It’s always easy to say this after a win, but the Boston Celtics have begun taking their production to a new level. With the All-Star break behind us, it makes sense that Joe Mazzulla’s team would begin finding a new gear. It’s expected. It’s required.
Finding that gear in just your second game after the break, though? Well, that’s encouraging, to say the least. The Celtics manipulate teams. They put them in binds on both sides of the floor. And then, they wait. They strike as soon as they see the other team’s heads start to drop or feel the momentum begin to build.