As Jaylen Brown would say, the energy has shifted for the Boston Celtics.
After starting the season 5-7, the Celtics have been one of the NBA’s best teams over the last two months, and they’re still getting better. They’re 18-5 over their last 23 games, posting the NBA’s best record during that time. They’re also 8-1 over their last nine games, surging into the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Boston has outplayed everyone over the last six weeks, even the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Celtics have dominated both ends of the floor, ranking second in fewest points allowed, second in offensive rating and third in net rating, ranking among the best teams in franchise history in several advanced metrics.
After struggling with consistency early on, Boston has emerged as one of the league’s most consistent teams over the last two months. The Celtics have had five separate winning streaks since mid-November and just one losing streak that lasted two games.
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Brown has asserted himself as one of the NBA’s top two-way players and an MVP candidate during that time, averaging 31.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists over his last 17 games. He’s also gotten plenty of help from Boston’s bench, which has stepped up lately.
Even more impressively, the Celtics have done all of this without Jayson Tatum, who remains sidelined by an Achilles injury. Boston’s been an elite team in his absence and could be even better once he returns.
In the meantime, the Celtics will look to keep rolling tonight when they host the Denver Nuggets, who are also without their top player, Nikola Jokic.
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Featured image via Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images
