After a Slow Start to the Playoffs the Celtics Seem to Have Found Their Stride

By Djack

After game two of the first round against the Chicago Bulls, the Boston Celtics looked like they were headed for an early exit. An exit that would've been truly devastating after such a magical regular season for a Boston team that felt disrespected as a #1 seed entering the playoffs. Everyone knew the circumstances weren't normal, obviously the death of Isaiah Thomas' sister played a bigger role than could meet the eye. Not even necessarily his performance, but the team's was certainly effected. After Rajon Rondo couldn't play in game 3 and the Celtics won regaining momentum, everyone knew the Celtics were going to win this series again after they had looked so outmatched in the previous two games. Slowly but surely the Celtics started looking like the team that got them there as the #1 seed and by game 6 of the series it was evident by their play on the court that they were back.

Today, they took on the Washington Wizards in game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Isaiah Thomas took an elbow to the mouth early, one of his teeth popped out, and he continued to play like nothing happened. The guy is clearly as tough as nails. He then proceeded to torch the Wizards defense like he did to the Bulls leading them to victory. Celtics won 123-111 behind a huge game from Isaiah Thomas, who had 33 points on 47% shooting. The Celtics expect Thomas to play that way every night though, he's not the difference in the game, he's just the reason they're in the game to begin with. The reason they win games is because guys like Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder contribute on both ends of the floor. Throw in Al Hortford getting buckets and boards while the bench has a couple scorers in double digits and this team is tough to beat.

The Celtics aren't flashy, as a matter of fact they're quite the opposite, they're more like the Spurs than anything. They just get players that can play within a system and build around one star. The Celtics are a machine and when everybody does their job it runs very efficiently. When someone isn't doing their job it means someone has to do twice the work, meanwhile they can't due to their lack of ability, and then they fail miserably. In order for the Celtics to continue this run they're on the little guys are going to have to continue to play at a high level, and I don't mean Isaiah Thomas because of his height, I mean little guys in terms of their roles. The fact this team is doing so well and having playoff success is a testament to what Brad Stevens has done here and how good a head coach he truly is. The Celtics were too much for the Wizards despite spotting them a 16 point lead at the start, should be really concerned if you're a Washington fan right now. Celtics are done playing games, IT on a mission, and him and his boys are out here tryna get it.