The Celtics have done nothing but tease us over the last two years. They string together a few wins in a row before suffering a devastating defeat, and then the cycle repeats itself.
They're never able to break through … except possibly now.
The Celtics defeated the Magic 116-83 Sunday and are in the midst of their most dominant stretch in years. They've won a season-high five games in a row and seven of their last eight to propel themselves back into the playoff picture. Boston has reached the 30-win threshold before the Nets, who will come to the TD Garden Tuesday battling inner-turmoil.
The roles have been reversed.
The Celtics unveiled a suffocating defensive effort Sunday, holding the Magic to just 15 points in the first quarter. They held the Pistons to 16 points in the first quarter Friday.
During this streak, the Celtics have led wire-to-wire in five of out of eight games. In a sixth, they trailed the Pelicans 2-0 before taking control.
"We're living up to our identity," coach Ime Udoka told reporters, via the Globe. "We talk about it coming out, to jump out with the right intention early and not give teams hope."
Jaylen Brown, who scored a career-high 50 points in an overtime win last month against the Magic, led the Celtics with 26. He's averaging 25 points per game this calendar year to go along with seven rebounds and fair assists.
Jayson Tatum contributed with 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. The highlight of the game came when Brown posterized Mo Bamba with a one-handed slam midway through the third quarter.
And just like that, the Celtics are back — with authority.
For weeks, it's been assumed the Celtics will sell off veteran pieces at the trade deadline in an effort to slip under the luxury tax. Dennis Schroder's expiring $5.9 million deal is probably their most attractive asset, but the dynamic guard could play a vital role in any second-half run.
He added 22 points off the bench Sunday.
"It is what it is," Schroder told reporters after the game. "It's a business, but I like the guys, the organization; I love them. So, end of the day, when I go somewhere else, that's how the business goes. But I love the guys here and if I'm staying here, of course that would be better."
The Celtics still have a long way to go, but it's worth mentioning their winning streak isn't entirely comprised of victories over bottom dwellers like Orlando. They've beaten the Heat and Hornets, too.
In other words, they've shown they can hang with anybody. The Celtics are contenders again.
