In the midst of their remarkable eight-game winning spree, the Boston Celtics have yet to showcase their full starting lineup in any of those contests, a fact that makes their recent historical achievement even more noteworthy. On a memorable Friday evening, despite being short three key rotation players, the Celtics showcased their dominance over the Detroit Pistons with a decisive 129-102 victory. This significant win marked Boston’s 15th victory of the season by a margin of 25 points or more.
This achievement has placed the Celtics on par with the legendary teams of the Milwaukee Bucks from the 1970-71 season and the San Antonio Spurs from the 2015-16 season, each having recorded 15 wins by a 25-point margin in a single season, as noted by esteemed statistician Dick Lipe. With 12 more games awaiting them in the regular season, Boston is poised to surpass this record and claim this impressive statistic outright for themselves.
What makes this feat even more striking is the context in which it was achieved. Recently, the Celtics have opted to give rest to several of their leading players in preparation for the playoffs. Despite the absences of key figures such as Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Jayson Tatum in Friday’s game, the team’s depth shone through, with five players scoring in double digits. Jaylen Brown led the charge with an outstanding 33 points, highlighting the team’s resilience and adaptability.
Jaylen Brown elaborated on the significance of the team’s adaptability and depth, emphasizing these as crucial factors for postseason success. In comments reported by NBC Sports Boston following the game in Detroit, Brown expressed the team’s intent to boost Coach Joe Mazzulla’s confidence in the squad’s versatility and their ability to secure victories through varied strategies.
Additionally, the Celtics have improved their average scoring differential to an impressive +11.7 points per game over the season, ranking as the fourth highest in the annals of NBA history. This positions them within reach of the all-time NBA record set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers at +12.3. While clinching home-court advantage in the forthcoming weeks may lessen the urgency to chase this record, the team’s current form suggests they might achieve it regardless, even as they manage the playing time of their regular starters more conservatively.
Coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team’s versatility in finding different methods to leave their mark on the game, especially on the defensive end. He highlighted their ability to employ various defensive strategies and maintain a unified team defense.
Looking ahead, the Celtics are set to pursue their ninth consecutive victory against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, completing the second game of a back-to-back series. This next match presents yet another opportunity for Boston to extend their winning streak and continue rewriting the record books, showcasing their strength and depth as they march toward the playoffs.