Boston Celtics are putting the East on notice (win streak hits 7)

A bounce in their steps and riding a seven-game winning streak, the Boston Celtics are settling into a groove. They have a chance to up the ante this coming week, too, with three games before heading into the All-Star break.

Currently holding down the 7th-seed in the Eastern Conference, only five games separate Boston from the top-spot. It’s been a climb as the Celtics continue to find ways to win. A lot has been said about the teams they are defeating in this win streak but the bottom line is that Boston is winning these games.

And if that trend continues to hold through the week, the Celtics and fans will be in good spirits heading into the break.

Boston Celtics: Upcoming games

A chance for Boston to put more distance between them and the teams trailing them tips-off Sunday (2/13) afternoon when the Atlanta Hawks come to town.

The last time these teams met, it was Atlanta who was dealt the good hand with a winning streak. The Hawks flexed their muscles against the Celtics, leading by 15 at the half. Boston battled back to within three heading into the fourth quarter but ended up losing to the Hawks by 16.

That was the last time Boston lost and the Celtics will look to defeat the Hawks for the first time in 2021-22. Earlier this season, the Hawks won by 11 in a game which Robert Williams and Jaylen Brown did not play.

Next up might be the biggest game of the week; one in which a true barometer of where this new, feel-good Celtics team stands. On Tuesday (2/15), the Celtics hit the road to take on the Philadelphia 76ers for the final regular season meeting between the clubs.

These Sixers have a new-look feel to them as well, acquiring James Harden to pair with MVP-candidate Joel Embiid.

Boston is 1-2 against Philadelphia this season, with their last match-up coming on January 14. This was a 12-point Philly victory.

The Celtics are 11-3 since that loss. Philadelphia is one among many contenders in a very competitive Eastern Conference but Boston is playing their way back into the conversation.

Finishing out the week is a Wednesday (2/16) game hosting the Detroit Pistons. Boston defeated the Pistons a little over a week ago, 102-93.

Team effort propels Boston Celtics

Team efforts were being asked of the Boston Celtics a few weeks back to help ease the load Jayson Tatum and Brown were shouldering.

Players across the board have responded, including Marcus Smart and Williams, who both continue to see their stock rising.

Of course, it helps when two victories of 30+ points happen during the week and starters don’t have to play much more than 30 minutes in those blowouts.

That team effort carried over to Friday’s 108-102 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

Five players were in double figures, led by Tatum’s 24. Smart and Williams both had outstanding games, on each end of the floor. Smart had 22 points and 7 assists. While he did have five turnovers, Smart turned it up on defense, finishing with five steals.

Williams added another double-double to his resume with 15 points and 16 rebounds, adding three blocked shots.

Newly acquired Derrick White also contributed to the victory with 15 points and six rebounds off the bench.

The bench will have a new look with White and the return of Daniel Theis. With Grant Williams and his solid play, it will be interesting to see how these three gel on the floor.

This kind of effort across the board was needed against the Nuggets on a night Brown (4-17 from the field) struggled. The Celtics have been taking the time to make the extra pass, find the open player and have been able to take some of the scoring ease off of Tatum and Brown.

Keeping that style of play will be needed. A solid trade deadline helped move the Celtics even more in the right direction. Three-point shooting can still be a struggle for the team but lately their strong play in other aspects of the game have helped overcome that streaky shooting. The Celtics are geared up for the final stretch post the All-Star break, in which the best hopes are that everything continues to come up aces.