Call it the Celtics’ California Gold Rush of 2023.
Two weeks ago, Boston welcomed some winter weather. The team was coming off a disappointing loss to the Pacers in the In-Season Tournament and staring at a challenging homestand that included a game against the Knicks and then back-to-back two-game series against two top-10 defenses in the Cavaliers and Magic. The Celtics slogged through and swept all five games.
There’s no rest for the weary however. An all-California four-game road trip followed. Head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t necessarily treat it as a business trip, but rather as an opportunity for more growth.