Boston Celtics Fans Should Make Early Vacation Plans
- Updated: March 1, 2017
So, you’re a Boston Celtics fan? Sorry to disappoint, but don’t count on your team getting very far in the NBA playoffs. Yes, I know you’re in second place in the Eastern Conference standing. I know that Isaiah Thomas is a machine, but the Celtics just cannot compete with the best in the East. They have not thus far this season.
In nine games against the best teams in the East – Cleveland, Toronto, and Washington – the Celtics are just 2-7. Boston dropped a 107-97 decision to Toronto on Friday night and the Raptors played without starting point guard Kyle Lowry. Friday’s game was the Celtics last one with the Raptors this season. Boston went 1-3 this year.
Surely, Boston would have to face one of the three – the Cavs, Raptors, or Wizards – come playoff time. When they do, the Celtics are going to punch out of the postseason pretty quickly because of horrible defense and Thomas. Yes, as good as the Boston point guard is, he has been a liability in games against the East’s best.
In the fourth quarter of Friday’s game, Thomas shot 1-of-6 from the floor and scored four points. That was his worst fourth quarter performance since…wait for it…a loss to Washington on Jan. 24. He scored four fourth quarter points in that game. In the seven losses to Cleveland, Toronto, and Washington, Thomas has averaged 6.8 fourth quarter points. In the two wins over those teams, he averaged 19.5.
The other problem for Boston is defense. The Celtics have allowed 100 or more points in all nine games against the three other top teams in the conference. Boston gives up 105.7 points per game. In losses to Toronto, Cleveland, and Washington, Boston has given up an average of 114.1 points a game.
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