The second-seed Boston Celtics have exceeded all expectations this season thus far. Even despite being without arguably their best player, Jason Tatum, for 60 games, they have proven to be among the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Nevertheless, a concerning trend has emerged, even despite the return of Tatum. The Celtics are currently 3-14 against contenders.
That shouldn't inspire confidence with them having a losing record against the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Houston Rockets.
On one hand, they are still working to integrate Tatum into a mostly new supporting cast. On the other hand, that awful record may be too difficult to ignore. Even in a lackluster Eastern Conference, they could be ripe for an upset in the playoffs.
The Celtics have consistently struggled against great teams
There are often tiers to contenders, and this season is no different. The Thunder and the Spurs appear to be on tier 1, while the Celtics are likely a second-tier team with the likes of the Knicks, Pistons, Nuggets, and Rockets.
That's not a bad place to be by any means. It just doesn't guarantee them postseason success. Being on the right side of the playoff bracket and facing the right opponent could be key for the Celtics.
To their credit, even with a revamped roster, they still have some of their championship DNA, with Jaylen Brown being an MVP candidate, Derrick White doing Derrick White things, and them still having Payton Pritchard.
They also found a diamond in the rough in Neemias Queta, who has been an above-average starting center while making fewer than $3 million. Still, for them to try to reemerge as an honest-to-goodness contender, it starts and ends with Tatum.
The Celtics need near-prime Jayson Tatum to truly contend
Physically, he's looked better than expected, but his offensive production is lagging far behind the peak version of himself. The fact that he is playing at all this season is impressive.
The hope is that with enough of a ramp-up ahead of the playoffs, he will be able to elevate his game and thus raise the Celtics' ceiling in the process. Barring that, this team might not have enough to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Even if they ultimately bow out in the second round, that would actually be a better-than-expected outcome considering preseason expectations. However, the Celtics are obviously still looking to prove they can contend for a championship this season.