The Boston Celtics are hitting their stride at just the right time. After sweeping a tough back-to-back over the weekend - first handling the Miami Heat, then taking care of the Toronto Raptors - Boston enters Monday night’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers with real momentum and a favorable path ahead.
Thanks to some timely help from around the conference, the Celtics got an extra boost during their day off on Sunday. Losses by the Heat, Raptors, and Atlanta Hawks nudged Boston up the standings, and they now sit third in the Eastern Conference at 17-11.
It’s not just the standings that look good - the on-court product is trending in the right direction, too. The Celtics have gone 12-4 over their last 16 games, and they’re playing with the kind of rhythm and confidence that contenders need heading into the heart of the season.
Part of that can be credited to some well-timed rest. Boston played just twice over an 11-day stretch earlier this month, giving the roster a chance to reset and recharge. Now, they’re not just healthy - they’re dangerous.
And here’s the kicker: the schedule is about to open up in a big way.
Starting with tonight’s home tilt against the 6-22 Pacers, the Celtics are staring down a stretch of seven straight games against teams with sub-.500 records. That’s not a typo.
Seven games, all against opponents currently on the outside looking in - and that includes a Pacers squad that’s dropped four straight and sits 28th in net rating. Without Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana’s offense has lacked direction, and their defensive issues haven’t helped either.
Boston, meanwhile, has been holding steady even without Jayson Tatum in the lineup. That’s no small feat - Tatum is the engine of this team - but the Celtics have leaned on their depth and defensive identity to keep the ship steady. They currently boast the league’s seventh-best net rating, which speaks volumes about how well this group is functioning on both ends of the floor.
After tonight, the Celtics get a three-day break before heading out on a five-game West Coast road trip. The opponents?
Indiana again, followed by Portland, Utah, Sacramento, and the Clippers - five teams with a combined .300 winning percentage heading into Monday night. And the best part?
No back-to-backs during the trip, which means fresh legs and full rotations for every game.
If Boston can take care of business during this stretch - and there’s every reason to believe they can - they’ll not only solidify their hold on the No. 3 seed, but they could also start to close the gap on the Pistons and Knicks ahead of them. It’s a prime opportunity to build some separation from the pack and set the tone heading into the new year.
It all starts tonight at TD Garden. The Celtics are rested, rolling, and ready - and the schedule is finally working in their favor.