Even after Tuesday’s 112-105 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics path the Cavs by 4.5 video games within the race for the highest seed within the East. However Tuesday’s sport proved the Celtics can do harm away from house.
Cleveland is on tempo to earn the highest seed and home-court benefit, however Boston has now crushed the Cavs on their house courtroom. Whereas the Cavaliers have the second-best house file within the NBA with a 24-4 mark, trailing solely the 21-3 Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the Celtics have the most effective highway file at 20-6. They’ve really been higher away from the TD Backyard, the place they’re 16-9.
Boston was virtually unbeatable on the highway in final 12 months’s playoffs, dropping solely Recreation 4 of the NBA Finals whereas going 7-1. Against this, each the Miami Warmth and the Cavaliers took a sport in Boston, and the Indiana Pacers took them to extra time.
It has been a development. In 2023, the Celtics had been 5-6 at house within the playoffs, and 6-3 on the highway. In 2022, they had been 6-6 at house, and 8-4 on the highway.
Maybe the Celtics merely focus higher in entrance of a hostile crowd. Possibly the depth and screaming of Boston followers makes the house workforce tighten up in massive moments. Possibly Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown like consuming at eating places in different cities. Possibly they’re fearful about disappointing Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in particular person.
For no matter purpose, home-court benefit hasn’t been a bonus in any respect for the Celtics. The unhealthy information for the Cavaliers is that their improbable season might result in their first high seed since 2016 — and put them proper the place the Celtics need them. At house.
