How the Boston Celtics are learning on the fly (while leaving teams in their dust) 

Even a team that boasts the league’s best record still has things they could improve upon. Understanding these shortcomings often involves learning certain lessons throughout the season.
Without question, this iteration of the Boston Celtics has been learning the right lessons.

At present, Beantown boasts a 48-12 record, the best in the association. Jayson Tatum has garnered serious MVP support, while Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and others have played a pivotal role in forming a synergy that is hard to beat. Both the Celtics success at home and select losses hint at virtues that could be invaluable come playoff time. 

Boston holds the NBA’s best home court record. Their 29-3 mark is quite impressive, and could be crucial given they will likely be the East’s number one seed in the NBA Playoffs. 

The fast-learning Boston Celtics should scare the rest of the NBA.

Last season, the C’s fell to the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals at home. Leaning to consistently win on your home hardwood is a lesson that virtually every championship-caliber team must learn.

Even though Boston was 32-9 at TD Garden last season, they dropped three home games in the ECF against Miami. While regular-season prosperity does not guarantee postseason success, it’s encouraging to see that the Celtics have protected the parquet. 

The Celtics’ 12 losses have mainly come against solid squads. Their losses to the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Clippers have presented a preview of what kind of teams could give them problems. 

But some of the C’s other losses have illustrated a unique reason to stay alert as the season winds down. Their losses to the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma Thunder, and Indiana Pacers all came against teams that are young, hungry, and ready to play spoiler.

The Celics have a target on their back as one of the association’s best. If they have designs on making a run to the Finals, they’ll have to ensure they don’t write off lower-seeded teams that could best them. In fact, one could argue this was how they fell behind 3-0 to the Heat in last year’s tournament. 

On the whole, Boston could not be having a more deadly season. They will surely be a frightening foe come playoff time. They have two stars who are capable of stealing the show at any given moment: one of the game's best perimeter defenders, and role players who may enjoy some breakout moments. As a group, they own the NBA's best net rating. The lessons they have learned over the regular season will only strengthen their chances of winning a title.