Celtics’ Smooth Playoff Run
The Boston Celtics have had an impressive playoff run this season, winning 12 out of 14 games and advancing to the NBA Finals for the second time since 2022. However, there is skepticism about their dominance, with critics suggesting that their success might be due to opponents’ injuries rather than sheer prowess. Recent statistics from The Athletic support this theory.
High Opponent Injury Rate
According to The Athletic, the Celtics have faced a significant number of games where their opponents were missing key players. Over the past 25 years, the Celtics rank first with a 64.3% rate of opposing All-Stars and All-NBA players missing games during their playoff run.
Key Injuries in Each Round
In the first round, the Celtics faced the Miami Heat without Jimmy Butler for all five games. In the second round, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers missed the last two games due to injury. During the Eastern Conference Finals, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers was absent for the final two games.
Comparative Performance
The Celtics’ average playoff victory margin of 10.1 points per game is impressive. In the past 25 years, only the 2017 Warriors, 2017 Cavaliers, 2016 Cavaliers, and 2001 Lakers have performed better on their way to the Finals. However, those four teams combined faced only eight games with key opponents missing, while the Celtics encountered nine such games this season.
Proving Their Worth
To silence the critics, the Celtics need to demonstrate their strength against a fully equipped Dallas Mavericks team, led by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks have defeated strong teams like the Clippers, Thunder, and Timberwolves, each with over 50 regular-season wins.
Facing the Mavericks
The Celtics will face the Mavericks at home, aiming to prove that their success is not merely due to the misfortune of their opponents. This series will be a critical test to validate their dominance and cement their place as deserving champions.
Looking Ahead
As the Finals approach, the Celtics are focused on overcoming any doubts about their legitimacy. They aim to showcase their true capabilities and solidify their reputation as one of the best teams in recent NBA history. (7XM)