Boston Celtics Return to NBA Finals After Victory Over Pacers

In a thrilling 105-102 victory over the Indiana Pacers last Monday, the Boston Celtics have officially returned to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2022. This outcome should come as no surprise, given the Celtics’ dominance throughout the season.

The Celtics finished the regular season with a stellar 64-18 record, the only team to surpass the 60-win mark. They led the Eastern Conference by fourteen games and the Western Conference by seven games. Only seven teams in NBA history have entered the NBA Finals with fewer losses. Despite this dominance, labeling the Celtics as overwhelming favorites is challenging.

An Easy Path to the Finals

The Celtics’ playoff journey was notably smooth, facing injury-plagued opponents. As the top seed, their path was easier than anticipated, with no formidable adversaries.

In the first round, they faced the eighth-seeded Miami Heat, missing Jimmy Butler. Next, they played the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, who were without Jarrett Allen for the entire series and Donovan Mitchell for two games. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton’s left hamstring injury sidelined him for Games 3 and 4. Despite this, the Celtics only narrowly won those games by a combined six points. These struggles persisted throughout their postseason run.

They conceded a franchise-high 23 three-pointers in a Game 2 loss to the Heat and suffered a 24-point blowout at home against the Cavaliers in the Conference Semifinals. Such losses raised concerns about their readiness, as a team of their caliber shouldn’t falter against injured teams, especially in the postseason.

Clutch Performances

Despite past concerns about closing out big games, the Celtics have excelled in clutch situations this postseason. Their ability to finish games strongly has been crucial. In the 2022 NBA Finals, they were seen as the more talented team but lost to the Golden State Warriors due to inexperience and turnovers. Last season, they struggled to reach the Eastern Conference Finals and lost in seven games to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat.

This postseason, the Celtics boast a 43.9 net rating in clutch situations, the highest of any team. They are 4-0 when entering the last five minutes with a point differential of five or less. Improved ball security and better shot selection have been key factors. The Celtics have shown resilience and execution under pressure.

While their path to the Finals has been relatively easy, the Celtics have demonstrated their ability to step up when it matters. Whether they are truly battle-tested remains to be seen, but they have proven capable of performing in critical moments.