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Boston Celtics: Despite loss, win streak came at a crucial point

By Andrew Neururer

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Langston Galloway #9 of the Detroit Pistons look on during the game between the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons on December 15, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Langston Galloway #9 of the Detroit Pistons look on during the game between the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons on December 15, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics had their eight-game winning streak snapped Saturday night to the Detroit Pistons. Despite losing, this run was needed at a crucial point.

The Boston Celtics‘ win streak of eight games came to an end Saturday night against the Detroit Pistons. They were unable to close the gap in the second half, losing 113-104.  After this loss, the Celtics are currently 18-11 — sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Despite hovering around that spot in the playoff race for some time now, Boston can feel a little more comfortable knowing it has a three-game lead over the Pistons in the standings.

The Toronto Raptors have looked like the dominant team of the East so far, but since the Celtics’ recent run, they’ve found themselves at the thick of things in the Eastern Conference race. Here’s a look at the current standings:

  1. Toronto Raptors: 23-8
  2. Milwaukee Bucks: 19-9 (2.5 GB)
  3. Indiana Pacers: 19-10 (3.0 GB)
  4. Philadelphia 76ers: 19-11 (3.5 GB)
  5. Boston Celtics: 18-11 (4.0 GB)
  6. Detroit Pistons: 14-13 (7.0 GB)
  7. Charlotte Hornets: 14-15 (8 GB)
  8. Orlando Magic: 14-15 (8 GB)

It’s currently a battle between the second and fifth seeds. There’s only a 1.5-game separation between the second-place Bucks and Boston. There is a lot of season left to play, but the Celtics cannot afford to let teams run away.

Worse-case scenario, they get a spot within the top-four, but still get home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. If it wasn’t for that recent eight-game win streak, this team would still be sitting well out of position of home-court advantage.

They’re not in that spot just yet, but they are not far off from moving into the upper half of the playoff picture, sitting only a half game out from the 76ers. Every game counts, that goes without saying. However, this season was shaping out to be a weird one for Boston before the win streak.

During the first 20 games, the Celtics were unable to come out with a winning record. Instead they finished .500, going 10-10. That’s not what was to be expected from a top NBA team. They started to find their groove after mixing things up in the starting lineup.

Head coach Brad Stevens decided to move both Marcus Smart and Marcus Morris into the starting five. It wasn’t an ideal situation, especially when you consider the amount of talent on this Celtics roster. Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward are talented individuals, but because of some early season struggles, they’ve found themselves coming off the bench.

This move has allowed them to flourish more and possibly find some more time as starters down the line. That won’t happen anytime soon though, because of the success they’ve had with this new lineup.

This team must have runs like this consistently, without any major slip-ups like previously seen. The coming games don’t get any easier, as they will be facing quite a few teams that are either in the playoff picture or sitting right outside of it.

It’s still early in the season, where teams can make changes and make trades to correct their trajectory. Every game matters, and the Celtics winning eight in a row allowed them to get back on the right track.

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They’re only a half-game out of home-court advantage, 1.5 out of second place and only four from first place. Things can change drastically from December to April, but right now Boston set itself up for success again with the starting lineup tweaks and an encouraging return to winning basketball.

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