Protecting the home court has clearly become a focus this season. Even with a short-handed roster, the managed to extend their record at home to 16-0. It wasn’t easy, though. A big fourth-quarter run setup a nervy finish for the Celtics. However, as we’ve seen so many times this season, Boston kept their heads, kept plucking away possession after possession and were able to squeak out a tough win.
Turning your home floor into a fortress is the staple of a championship-level team. Making it so everyone who visits Boston knows that they’re facing an uphill battle against one of the most talented rosters in the league, with some of the most passionate fans and an unbeaten record staring down at them, can become incredibly daunting.