Celtics streaking toward playoffs with another 50-point victory

Boston (AP) — The Boston Celtics’ last, best chance to win another NBA championship was ruined by Steve Kerr. And he believes that it would be more difficult this time.

“I think this is the best version of this team that I’ve seen,” remarked Steve Kerr on the weekend prior to his Golden State Warriors being swept 140-88 by their opponent in the 2022 NBA Finals on Sunday.

“The goal is to give oneself an opportunity as frequently as you can. And they’ve performed a fantastic job at it,” Kerr remarked. “I think it’s just a matter of time that they break through.”

With their 11th consecutive victory on Sunday, the Celtics improved to an NBA-best 48-12 record for the season, six games ahead of their nearest rival. They’re on pace for 65 victories, which would rank as the fourth-highest total in the history of the team and the most since the 2008 squad’s historic 17th NBA title.

The Celtics’ victory margin of 52 points over the defending Western Conference champion was the third-largest in team history. They hold the record for the most 50-point victories in a season among NBA teams.

Boston had a franchise-high 44-point lead at the half. The two biggest routs Boston has ever had came against Chicago in 2018 (by 56 points) and Sacramento in 2022 (by 53 points).

A lot of respect is shown for the Golden State Warriors, according to 29-point scorer Jaylen Brown. “But we feel like it’s our time now.”

Along with Jayson Tatum’s 27 points, Payton Pritchard’s 19 points came from the bench With 7:16 remaining in the third quarter on Sunday, head coach Joe Mazzulla rested his starting lineup for the Celtics.

The best player for the Warriors, Stephen Curry, did not participate in the second half and finished with a season-low four points, the fewest since he left a game at Boston in 2022 due to a foot ailment. On Sunday, Curry shot just 2 of 13 from the field and missed all 9 of his 3-point attempts.

“They came out and whooped us tonight from the jump,” Curry stated. “And it was one of those perfect storms of a rough (day) on our end and them taking it to us.”

Under Brad Stevens, the Celtics made it to the Eastern Conference Finals three times in four seasons, from 2017 to 20. At last, they made enough progress to play for Ime Udoka’s lone season on the bench in 2022 ended with an NBA title, but the Warriors eliminated them in six games.

Under Mazzulla, the squad advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals but was defeated in seven games by the Miami Heat. In order to acquire center Kristaps PorziņĢis, Boston traded point guard Marcus Smart in the offseason. Jrue Holiday was then acquired to take Smart’s defensive end.

“This group is the best one I’ve been a part of,” Brown declared. “We’ve gained experience, developed, and matured. We’re prepared and poised.”