BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 21: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics sits on the floor as his last second shot misses in the second half against the Portland Trailblazers at TD Garden on January 21, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
On Friday, January 21, the Boston Celtics suffered a 109-105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. To make matters worse, the Blazers were without superstar guard Damian Lillard, and the Celtics were at home at TD Garden.
This was one of many particularly low moments for the Celtics, as the early months of the season were full of friction and turmoil in Boston. Off the court, players and coaches were voicing their frustrations to the media, and on the court, the Celtics seemed to lack energy and passion.
Why the Boston Celtics are legitimate NBA title contenders
When the switch was flipped is up for discussion, but ever since Friday, January 21, the Boston Celtics have been playing amazing basketball. Since losing to the Trail Blazers, the Celtics have played 20 games, winning 17 of them. And since the beginning of 2022, the Celtics have boasted the NBA’s best defense, as well as the number one net rating.
In a big-time win over the Brooklyn Nets, budding superstar Jayson Tatum outdueled both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving en route to a 126-120 victory. With a flurry of beautiful moves and jump shots, Tatum finished with 54 points (the fourth time in his career he has scored 50+).
With a defining win on national television, many have started to take notice, and the national media has begun viewing Boston as a potential contender in the Eastern Conference. Winning a title is incredibly difficult in the NBA, and even the most talented rosters need some luck to win it all. All that being said, do the Celtics have a legit shot to make a finals run this season? In short… yes.
Boston Celtics suffered a 109-105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. To make matters worse, the Blazers were without superstar guard Damian Lillard, and the Celtics were at home at TD Garden.</p>
<p>This was one of many particularly low moments for the Celtics, as the early months of the season were full of friction and turmoil in Boston. Off the court, players and coaches were voicing their frustrations to the media, and on the court, the Celtics seemed to lack energy and passion.</p>
<h2>Why the Boston Celtics are legitimate NBA title contenders</h2>
<p>When the switch was flipped is up for discussion, but ever since Friday, January 21, the Boston Celtics have been playing <em>amazing</em> basketball. Since losing to the Trail Blazers, the Celtics have played 20 games, winning 17 of them. And since the beginning of 2022, the Celtics have boasted the NBA’s best defense, as well as the number one net rating.</p>
<p>In <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/10/boston-celtics-championship-contenders/"https://www.nba.com/game/bkn-vs-bos-0022100960/box-score#box-score" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a big-time win over the Brooklyn Nets</a>, budding superstar Jayson Tatum outdueled both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving en route to a 126-120 victory. With a flurry of beautiful moves and jump shots, Tatum finished with 54 points (the fourth time in his career he has scored 50+).</p>
<p>With a defining win on national television, many have started to take notice, and the national media has begun viewing Boston as a potential contender in the Eastern Conference. Winning a title is incredibly difficult in the NBA, and even the most talented rosters need some luck to win it all. All that being said, do the Celtics have a legit shot to make a finals run <em>this </em>season? In short… <strong>yes<em>.</em></strong></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/10/boston-celtics-championship-contenders/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Defense </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DETROIT, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 26: Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons gets in a altercation with Marcus Smart #36, Grant Williams #12 and Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on February 26, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Why the Boston Celtics are legitimate NBA title contenders: Defense</h2>
<p>Not only are the Celtics a red-hot team going into the final stretch of the season, but their roster is tailored to have success in playoff situations. In the NBA Playoffs, the game usually slows down, and defenses are put to the test. Because you play the same team over and over again, coaches and players are given the time to scheme and plan for their opponent.</p>
<p>Defensive weak points are often found and exploited in playoff series. When facing the Celtics however, there may not be a defensive weak point to target. The Celtics’ weakest defenders that could see playoff minutes are Payton Pritchard and/or Daniel Theis. While these two are not elite defenders, the other six players that will see major playoff minutes are.</p>
<p>The Celtics’ defensive scheme mainly revolves around their ability to switch against the pick and roll, a common offensive set in the playoffs. They have one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA in Marcus Smart, and with versatile big men like Al Horford and Grant Williams, plus elite shot-blocker Robert Williams down low, scoring against the Celtics in the playoffs could be a nightmare.</p>
<p>Star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have also made strides defensively this season, and will surely be impactful on that side of the floor.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/10/boston-celtics-championship-contenders/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Offense </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-442972" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/10/boston-celtics-championship-contenders/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1366493116.jpeg" alt="Why the Boston Celtics are legitimate NBA title contenders" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1366493116.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1366493116-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Jaylen Brown #7 after a play against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 23, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Why the Boston Celtics are legitimate NBA title contenders: Offense</h2>
<p>On offense, the Celtics have also seen major improvements as of late. In the past two months, point guard Marcus Smart has been a revelation for Boston, averaging almost seven assists per game and scoring on some of the best efficiency of his career.</p>
<p>Having Smart settle into a true point guard role allows Jayson Tatum to operate with more freedom, and Jaylen Brown to thrive in his role as an elite scorer.</p>
<p>Over the past month, Tatum has once again shown why he is one of the best players on the planet. In the past four games, Tatum is averaging roughly 42 points per game on stunning efficiency. He outplayed some of the most talented scorers in NBA history last Sunday and has shown flashes of elite playmaking as well.</p>
<p>Boston has finally surrounded their two young stars with reliable shooters, and it has been a massive boost to their offensive production. Grant Williams is shooting above 40 percent from three, and even Al Horford has seen a massive improvement in his three-point efficiency recently. With shooters on the floor with them, bringing a double team against Tatum and Brown has gotten much harder.</p>
<p>With an elite defense, a legitimate superstar in Jayson Tatum, an elite co-star in Jaylen Brown, versatile shooters, and playoff experience, this Celtics team is uniquely equipped to be a playoff nightmare. And seeing them make a run to the NBA Finals is becoming more realistic with each passing day.</p>
<p>Will they continue their recent success into the playoffs and accomplish one of the single greatest season turnarounds in NBA history? We’ll just have to wait and see.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA MVP Ladder Week 21" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/09/nba-mvp-ladder-week-21/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/10/boston-celtics-championship-contenders/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/09/nba-mvp-ladder-week-21/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA MVP Ladder Week 21 </a> </div>
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