The Cleveland Cavaliers might have held onto the East’s top seed throughout the season, but the Boston Celtics are widely considered the East’s best team and the league’s top-tier team. That’s no disrespect to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have essentially rampaged through the league since day one. Boston is simply a complete team all around. If the Thunder were to lose Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, god forbid, to an injury, OKC is done. That is not the case for the Celtics; if either Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum went down in the playoffs, they still have a solid chance of competing and contending. Would they be locked-in title winners? That’s another question, but their chances would be far greater than OKC’s. However, it’s not Brown or Tatum that holds the keys to Boston’s upcoming postseason run. In Brown’s eyes, it’s another Celtics star.
Jaylen Brown Insists Celtics’ Playoff Run Hinges on Star Teammate
Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Praises Kristaps Porziņģis; Says ‘He’s the Key’
Kristaps Porziņģis has had his bout with injuries since joining the Celtics; that’s a fact. Still, his impact while healthy has been nothing but instrumental. He was vital to their regular season success last year, their playoff run, and eventual raising of the trophy. Interestingly enough, once the 2024-25 regular season ends, Porziņģis will have played fewer games than last season (57). Despite that, Brown is confident in what Porziņģis brings to the table, and the playoffs are no exception. Brown is adamant that formerly-crowned “The Unicorn” is the Celtics key to another postseason run, as long as one specific element remains intact. On Wednesday, he spoke about Porziņģis’s impact following Boston’s 132-102 defeat of the Phoenix Suns.
“He’s been great, he’s been balling, been playing well, shooting the ball well, making the right plays, and big time, we going to need him this year in the playoffs. Keep him healthy, he’s the key, KP’s been balling all season.”
Brown’s emphasis on health is key before Porziņģis is the key because if he’s not healthy, or suppose he gets injured and takes a seat for a few games or longer, Boston loses an incredibly important player in their rotation. Porziņģis is having a career year shooting the three-ball (40.3%). His production is solid all around, almost mirroring last year’s numbers. In 37 games this season, he’s averaging 19.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field.
Why Boston Over Cleveland
It might be too late for the Celtics to catch the Cavaliers and overtake them for the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. That said, as good as Cleveland has been this year, Boston is still the conference’s number-one threat. Both squads have superior and formidable starting fives compared to the rest of the league, but Boston has the greater talent, skill, experience, and playoff testing on their side. In a season series split 2-2, all four contests were relatively close throughout, and Tatum and Donovan Mitchell were each side’s top scorers in all four matchups. It may come down to whose superstar scores the most. Or, it may come down to which starting five out duels the other. If that’s the case, the advantage lies with Boston.
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