The narrative that the Celtics aren’t playing well is nonsense

[KGs Knee]

We’ve got the second best point differential in the NBA

Well, I think it's 3rd after the Warriors win tonight, but still, this right here is probably the single most telling stat as to just how good the Celtics actually are.

[Roy H.]

24-9; .727 winning percentage; 60 win pace in our last 33 games.

We're now tied for 3rd in the East, and 5th in the NBA.

[Humble G]

At then end of the game they said that the Celtics had won the most games in the NBA since Nov. 26th... We are playing very well. And still getting bad press BUT what bothers me more is the negativity and hate on this forum when in fact the Celtics have been playing pretty good since the 10-10 start. Sure there is plenty of progress and things to work out but they are figuring it out And still winning as they do it.



PS..... GO Rams! 
#notfromboston  #neednewchamps

I will say Brady is Goat tho

[Sophomore]

It comes down to 4 games, Roy. We beat the Suns, Knicks and Magic twice and everyone is looking at this team differently.

Win those games and Celtics are 37-15, .710 winning percentage, one game in back of Milwaukee and a half game ahead of Toronto with a 5-2 record versus Philly, Milwaukee and Toronto.

4 games.

Both are part of the story, right? Overall we have really put it together. But there have been some very uneven games which, after a sluggish start, makes people nervous. Overall I’m with you on the optimistic side, and I think our depth will really help us keep winning games during the regular season. Haven’t given up hope for the 2 seed.

[blink]

I haven’t given up hope for the 1st seed.  30 games left.  We are 5 games out of first.

[footey]

I haven’t given up hope for the 1st seed.  30 games left.  We are 5 games out of first.

Better hope Baynes returns before Milwaukee game.

[C3LTSF4N]

I haven’t given up hope for the 1st seed.  30 games left.  We are 5 games out of first.

Better hope Baynes returns before Milwaukee game.

I’d like to see Rob Williams on Giannis - he did pretty well against Davis

[tenn_smoothie]

How many big road wins have we had against top-tier teams ?
Just one vs Philly ?

That is impacting the perception. Celts are playing better, but I maintain we still have issues that will prevent a title run.

[C3LTSF4N]

How many big road wins have we had against top-tier teams ?
Just one vs Philly ?

That is impacting the perception. Celts are playing better, but I maintain we still have issues that will prevent a title run.

We beat OKC on their home floor at the beginning of the season too.  Horford, Tatum and Morris killed it in that game.  Kyrie only had 15.

Haha we only had 34 points in the first half, and the Thunder were winless.

https://www.nba.com/celtics/gameday?g=0021800065#!

[Big333223]

I think a fair amount of it has to do with how the season began. They started out struggling and it's hard for people to change their minds. If the Celtics had beaten the Warriors and were on an 11 game win streak, maybe that would be enough for people to shift away from the established belief but 10 wins in 11 games and 24-9 in last 33 games isn't quite dynamic enough for people to change.

[celticinorlando]

I think Boston will be the 2 or 3 seed. Which is fine.

I expect Milwaukee to hold on barely to the one seed. Toronto really hasn't hit a dip in the road but there is still time.

Pacers IMO will bottom out at the 6 seed.

Feel like the Cs are built for the playoffs. Team looks bored at times so I am hoping once they get to April we see what they really are.

[Big333223]

I just saw this graphic on The Jump and it made me think of this thread. The Celtics are 34-19 and their wins broken down like this:

Started: 10-10
11/26-12/14: 8-0
12/15-1/14: 7-8
1/15-2/5: 9-1

It's a really interesting breakdown, I think. It's not just that they're dropping games here and there, it's that they've had these prolonged streaks where they look (record-wise) like different teams.

[Moranis]

Those 32 games, Boston played only 10 games with a .500 or better record though and 3 of those games were against the Nets.  In the first 20 games, Boston played 10 games against teams above .500 (so you know a much harder schedule).  Perhaps it is just a schedule thing.  I guess we will find out because 13 of the next 17 games are against teams that are .500 or better with 9 on the road including a 4 game road trip and 3 sets of back to backs (all with travel).

it appears schedule matters as predicted

[MaxAMillion]

Those 32 games, Boston played only 10 games with a .500 or better record though and 3 of those games were against the Nets.  In the first 20 games, Boston played 10 games against teams above .500 (so you know a much harder schedule).  Perhaps it is just a schedule thing.  I guess we will find out because 13 of the next 17 games are against teams that are .500 or better with 9 on the road including a 4 game road trip and 3 sets of back to backs (all with travel).

Yep...they are clearly not one of the challengers in the east. This will be reinforced with this upcoming schedule.

[TheReaLPuba]

We have been playing well and BETTER.

But it still doesn't feel like this team ENJOYS playing for one another.

Even through the Dee Brown/Dominique Wilkins and then through the Walker/Pierce eras those teams actually seemed to enjoy playing together.

This team just feels like "Hey I'm talented too, I'll show you" and then they go do their own thing.