NBA

Where Celtics’ Game 1 win ranks in NBA Finals history

Published

5 months ago

June 7, 2024

Admin

The Celtics have won 20 games by a margin of 25 or more points this season (playoffs included), setting a single-season NBA record for most such victories.

Let that sink in.

As it became clockwork, the Joe Mazzulla-led squad demolished another opponent on Thursday, and it just happened to be under the bright lights of the NBA Finals stage. With their 107-89 win over the Mavericks in Game 1, the Celtics replicated a feat achieved by only two modern teams, both of whom hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Some would call that a good omen for Boston’s chances of raising Banner No. 18.

During the regular season, the C’s registered an incredible 17 25-point wins, surpassing the previous record set by the Bucks (1970-71, 1971-72) and the Spurs (2015-16) who had 15 such wins. And since the postseason began, Boston has completed another three 25-point wins — against the Heat on May 1, the Cavaliers on May 7 and the Mavericks on Thursday.

None of those records would mean a thing if the Celtics fail to complete the mission of winning the NBA title. And their veteran group of players understands that better than anyone.

“Every game has its own story,” Jaylen Brown told reporters after Game 1. “We just got to stay ready, stay composed, and take it one game at a time. Next game, I’m sure they will make adjustments. We got to be able to read it on the fly and make plays. Guys got to step up.”

Brown stressing that the Celtics “got to step up” despite their dominant start suggests that his team isn’t willing to take the gas off the pedal.

On a side note, these Celtics are the first in franchise history to win eight consecutive playoff games. Even the Larry Bird- or Bill Russell-led Celtics weren’t this dominant.