The Boston Celtics finished their season with a wire-to-wire win over the Memphis Grizzlies, as it was a relatively easy win for the C’s with the Grizzlies sitting their starters due to them already being locked into the two-seed out West.
Boston still had seeding to play for and took the matter seriously. They put together a solid all-around team win as they set their sights on the playoffs. Here are three takeaways from the win.
Playoff ready
The Celtics look as good as any team in the league as they begin their playoff quest for banner 18. This was essentially an off-day for the C’s given the Grizzlies’ situation but they still came out and played hard on both ends. Jayson Tatum looked as good as ever by scoring 31 points on ridiculous efficiency. He shot 11-for-14 from the field and knocked down six of his eight triples. Five other Celtic players scored in double-figures and every player on the roster scored at least once.
Although this wasn’t the toughest test for the C’s, the dominant win gives fans an idea of what they can expect when the intensity ramps up in the playoffs.
C’s will be a tough opponent
The Celtics have just completed one of the best midseason turnarounds in NBA history. It was only two-and-a-half months ago when the C’s were sitting in 11th place with a 23-24 record. By season’s end, they climbed all the way up to the two-seed and closed the season with a 28-7 record. Looking at their record with context really proves that they’ll be such a tough out in this year’s playoffs.
Of their seven losses, four of them came on the second night of a back-to-back. They looked like a completely different team in those games and it isn’t surprising at all that they lost so many of them. The good news for the C’s is that there will be no back-to-backs in the playoffs. Eliminating those losses from the discussion, Boston finished the season 28-3 when they had at least one day of rest.
Playoff matchup is still uncertain
Unlike last year, when the Celtics participated in the play-in, this year they will get those extra days off as they await their opponent. They will face the winner of the Nets-Cavs game and it is clear that the Cavaliers are the ideal opponent for the C’s
The Brooklyn Nets have not come anywhere close to their preseason expectations but they still boast the league’s highest-powered offense and are clicking at the right time. The Celtics will be able to exploit the poor defense of the Nets but that offensive firepower is enough to scare anyone.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, on the other hand, have far exceeded expectations but countless injuries have caused them to slip late in the year. When fully healthy, they have a more balanced roster than Brooklyn but at the end of the day, superstars make the difference in the playoffs and the Cavs just don’t quite have that threat.
Although their opponent is still uncertain, the C’s seem like a team who is ready to play anyone and will take on any challenge.
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