The Boston Celtics have 46 wins in 58 games. They are currently on a nine-game win streak. No one can stop them. They sit atop the Eastern Conference, making it clear that they are the NBA's most dominant force every time they step on the court, both at home and on the road. It is clear that they are heavy favorites to win the NBA title this season.
The Philadelphia 76ers were the latest to succumb to the Celtics' dominance. Boston won convincingly at the TD Garden 117-99, controlling all facets of the game. They dominated both sides of the ball, scoring from all over the floor, as well as securing more rebounds and recording more blocks and steals. The 76ers kept it close in the first quarter, but starting in the second, the Celtics took over and won each of the remaining quarters.
WWWWWWWWW#DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/z2uvEdGcJ1
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 28, 2024
Tatum and Brown boost the Celtics
This Celtics' dominance boils down not only to the strategies designed by head coach Joe Mazzulla. Much of the team's success comes from its two star players, colloquially known as the "Jays": Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Both players have worn the green and white since they began their professional career. The duo is benefiting greatly from two of the team's new additions: Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Derrick White usually rounds out the starting five, which ranks among the best in the league.
Against the 76ers, Tatum was named player of the game. He scored 29 of the Celtics' 117 points, in addition to showing his defensive ability, grabbing 11 rebounds. His remarkable balance in the last game was topped off with 8 assists. His scoring average per game is 27 points, which is in line with his production from each of the past four seasons.
BEAST MODE pic.twitter.com/FsZFbvqJPr
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 28, 2024
The tandem is completed by Brown. "There's a multitude of ways you can win throughout the course of a game," he said as soon in a press conference after the game against the 76ers. With 31 points, he was the Celtics' leading scorer (not of the game, that was the 76ers' Tyrese Maxey). Brown also recorded 6 rebounds and 1 assist. He is averaging 22.3 points per game on the season, slightly less than his mark from last regular season.
