NBA Halloween: Playing trick-or-treat with 2017-18 early season trends

Boston Celtics

The Celtics being a top Eastern team without Gordon Hayward: Treat

Maybe we’re getting swept up with recency bias, but even before the Boston Celtics‘ four-game win streak turned into a five-game win streak Monday night, it was pretty clear something special is happening in Beantown — and yes, that’s even with Gordon Hayward done for the season.

While that horrifying opening night injury eliminates them from the contender category, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are stepping up on the wings, Kyrie Irving continues to bedazzle us with his patented bag of tricks and the defense is ranked second in the association.

The Cavaliers won’t be in Struggle City forever and the Wizards, Bucks and Raptors are all threats out East, but even without Hayward, Brad Stevens’ squad seems prepared to push for a top-four seed.