The Boston Celtics are playoff-tested sufficient to know to not overvalue regular-season outcomes.
On Sunday, they led the No. 3 seed New York Knicks by as many as 27 factors en path to a lopsided 118-105 victory. They’re now 3-0 vs. the new-look Knicks this season with all three wins coming in convincing style.
New York beefed up its roster throughout the offseason to compete with the reigning NBA champions, however these strikes have not labored in its favor so far. What sort of message does Boston’s latest dominance ship to its Japanese Convention rival?
“No message,” Brown instructed NBC Sports activities Boston’s Abby Chin after Sunday’s win. “I feel we simply have been taking part in some good ball, and possibly we caught them on a nasty day. Something can occur within the playoffs, so we’re not overlooking anyone. So we have simply acquired to prepare for the playoffs.”
Brown and C’s coach Joe Mazzulla share the same mindset. Mazzulla was requested after Sunday’s recreation what being 3-0 towards the Knicks — with all three wins by double-digits — means.
“It means completely nothing,” he answered.
Though he is not underestimating the Knicks or anybody else, Brown admitted New York’s energetic offseason and different massive strikes within the East have given him additional motivation.
“Completely,” he stated. “I do not assume I want to elucidate why, nevertheless it does. So we’ll be prepared. Simply the playoffs, simply wanna be wholesome. The Cavs and Knicks, they’re good groups, so something can occur. We gotta concentrate on the small print, however I am trying ahead to it.”
The Celtics’ fiery mindset has matched their efficiency over their final 10 video games as they’ve gained 9 of them, together with 5 straight heading into Tuesday’s recreation in Toronto. Jaylen Brown (24 factors, 8 rebounds on Sunday) and the remainder of the group will look to maintain it rolling and catch the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers within the East standings.
Tuesday’s Celtics-Raptors matchup is about for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off on NBC Sports activities Boston.
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