3 takeaways from the Boston Celtics’ wins vs. the Wizards and Pacers
NBA.com
Jaylen Brown scored 32 points in each of the last two games, leading the Celtics to a couple of key victories following a rare two-game losing streak. Here are some takeaways from the victories.
1. What can Brown do for you?
Brown has been getting off to quick scoring sprees in the first quarter which has helped the Celtics be dominant in the first half of games. They have consistently gone into the locker room with double-digit leads over the past two months. Going into the postseason, this is huge, because you can expect teams to begin to double-team Jayson Tatum. Boston can really make teams pay by continuing their outstanding ball movement to get others good looks on shot attempts. This can only make the offense more potent.
2. Hot shooting on display
The Celtics had a great day shooting the basketball against the Washington Wizards. They shot 56-for-91 (61.5 percent) and 52.0 percent from beyond the arc (23-for-44). Brown went 12-for-17(4-for-5 from deep), Tatum went 9-for-17, Grant Williams went 6-for-7(4-for-5 from deep), and Derrick White shot 6-for-7 (3-for-3 from deep). Payton Pritchard shot 5-for-8 (4-for-7 from range) and Aaron Nesmith went 4-for-5 (3-for-4 from three). The great shooting was a big reason why the Celtics were able to rack up 39 assists on those 56 made field goals. Ball and man movement at its best!
3. Playoff seeding
Is there really a team that you would be nervous about the Celtics facing in the playoffs? The way this team is playing, I don’t think it matters to Coach Ime Udoka and his staff. Their adjustments over the second half of the season have been magnificent and the players have been giving maximum effort, so don’t expect that to change.
Some may say the Milwaukee Bucks or Philadelphia 76ers because of Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid. Not having Robert Williams in at least the first round of the playoffs would make that task daunting, but not impossible, since Boston will most likely face the Toronto Raptors or Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. I like the Celtics’ chances of winning the Eastern Conference Championship, so I don't think that any team should make them nervous!
The Celtics have completed their home schedule (28-13) and will close out the regular season on the road. The first game of this road trip will be against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. EST.
