With 71% wins, the Celtics are firmly established in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, and they have the 3rd record in the NBA behind the Cavaliers and the Thunder. From an accounting standpoint, there is nothing to worry about. Except that on closer inspection, the reigning champions are not at their best. In their last 15 matches, they have only won eight, and the symbol of this average period is this record at home: already seven defeats, while last season, they only lost four… As a result, the TD Garden even started to whistle its players.
« Honestly, I like it and it’s kind of deserved “, answers Kristaps Porzingis. “They expect a high standard from us, a high standard based on our talent and what we have shown in the past. I think when we don’t give our all, that’s when the whistles are most deserved. It’s normal and it’s just a sign that they want us to raise our level, our energy. And we have to answer it.”
An attack that is too stagnant
Winners of 64 matches last season, the Celtics flew through the championship, but the squad did not change, and the opponents progressed.
“The teams adapted to our way of playing at the start of the season and we are adapting in turn,” summarizes Jaylen Brown. “We need to better protect access to the circle and find different ways to win matches. I also think we had injuries for a good part of the year. Now, a lot of our players are healthy, all on the same field at the same time, so we have to find the right rhythm. Like I said, I believe in this group. We’re going to get there.”
Friday, for the reception of the Kings, it was only the 3rd time of the season that Joe Mazzulla could count on his entire squad. Despite this, his players learned a lesson with a 17-point defeat. For Brown, there is no need to worry too much.
“At the end of the day, it’s just Basketball and we have a talented and intelligent group of basketball players.”he concludes. “We just have to think about our game and a lot of it has to do with our pace and the spacing of the game. Tonight we played a lot in the post, and that slowed things down. We have to keep the rhythm and keep everyone involved…The way we move the ball around the court, the way we go to the corners and all those things have an effect on our offense.”
Related News :