– ‣ The Boston Celtics clinched a playoff spot for the 10th straight NBA season and became the first team this season to secure a playoff berth with a 127-112 win over the Phoenix Suns, improving their overall record to a league-best 52-14.
– ‣ Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum led the Celtics to victory against the Suns, with Brown scoring 37 points and Tatum adding 26. Their performance helped Boston maintain its position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
– ‣ The Celtics are on pace for the franchise’s first 60-win season since finishing 62-20 in 2008-09, showcasing significant improvement from the previous season and solidifying their status as championship front-runners according to multiple NBA betting sites.
OFFICIALLY PLAYOFF BOUND ☘️#DifferentHere
— Boston Celtics (@celtics)
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The Boston Celtics? Oh, they’re officially playoff-bound for the 10th consecutive NBA season. That’s right, folks. They didn’t just sneak in; they busted the door wide open with a 127-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns. This win wasn’t just any win. It propelled their record to an eye-popping 52-14, the best in the league.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers stumbled, losing 114-105 to the Milwaukee Bucks. What does this mean? Well, it puts the Celtics a cool 9 1/2 games ahead of the second-seeded Bucks. And the Sixers? They’re trailing by a whopping 16 games in the seventh seed.
Now, if you’re into betting, you’ve probably noticed something. The Celtics are the darlings of NBA betting sites, touted as the championship frontrunners. But hey, don’t sleep on the Denver Nuggets and Bucks. They’re still in the mix with some tempting odds.
“OFFICIALLY PLAYOFF BOUND #DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/mF3hThhfJL” — that’s what the Celtics tweeted on March 15, 2024. It’s got a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
Jaylen Brown was on fire Thursday night, dropping 37 points. Jayson Tatum wasn’t far behind with 26. The Celtics didn’t just lead; they led by as much as 20 points. Oh, and they’ve got a knack for shining in the second game of back-to-backs, improving to 10-2.
Suns coach Frank Vogel tipped his hat to them. “They’re the best in the league at it,” he admitted. Despite his team’s efforts to limit the Celtics, it just wasn’t enough.
Now, here’s something to chew on. The Celtics are eyeing their first 60-win season since 2008-09 when they finished 62-20. Tatum and Brown were a dynamic duo, combining for 43 of the Celtics’ 65 first-half points against Phoenix. They didn’t let up, outscoring Phoenix 37-25 in the third quarter and shooting a blistering 50% from 3-point range.
Brown had a message for the doubters. “I feel like some of the things you said about me last year, you can’t say this year,” he declared. It’s a team effort, with Coach Joe Mazzulla setting the tone. Well-coached? You bet.
For the past several months, the Celtics have been perched atop the Eastern Conference standings. They’re tied with the 2015-16 Spurs for the fourth-best net rating in NBA history at 11.3.
“EAST STANDINGS https://t.co/NYRAb3kawS” — that’s the tweet from the NBA on March 15, 2024. It’s a testament to the Celtics’ dominance.
Brown reflected on the team’s recent performance. Coming off a long road trip, they could’ve been sluggish. Instead, they came out swinging, determined to take care of business.
The Celtics are not just winning; they’re on a historic pace. They’re aiming for their first 60-win season since 2008-09 and have an impressive 30-3 record at home. Against teams above .500? They’re 28-13. And let’s not forget, they’ve won 15 of their last 17 games.
Comparing this season to the last, the Celtics have improved their win tally by seven games through the first 66 games. They’re also dominating in 10-point games with a 31-4 record and have a near-perfect 24-1 record against below-.500 teams.
As the playoffs approach, one thing’s clear: the Celtics are battle-tested and ready. Next up? They’re visiting the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Let’s see what magic they bring to the court.
