The Celtics just beat the Indiana Pacers (the #2 team in the East) in the second night of back to back games road games; something they’ve shockingly done twice in a row against very good opponents (Utah 9 days ago, in the “best win of the year” until now), after previously being unable to accomplish it all season. Trailing 81-72, Boston closed out the game with an 11-0 run over the final 4:35 in order to get the 83-81 victory.
It makes no sense that the C’s were able to pull this one out. They should have been the tired team that faded down the stretch. It also defies logic that Boston has played so well without Rajon Rondo (and Jared Sullinger). I am at loss for words to try to explain what’s been happening, but it seems crazy to doubt this team right now.
This all has a very familiar ring to it. Probably because I wrote a nearly identical piece almost a year ago, entitled “I have unlimited faith in the Celtics right now.” They had just completed an improbable home victory over the Hawks, moving into a tie with them in the Eastern Conference standings. This Friday Boston will host Atlanta, again with the chance to pull even with them in the playoff race.
Midway through last season the Celtics were 15-17, but they finished 24-10 to end with a 39-27 record (there were only 66 games because of the lockout). Just past the halfway point of this year Boston was 20-23. They’ve gone 13-4 since then on the way to their current 33-27 mark. I’m starting to get that same feeling of “unlimited faith” all over again.
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