be left out, center Luke Kornet has been a welcome addition to the quality bench play of the team this season. This season is averaging an efficient 5 points and 1 block a game this season.
The team appears to be rounding into winning form just a few weeks before the all-star break. Although it is still early and there is still a lot of basketball to be played this year, the Celtics will look to cement themselves as a contender to be feared.
Will they overtake the Cavaliers for the top spot in the east, while holding off the surging New York Knicks? Only time will tell.
