The Boston Celtics appear to be hitting their stride, after getting off to a slow start
After starting the season 2-2, the Boston Celtics are hitting on all cylinders after four consecutive wins. Last night, the undefeated Milwaukee Bucks were the latest victim of the surging Celtics in their 117-113 victory.
For most the game Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds, looked unstoppable with multiple drives to the basketball ending in a flashy finish off the glass or a thunderous dunk, but the Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving kept answering.
In the first quarter, Irving found Al Horford for several open 3-pointers to keep the Celtics in the lead. Horford returned the favor by throwing Irving a lob pass that he finished while falling to the floor.
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After the Bucks took a two point lead, Irving connected on two consecutive 3-pointers to give the Celtics a 55-53 lead at the half. Irving hot play continued as he started the third quarter by hitting three 3-pointers. He then hit multiple mid-range jumpers to put the Celtics up by double figures to seal the win. Irving finished the game with 28 points and 7 rebounds while connecting on six 3-pointers.
Gordon Hayward who suffered a season-ending injury during last season’s opener; had his best game this season scoring 18 points and shooting 3 of 5 from 3-point range. The Celtics finished the game with 24 3-pointers just one shy of the NBA record of 25 set by the Cavs last year.
Next up for the 6-2 Celtics is a road game against the Indiana Pacers followed by four consecutive games on the West Coast against Western Conference teams.
The Celtics are hitting on all cylinders at the moment, and will have a nice test over the next two weeks. We’re going to find out, fairly quickly, if Boston can keep this momentum going. West Coast trips are never easy for a team like the Celtics, but it will be a good early-season task for what many believe will be the team to come out of the Eastern Conference this season.
As for the Bucks, who sit atop the East standings, will also have a tough West Coast trip soon. After the next two weeks, the top of the East could look very different. And we’re going to find out a lot of both of these Eastern Conference contenders.