Final Stretch: Boston Celtics Finally Gaining Health and Momentum as Season Comes to Close and Playoffs Loom

As we head into the final stretch of the 72-game-condensed-upside-down-COVID season from hell, the playoffs are finally in sight. Seventeen games remain on the calendar until the play-in tournament (May 18-May 21) with the first round starting on May 23rd.

The Celtics are currently 29–26, having won 6 of 7, matching their hottest stretch since three weeks into the season. If we remove those two 7-game stretches (12–2), the C’s went 17–24 during the bulk of this year…which is why it’s been such a difficult season for us C’s fans…but they went 17–24 while missing multiple mainstays in the top 8 of their rotation. In addition, Tatum returned at less than full health after dealing with COVID. In that month following Tatum’s return, the team went 5–11. Tatum just explained he’s been using an inhaler before every game since returning and he is only now (two months later) feeling like anywhere near full health.

While the Celtics defense is still mediocre at best, the swagger slowly seems to be returning to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart and possibly Kemba. Robert Williams never had any issues with his swagger. I have no idea about the internal confidence level of Evan Fournier. Tristan Thompson plays hard and does the dirty work…