Kyrie Irving is confident that the Boston Celtics have enough depth to “make a very deep run” in the playoffs despite their up-and-down play. By Ben Golliver Ben Golliver NBA reporter Email Bio Follow March 12 at 7:00 AM LOS ANGELES — When the Boston Celtics embarked on a west coast swing to open last week, they appeared to be flirting with crisis.
Boston carries itself with a flippancy that functions as both a gift and a curse. Against the Warriors, the Celtics came out loose, racing to an 11-0 lead over the champs and never looking back. Against the Clippers, Irving and guard Jaylen Brown spent a portion of pregame warm-ups doubled over with laughter during a dance-off. The Celtics then proceeded to give up 140 points — the highest point total by a Boston opponent in 25 years.“We need to get out of L.A.,” Irving said with a smirk.
“They play as hard as anybody we’ve played against,” Stevens said, after Lou Williams poured in a game-high 34 points to lead seven Clippers in double figures. “It’s hard to find a group that plays that well together and that plays with that kind of intensity. I’m sure [Rivers] is having a blast.” And against Golden State, Gordon Hayward poured in 30 points and posted a plus-32 in arguably his best and most complete game of the season. He fared much worse against the Clippers, managing just eight points and a minus-20 in 22 forgettable minutes off the bench.
NBA teams draw their identities from their best players, and the Celtics are no exception. While Irving made his name with his wizard-like handles and a Finals-clinching jumper, he built his brand by leaning into his unpredictability.
Shut up