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BOSTON — The Celtics took their first small step towards repeating as NBA champions Tuesday night, overwhelming the Magic in the second half of Game 5 on their way to a 120-89 victory. The blowout secured Boston a 3-1 series win in a series that was a little more competitive than most anticipated.
The Magic’s second-ranked defense put Boston in unusual positions throughout the series, limiting them to a season low 24 3-point attempts in Game 5. That made for some ugly offensive basketball for Boston, at least for one half, until the team starting hitting from all over the floor.
“It was challenging in many ways,” Al Horford said. “They played really hard, competed, and it forced us to play in a different style than we’re used to. But it was great for us to figure out a different way to win games and be efficient.”
The Magic may ultimately end up being the best defense the Celtics end up seeing this postseason. They certainly will be in the Eastern Conference at the least. Few teams have the size and skill to use their defensive scheme as effectively, but the five-game series was a productive test run for Boston in becoming a team that can adapt on the fly.
“I thought that was the theme of the series, was the trenches and the physicality there,” Joe Mazzulla said. “Every series, every game presents lessons. You have to take those lessons if you’re fortunate to move on, so there’s a lot that we can learn from from this series, and we’ve got to be ready for whoever we play against.”
With the success on the court being useful in the long run for Boston, the better news for the Celtics for now is how prompt it was. The Celtics won a playoff series in five games or fewer for the fifth straight series, matching a franchise record on that front.
The team will now get anywhere from three to five days to rest up, creating a crucial opportunity for Jrue Holiday (hamstring) to recover along with various ailments impacting Jayson Tatum (wrist), Jaylen Brown (knee) and others.
“it was probably exactly what we needed,” Jayson Tatum said. “A good test (for the) first round. A couple guys really banged up and dealing with some things, but showing that mental toughness of getting up and getting ready for each game and doing whatever it takes, whatever the game calls for and figuring out a way to win. That’s all that matters this time of the year. As a group, we’ve been through it all and we showed it and proved it this series. Looking forward to the next one.”
With the Celtics resting up, the Knicks and Pistons will still be beating each other in a series that could the distance. Neither one of those opponents should provide a big challenge in the second round for Boston but a worn down foe could create a smoother path to the East Finals.
Ultimately, the Celtics still have a long way to go to complete their mission but the stars are aligning for a favorable path after round one.
Continue reading...
The Magic’s second-ranked defense put Boston in unusual positions throughout the series, limiting them to a season low 24 3-point attempts in Game 5. That made for some ugly offensive basketball for Boston, at least for one half, until the team starting hitting from all over the floor.
“It was challenging in many ways,” Al Horford said. “They played really hard, competed, and it forced us to play in a different style than we’re used to. But it was great for us to figure out a different way to win games and be efficient.”
The Magic may ultimately end up being the best defense the Celtics end up seeing this postseason. They certainly will be in the Eastern Conference at the least. Few teams have the size and skill to use their defensive scheme as effectively, but the five-game series was a productive test run for Boston in becoming a team that can adapt on the fly.
“I thought that was the theme of the series, was the trenches and the physicality there,” Joe Mazzulla said. “Every series, every game presents lessons. You have to take those lessons if you’re fortunate to move on, so there’s a lot that we can learn from from this series, and we’ve got to be ready for whoever we play against.”
With the success on the court being useful in the long run for Boston, the better news for the Celtics for now is how prompt it was. The Celtics won a playoff series in five games or fewer for the fifth straight series, matching a franchise record on that front.
The team will now get anywhere from three to five days to rest up, creating a crucial opportunity for Jrue Holiday (hamstring) to recover along with various ailments impacting Jayson Tatum (wrist), Jaylen Brown (knee) and others.
“it was probably exactly what we needed,” Jayson Tatum said. “A good test (for the) first round. A couple guys really banged up and dealing with some things, but showing that mental toughness of getting up and getting ready for each game and doing whatever it takes, whatever the game calls for and figuring out a way to win. That’s all that matters this time of the year. As a group, we’ve been through it all and we showed it and proved it this series. Looking forward to the next one.”
With the Celtics resting up, the Knicks and Pistons will still be beating each other in a series that could the distance. Neither one of those opponents should provide a big challenge in the second round for Boston but a worn down foe could create a smoother path to the East Finals.
Ultimately, the Celtics still have a long way to go to complete their mission but the stars are aligning for a favorable path after round one.
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