On Friday, January 21, the Boston Celtics suffered a 109-105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. To make matters worse, the Blazers were without superstar guard Damian Lillard, and the Celtics were at home at TD Garden.
This was one of many particularly low moments for the Celtics, as the early months of the season were full of friction and turmoil in Boston. Off the court, players and coaches were voicing their frustrations to the media, and on the court, the Celtics seemed to lack energy and passion.
Why the Boston Celtics are legitimate NBA title contenders
When the switch was flipped is up for discussion, but ever since Friday, January 21, the Boston Celtics have been playing amazing basketball. Since losing to the Trail Blazers, the Celtics have played 20 games, winning 17 of them. And since the beginning of 2022, the Celtics have boasted the NBA’s best defense, as well as the number one net rating.
In a big-time win over the Brooklyn Nets, budding superstar Jayson Tatum outdueled both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving en route to a 126-120 victory. With a flurry of beautiful moves and jump shots, Tatum finished with 54 points (the fourth time in his career he has scored 50+).
With a defining win on national television, many have started to take notice, and the national media has begun viewing Boston as a potential contender in the Eastern Conference. Winning a title is incredibly difficult in the NBA, and even the most talented rosters need some luck to win it all. All that being said, do the Celtics have a legit shot to make a finals run this season? In short… yes.