By Darryl Harding Sr –
All roads go through Boston, capturing there 60th win of the season marks home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs including the finals as long as Celtics win as they should. Home court advantage means something the Celtics gained, but relinquished through home playoff losses last year.
This year the Celtics hope to maintain the advantage throughout their playoff run. In a game marking the most wins by 25 points this season the Celtics routinely handled the Oklahoma Thunder and managed to maintain the lead of the entire game, barring one minute.
With a double-double by Kristaps Porzingis, scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds, Boston persisted with an attack, on both ends of the floor, that quickly and easily put the Thunder on their back heels trailing the majority of the game. Although OKC went without their two biggest producers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, a full-fledged Boston team without injury put a game plan together that led them to an efficiently sustainable win.
Coach Joe Mazzulla commented on the team’s prowess both offensively and defensively, “having the awareness to control either side of the ball,” said Mazzulla, “understanding the ebbs and flows of the game.” Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown contributing with 24 and 23 points also launched the Celtics into a comfortable position with playoff basketball looming in the forefront.
The Celtics go on to face the Kings on Friday night while the Thunder will take on the Pacers.
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