Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Two months ago, these perpetually changing Celtics, having traded away both Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green, were 13 games under .500 and embarking on a six-game road trip out West that was supposed to ensure their spot in the high lottery. Boston pulled off a pair of one-point victories in Portland and Denver and everything changed.
Boston is 17-10 since that point. It was still 13 games under .500 after an overtime loss to the Lakers a month ago, but has really turned things around since that point, posting a 10-3 mark over the past month.
“Obviously, we’re judged on wins and losses, but I don’t really know about the total number [of wins] or how many games out of how many games,” Stevens said. “I just think I knew we were on the right track. Even when we were losing earlier in the year, I felt like we had made a lot of progress, tactically and technically, on both sides of the ball. It was just a matter of getting us over the hump. And we found a group that’s really connected and playing well and we’re fortunate that they’ve continued to play well with guys out.
“I mean, four straight [wins] without Isaiah [Thomas] now, and three straight before without Avery. It’s not easy to play without basically your two leading scorers, not even including [injured Jared] Sullinger in that. So it’s been good, and the next man stepped up.”
No matter how many times I read off stats like 17-10, 10-3, 7 out of 8, and 5 in a row, I still can’t believe it’s happening.
This roster has undergone 11 trades and included 40 players.
40!
The next man up mantra is real. It’s so real, I forgot about Jared Sullinger’s season ending foot injury.
And while I’m sitting here in a green haze wondering how this all happened, our head coach is sitting back with the nerdiest smirk imaginable:
In Brad, we trust. Tactically, technically and every way possible.
On Page 2, it’s highly unlikely Isaiah Thomas makes the road trip.
Thomas got the bad news during a meeting with Celtics trainer Ed Lacerte yesterday morning. The pain in his back was still too intense to allow him to play last night, thus extending his absence to four straight games. And the time frame is worse.
The Celtics leave tomorrow for games in Oklahoma City and San Antonio, and Thomas will spend that time getting treatment here.
“He’ll be reevaluated tomorrow, but right now I’d say it’s unlikely he travels,” Stevens said before last night’s game. “He’s still three games away, which is too bad. He really wants to play. To say he’s antsy is an understatement.”
No further tests have been deemed necessary for Thomas.
“Ed said it’s as tough of a bruise as he’s ever seen,” Stevens said. “Nobody wants to play more than that kid. That’s what I appreciate about him. He had himself convinced he would play the next day after he fell. Hopefully he gets better sooner rather than later. He’s a tough kid. Nobody questions that. He’s doing nothing running-wise, movement-wise. He started jogging on the treadmill. But he hasn’t been able to push himself as much as he needed to.”
A lumbering center might be able to play through such a bone bruise, but not the shifty, lighting fast Thomas.
Oh well, gotta let him rest up and be 100% for the final playoff push.
But don’t sleep on us, Milwaukee. We coming for that 6th seed.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Celtics streak a group effort | Herald – Right where Celtics belong | Good to see Philly again | WEEI – 5 things we learned…
Apologies for the lack of links, gotta run…
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