Celtics Prove Their Worth on West Coast Road Trip
The Boston Celtics have just completed a grueling 4-game West Coast road trip, and despite some ups and downs, they emerged with a respectable 3-1 record. This trip was billed as a “learning opportunity” to see how the team would fare against some of the toughest defenses in the NBA.
The Good: Kristaps Porzingis Finds His Rhythm
One of the bright spots from the trip was the play of Kristaps Porzingis. After missing some time due to injury, KP played in all three games to close out the trip and looked dominant in the final game against the Denver Nuggets. He finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists, shooting an efficient 50% from the field. His ability to protect the rim and make plays on both ends of the floor was a welcome sight.
Jayson Tatum Takes Charge
In the final game of the trip, Jayson Tatum put the team on his back and led them to a double-digit victory. Despite not shooting the ball particularly well, Tatum controlled the game, finishing with 29 points, 6 assists, and 2 blocks. His ability to take over games and make plays when it matters most is a key reason why the Celtics are still near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Jrue Holiday Steps Up
With Derrick White out, Jrue Holiday was tasked with carrying more of the load, and he responded with a big game against the Nuggets. He finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists, shooting 50% from the field and 42% from three. His all-around game and ability to make plays on both ends of the floor are crucial to the Celtics’ success.
The Bench Comes Alive
The Celtics’ bench, which has been a concern all season, finally showed signs of life on this trip. Sam Hauser, in particular, had a big game against the Nuggets, finishing with 12 points on 3-5 shooting from three. His ability to stretch the defense and make plays off the bench is a huge bonus for the Celtics.
The Bad: Shooting Woes Continue
Despite the positives, the Celtics still struggled with their shooting on this trip. They shot under 30% from three in multiple games, which made things much harder than they needed to be. The good news is that they were still able to win despite these struggles, but they’ll need to find a way to shoot more consistently if they want to make a deep playoff run.
The Ugly: Careless Play in the 4th Quarter
One area of concern from the trip was the Celtics’ careless play in the 4th quarter of close games. Jaylen Brown, in particular, had some mental lapses that nearly cost the team the game. These types of mistakes can’t happen if the Celtics want to win on the road against elite teams.
The Takeaway
Despite some ups and downs, the Celtics passed their West Coast road trip test with flying colors. They proved they can win on the road against tough defenses, even when they’re not shooting the ball well. Now, they return home with a lighter schedule and a chance to build some momentum heading into the second half of the season.
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