Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of followers throughout the NBA. All year long we ask questions of probably the most plugged-in Boston Celtics followers and followers throughout the nation. Join right here to take part within the weekly emailed surveys.
This week we requested Celtics followers simply how anxious they had been in regards to the crew. On the time they had been 5-5 of their final 10. Now they’re 8-7 of their final 15 video games, so not a lot has modified.
Nearly all of followers indicated that they’re reasonably involved, and I feel that appears about proper.
They’re nonetheless the defending champs and have definitely proven indicators of their dominance. The truth is, they’re working at about final 12 months’s win tempo.
However one thing simply appears a bit …off with the crew because the begin of December.
The Celtics are 8-7 of their final 15 video games
In that span, Boston ranks fifth in offense and 4th in protection
However in 4th quarters throughout that span, Boston ranks eighth in offense and twenty sixth in protection
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) January 11, 2025
We additionally requested followers in regards to the cause for the crew’s struggles, and most answered that it has to do with an absence of depth or focus.
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I can’t say that that is altogether shocking. Prior variations of this crew had a maddening inconsistency that at all times appeared associated to both focus or following by way of with effort for a full 48 minutes. Final 12 months’s crew appeared to energy by way of the conventional let-down video games (like say the primary recreation residence after a protracted street journey). This 12 months’s crew doesn’t look as sharp game-in and game-out.
Issues may definitely degree out. The crew is on tempo to win 58 video games and their remaining power of schedule is third best in accordance with Tankathon. So there’s an opportunity that this crew can end with the same document to final 12 months’s crew and hit the bottom working within the playoffs.
In the long run, all that shall be remembered is the playoff outcomes. Nevertheless, many instances these outcomes are a direct results of the habits shaped throughout the common season. So this crew in all probability wants to determine the way to recapture no matter drove them final season.
