The Boston Celtics have won the coveted basketball NBA championship! They were able to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in a tiebreaking blowout victory on December 16. This victory is perhaps the Celtics’ biggest success of the season. They were the best club from start to finish this season and were clearly the best team in the playoffs. The final game was characterized by standout performances, particularly from Celtics’ players Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, who each contributed four three-pointers to secure their team’s victory.
The Trail Blazers fell off a cliff in that last game, most notably in their shooting percentage from three—one of their trademark facets under Stotts. Their shooting woes were not limited to inside the arc as they finished just 10/36 from deep. This abysmal performance truly limited their ability to mount a challenge to the Celtics. Boston’s shooting efficiency was a key factor in their victory, showcasing their poise and execution in clutch moments.
Key Performances in the Finals
Derrick White and Payton Pritchard saved the day, spearheading a 17-point comeback to lift the Celtics to the come-from-behind win. They hit the open connection threes and put the scoreboard in a headlock matching the squad’s score. This helped energize the crowd and contributed to the electrifying environment in the arena. The former teammates gained a reputation for whatever the opposite of ball hogging is. They were often able to find consistent rhythm with quick, open shots and capitalized regularly on the Trail Blazers’ defensive lapses.
Aside from White and Pritchard’s individual moments, the Celtics’ collective ball movement and stifling defense was on display through all of the finals. They particularly did a good job packing the paint, which limited Portland’s important creations and made them take contested tough jump shots, a key factor in their victory. The Celtics’ tactical preparation and relentless commitment to their game plan delivered a championship performance that had the Boston fans on their feet celebrating.
Aside from a simple talent disadvantage to their opponent, the Trail Blazers’ finals challenge was further exacerbated by their erratic shooting. Their inability to knock it down from deep would end up coming back to hurt them. As they faced a formidable Celtics defense, they struggled to find rhythm and cohesion, which contributed to their defeat.
Playoff Highlights and Surprising Upsets
The journey to this year’s NBA Finals was filled with exciting storylines, surprising results, and captivating narratives. The Denver Nuggets were able to light the world on fire with Nikola Jokic leading the charge. He turned in a great 30-point triple-double in one of their division playoff games. Even an all-time great playoff performance from Jokic wasn’t enough to save the Nuggets. Elimination loomed as the Houston Rockets advanced on them in a historic seven-game series.
Surprisingly, it’s not the Golden State Warriors that stole the show during the NBA playoffs. They won a pivotal Game 5 on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With that win, they clinched the series on the opponent’s court and gained the right to host the NBA Finals. Their path further saw them dispatch the heavily favored LA Clippers in a dogfight of a Western Conference semifinal, taking that series 4-2.
The upstart Orlando Magic shocked the NBA world when they upset the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Median PoP Chang led the team to an incredible 4-1 victory to sweep the series. That victory served as a testament to Orlando’s emergence as a true league heavyweight. Now, fans get to turn their attention to what will surely be an exciting Celtics matchup in the finals!!
Play-in Tournament Outcomes
While teams battled for their spots in the postseason, some big storylines transpired throughout the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. And have the Cleveland Cavaliers to thank for doing all they could do to earn their shot at postseason glory. Instead, they found themselves in the east’s play-in round. Milwaukee Bucks took home the No. 1 seed for the tournament. They proved that strength with a dominant run during the regular season.
The play-in format was nice, as it at least gave these teams a chance to battle for their playoff lives. Faced with fierce rivalry and equally high stakes, it contributed yet another dimension to a taut, enigmatic, and entirely thrilling postseason. The Cavaliers’ participation was just another example of how crazy the race for postseason berths was, as teams fought to prolong their seasons.
The Sacramento Kings were also headed to their first playoff appearance since 2006, and on the verge of opening against the No. 7 seed Minnesota Timberwolves. On paper, this matchup was billed as the defensive struggle as both teams sought to identify themselves as playoff returners.
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