How Joe Mazzulla is making history – Celtics performance so far
The Boston Celtics were going through a rough patch just before the 2022-23 NBA season, but Joe Mazzulla has inspired his team to a red-hot start.
In late September, the Boston Celtics appointed Mazzulla as their temporary head coach after suspending Ime Udoka for a year due to team rules violations. Flourishing under their new leadership, the team has achieved an NBA-best 12-3 record in just 15 games and is continuing to perform with unparalleled excellence.
The Boston Celtics have won six out of their last seven games, a noteworthy accomplishment. This is particularly impressive, given that they have been missing three starters for various periods during this stretch.
However, under Mazzulla’s leadership, the team has continued to perform well and has achieved an impressive record of 12-3, which is currently the best in the NBA, thus taking many of the headlines at the moment across the league.
Mazzulla’s achievement is particularly notable, as he now shares the second-best start by a first-year head coach in franchise history with Chad Ford of the 1990-91 Celtics. For Mazzulla to surpass Ford’s record, the Celtics will need to continue their winning streak, as Ford’s team went on a three-game winning streak after their third loss to achieve a 15-3 record.
Boston Celtics Historic Start to the Season
The Boston Celtics have been proving that their run to the NBA Finals last season was not just a fluke, as they have been the best team in the Eastern Conference since the beginning of the 2022-23 regular season. With star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the team, along with the help of Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and new addition Malcolm Brogdon, the Celtics look like they are set for another successful postseason run.
Although the Celtics experienced a brief rough patch, losing three out of their next four games after starting the season with a perfect 3-0 record, they quickly rebounded with an impressive nine-game winning streak. Although a loss snapped the streak to the Chicago Bulls on November 21, the Celtics have continued to perform strongly, winning eight of their next nine games and maintaining their momentum.
Under the leadership of head coach Joe Mazzulla, the Boston Celtics have undergone a notable shift in their style of play compared to the previous season under Ime Udoka. In the 2021-22 season, the team’s success was based mainly on their exceptional defense, which allowed the fewest points per game and boasted the second-best defensive rating. However, the Celtics have been performing exceptionally well offensively this season, with the league’s best offense and the highest offensive rating.
Although their defense has taken a slight step back, Marcus Smart, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has been performing impressively on both ends of the court. However, the show’s real stars have been Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, both having career-best offensive seasons and are on track to go down as one of the best duos in the history of the NBA.
Amidst all this, the fans are equally thrilled to see the outcome of their favorite team this season, especially as many in the Boston and surrounding New England area are about to get an entirely new way in which they can enjoy one of their favorite pastimes.
Sports betting is set to go live imminently within the state, which is why it is already possible to find a plethora of Massachusetts Sportsbook Promo Codes available for residents.
These bonus codes can make things potentially exciting for fans who are looking to get more from the action that they experience on the basketball court. Indeed, with the Celtics performing as well as they are currently, there will be many that may be getting excited about the possibilities that are on offer!
Additionally, the offseason acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon has provided much-needed scoring and playmaking from the guard position, an area in which the team lacked during their NBA Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors. Overall, the Celtics, under Mazzulla’s leadership, have transformed into a potent offensive force poised to make another deep postseason run.
The Boston Celtics, led by head coach Joe Mazzulla, have been successful this season, boasting the league’s best offense, led by All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and supported by Marcus Smart and offseason acquisition Malcolm Brogdon.
Derrick White, Al Horford, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams III have also provided valuable scoring depth for the team. While the defense has taken a step back, the Celtics have continued to win, so Mazzulla sees no reason to change the system.
The team won with the best defense last year, but they’re now winning with the best offense, which is why they’ll continue to let Tatum and Brown lead the way.
Odds of Celtics Winning the Championship
According to several sportsbooks, the Boston Celtics are the clear favorites to win the 2023 NBA Championship with odds of +350 and +360, respectively.
The Eastern Conference is not as competitive as last season, with teams such as the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat all struggling this year and not expected to make a deep playoff run. The Celtics’ top competitors in the East are currently the Brooklyn Nets, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but Boston has already proven they can beat the Nets by sweeping them in last year’s playoffs.
They have an elite duo in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, anchored by solid players like Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Malcolm Brogdon. Derrick White, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams III gave the team some crucial scoring depth. While their defense may have taken a step back under new head coach Joe Mazzulla, the team’s offense has been dominant and currently leads the league. With the Eastern Conference not as deep as last year, the Celtics are heavy favorites to win the NBA Championship and have proven they can handle some of the top teams in the conference.
Final Thoughts
The Boston Celtics are firing on all cylinders and are currently the most well-rounded team in the NBA. They are playing with confidence and poise, and their success last year showed they are not afraid of big moments. They are certainly favored to win the league this season with odds highly in their favor.