Although the Celtics are sporting the best record in the league right now, the team is coming off a disappointing loss to the lowly Atlanta Hawks after blowing a 30-point lead, which is telling, especially with Trae Young not playing due to a finger injury.
Even though the Celtics dropped a game against one of the worst teams in the league, which didn’t even have it’s best player on the floor, Boston was one of the hottest teams in the league coming into this game, having won nine straight games.
However, former Celtics player Kendrick Perkins believes the loss to the Hawks could give teams the blueprint on how to beat Boston in the upcoming NBA playoffs vis NBA on ESPN.
“This is a habit. And teams are looking at them and saying you know what? If we do those things we could actually beat them,” Perkins said.
.@KendrickPerkins and @chiney are concerned about the Boston Celtics' blown 30-point lead to the Atlanta Hawks 👀
Could these tendencies hurt Boston in the playoffs? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/yNKCH7K0VV
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 26, 2024
With the Celtics dominating the competition on a nightly basis throughout the 2023-24 regular season, Boston is bound to slip every once in a while, even if it is the Hawks without Young on the floor.
Obviously, opposing teams will be taking notes any time the Celtics fall to an opponent moving forward, as Boston looks like the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, but it is a little ridiculous to jump to conclusions after one loss to an inferior team.
Only time will tell if the Celtics have truly shown a weakness here, but it’s safe to say they’ll head into the playoffs as the league’s elite team in the East.