The Celtics Current Run Of Dominance Continues With ANOTHER Playoff Blowout Win To Take Game 1

Brian Babineau. Getty Images.

Given what we lived through the last few years when it comes to playoff games at the Garden, I think fans will always be a little apprehensive and nervous prior to every home playoff game this year. An NBA best 37-4 during the year was great, but then Game 2 vs MIA happened and from that moment on the uneasiness will always exist. It sounds crazy given how good this team looks and how well they've played in this building, but that's what happens when you suffer from extreme postseason PTSD.

Which is why the Celts Game 1 performance of this series felt so damn good. When this team is playing at its best, it is a machine. No screwing around, no playing stupid, no bad habits, just an endless 48 minutes of execution and dominance. Tonight marked the 5th time in 6 playoff games that the Celts have had at least a 20 point lead. Coming out and punching first like this is the performance we all hoped for and frankly most expected, and once again this team played to our expectations. If we're being honest, I'd say this was only their B/B+ level performance. Considering that translated to a 25 point win, I'd say that's pretty fucking good.

It's not as if this entire game was a 20 point lead, things floated around 10-14 for most of the way until the Celts clamped defensively and busted things wide open once their 3s started dropping, and I think that's what I like about it. They had to consistently execute on both ends to truly put this game away, and those reps are important. Sure we all love when they get out to a massive lead early and are never threatened, but there's value in having a 10 point lead and maintaining it, preventing big runs by your opponent and finding ways to extend the lead yourself.

Tonight that mostly meant give the ball to Jaylen Brown and Derrick White and then get the hell out of the way. Easily one of Jaylen's better playoff games ever and with Derrick White what more is there to say? The highest compliment I can give him is my brain has officially entered him into the Ray Allen Zone, which is defined by my belief that whatever shot he takes, my brain is convinced every single one is going in. The leap he is making before our eyes is generational, and to say he's put this team on his back to start this postseason doesn't really do it justice. Catch and shoot, off the dribble, in the paint, there isn't a level he can't score from, and he's only getting better.

A huge part of this playoff run and probably our biggest collective question was if the Celts could avoid playing with their food and making their life harder on themselves. Their path to the Finals has never been better, Jokic is on the ropes, now is the time to lock in and play like a goddamn machine. Be the overwhelming basketball force that had it's way with the entire league during the regular season. Play Celtics basketball. 

Our answer?

So far so good. There's a long way to go and a LOT of basketball to be played, but all we can do is evaluate based on what we've seen. The Celts have lived up to their billing so far during this run, and that is what matters. They are expected to dominate, and they are dominating, that's all you could really ask for.

The beauty of course is it can still get better. Tatum hasn't been able to hit a shot all playoffs, Jrue's offense is legit terrifying, they get to add KRISTAPS PORZGINIS to this group eventually, there are more levels to go. What we learned tonight is that the Cavs are going to have to play out of their minds to keep pace, as long as the Celtics continue to stay focused and play the right way. Move the ball, play defense

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and the wins will follow. 

You know the drill by now, we'll do the full deep dive together tomorrow morning. For now, we take 1-0 and we begin to mentally prepare for a much hungrier Cavs team in Game 2. Do not let your foot off the gas.

P.S.

Donovan Mitchell is such a terrifying player to defend. He makes everything and never seems to get tired. Then when he is tired, he STILL makes everything. A true playoff riser in every sense. It doesn't matter who you put on him, when he wants to score, he scores. What a player.