The started December with a league-best 14-4 record and the NBA’s best net rating of 9.7 (116.9 offensive rating (9th), 107.1 defensive rating (2nd)). They’re undefeated at home (9-0) and per ESPN Stats, they’ve had the strongest schedule to date. After a nailbiter against the 76ers on Friday night, the rest of the month could prove to be a grueling gauntlet to Christmas Day.
This week is the conclusion of the league’s inaugural In-Season Tournament with the knockout round starting Monday in Indianapolis. The Celtics demolished the Pacers by 51 points a month ago, but Indiana was without Tyrese Haliburton and he’s the driving force behind the NBA’s most prolific offense.