December Schedule:

Key Games to Look For: 76ers @ Celtics (12/12), Celtics @ Mavericks (12/18), Celtics @ Raptors (12/25).

Game Recaps:

Celtics at Mavericks: 12/18/19

Final Score:

Summary: The Celtics squeezed out a close win on the road against the Mavericks on Wednesday. Marcus Smart and Gordon Hayward were both out with injuries, while the Mavericks best player and MVP candidate Luka Doncic remained out with an ankle injury.

Celtics Box Score:

Key Players: Kemba Walker was fantastic leading all scorers with 32 points, including a few clutch buckets down the stretch in the 4th. Jaylen Brown added in 26 points and 9 rebounds while Tatum pitched in 24 points and 8 rebounds. Rookie Grant Williams also logged in valuable minutes and contributed defensively.

Mavericks Box Score:

Key Players: With Doncic out, the Mavs needed some players to step up. Former All-Star Kristaps Porzingis dropped a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out. Seth Curry added in 20 points, while rookie Jalen Brunson recorded a near triple-double with 10 points, 11 assists, and 7 boards.

Celtics at Pacers: 12/11/19

Final Score:

Summary: The Celtics dropped a tough game to the Pacers tonight, ending a 4-game winning streak. The game was close until the final buzzer, with Kemba Walker air-balling a 3-point attempt to seal our defeat. With this loss we dropped to third place in the Eastern Conference behind the Miami Heat, while the Pacers sit in the number 6 spot. We play the Sixers tomorrow at home.

Celtics Box Score:

Key Players: Kemba Walker was huge tonight dropping 44 points and 7 assists. Jaylen Brown scored 18 points, adding in 8 assists and 8 rebounds as well. Jayson Tatum added 16 points while Brad Wanamaker and Daniel Theis chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively.

Pacers Box Score:

Key Players: The Pacers had six players score in double figures. With all-star Victor Oladipo out with an injury, others have had to step up offensively. Malcolm Brogdon, a former Milwaukee Buck, dropped 29 points and 8 assists, while brothers Aaron and Justin Holiday added in 18 and 17 points respectively. Domantis Sabonis, son of former NBA player Arvydas Sabonis, recorded a near triple double dropping 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Nuggets at Celtics: 12/6/19

Final Score:

Summary: The Celtics beat the Denver Nuggets by 13 in a match-up on Friday, December 6th. The Nuggets are now 5th in the Western Conference, while the Celtics remain in the number 2 spot in the Eastern Conference.

Celtics Box Score:

Key Players: Tatum, Brown, and Walker continue to lead the team offensively, Marcus Smart is our perennial energy guru and defensive specialist, while our bench shows signs of promise each game. This roster is exciting to watch!

Nuggets Box Score:

Key Players: Nikola Jokic has solidified his spot as a top-5 big man in the league, and potentially the best passing big man in the league. Jamal Murray is another offensive threat and Michael Porter Jr. could start to impress with more minutes and a clean bill of health.

Blog Posts:

Does Better Chemistry Make This Years Team a Legitimate Contender?

A Pedigree of Excellence

Boston fans have grown accustomed to winning championships, not just making the playoffs. The Patriots in 2019, the Red Sox in 2018; it’s strange when we don’t win. We win rings, hang banners, throw parades, and then repeat. It’s the Boston way.

Perennial Disappointment After Big-3 Era

The Celtics have made the postseason in 11 of their last 12 NBA seasons. We’ve had exciting and optimistic seasons, particularly our incredible run with Isaiah Thomas at the helm. However, each year, since we hung banner 17 from the Garden rafters in 2008 and the Big 3 split in 2011, the Celtics have fallen short. Each year fans grow disappointed and frustrated by underachieving players, bad chemistry, and youthful mishaps.

We have one of the best coaches in the league in Brad Stevens, yet our results have not been satisfactory. We thought that Kyrie Irving was the answer, but he turned out to be an attitudinal player with an affinity towards selfishness and a lack of leadership skills. Good riddance!

The Times They Are Changin’

But this year feels different. The bad energy and drama seems to have caught the train to Brooklyn along with Kyrie. The team looks noticeably happier; players are more positive, chemistry is high, and the Celtics are once again playing for each other, as a team.

Doc River’s adopted the Swahili word “Ubuntu” in 2008, which means “I am because we are.” The Big 3 era Celtics bought into that message. They played for one purpose; to win a championship.

We may have traded down a little talent-wise in our deal for Kemba Walker, but we still got a top 10 point guard and all-star caliber player. He’s also won the leagues sportsmanship award numerous times; as we’ve seen so far, he is one of the nicest and most humble teammates we could hope for.

Kyrie may be a superior player, but not a superior teammate. Kemba is simply a better fit on this roster, and a more conducive asset to contend for a championship.

With Kyrie Irving gone, the Celtics may find themselves on the road to banner 18.

Jaylen Brown is cheered on by teammates after a win last week.

Young Stars

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have stepped up in a massive way this season. Jaylen is earning his 135 million dollar contract and Tatum is playing like a 2008 Paul Pierce.

Jaylen’s averaging 20.0 PTS, 6.9 TRB, and 1.9 AST through 18 games, while Tatum is averaging 21.2 PTS, 7.0 TRB, and 2.9 AST through 21 games.

These young guys are poised to become stars in this league, and this is their season to prove it. The Celts are 16-5 so far, good enough for second place in the East. Thank the Jay’s for that!

Key’s to Success Moving Forward

With Gordon Hayward returning from his hand injury on December 9th, the Celts will continue to cause trouble in the East.

Hayward was averaging 18.9 PTS, 7.1 TRB, and 4.1 AST on 55.5% FG through 8 games before breaking a bone in his left hand. Hayward was an all star in Utah before his horrendous season-ending ankle injury in 2017; if he can get back to that level, we will be dangerous.

We also need to add a seasoned big man to replace the void that Al Horford left when he joined the 76ers. We need a strong forward with scoring capabilities, defensive prowess, and rebounding skills.

Kevin Love is reportedly looking to leave Cleveland soon (I don’t blame him) and he would be the perfect fit for our squad. If we fill that big-man spot we will become legitimate championship contenders. The Lakers vs. Celtics rivalry is back!

Thoughts? Do you agree? Disagree? Let me know how you feel in the comments below! Follow me on all social media platforms to view and talk about all things sports!