On a micro level, Boston's defense was relentless Thursday. Of course, the Nets team they saw at Barclays Center on Thursday was missing a few pieces that would make life tough for the Celtics on that end of the floor. But when assessing the importance of this win, the little things aren't what matter most, as much as the Celtics did a lot right in their trip to Brooklyn.
"We feel like we found something the past few weeks," Al Horford said after the 129-106 win. "It's just good that, after the break, we came out and there (were) no steps back."
What really matters here is the big picture. With no Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, a meeting with the Nets should always go as Thursday's did. But Durant is due back soon, and Irving may soon be allowed to suit up for Brooklyn — regardless of where the game is being played. And if Ben Simmons takes the floor alongside those two, the Nets might finally turn into the team everyone was worried they'd become.
Even if the Celtics have to face just Irving and Durant when the Nets visit Boston on March 6, that's going to be a tough test. That meeting brings us to the larger point. It may seem like the Celtics have an easy post-NBA All-Star break schedule, but their opening four-game run is not an accurate representation of what's to come.
The Celtics entered Thursday's action with 22 games left on their schedule and the 10th-toughest strength of schedule for the remainder of 2021-22, per Tankathon. The rest of the way, Boston only has seven games against teams that wouldn't make the play-in tournament if the season ended now.
Additionally, the Celtics' 10th-toughest schedule in the NBA is the fourth toughest in the East and third-toughest amongst playoff contenders from the conference. The Bucks and Bulls are the only Eastern Conference playoff teams with a tougher post-NBA All-Star break schedule (and the Knicks are the lone non-playoff team in this group). Albeit slightly, the 76ers and Nets have an easier schedule the rest of the way — and both teams are getting some big help from superstar talents soon.
"As Brad Stevens would say, 'They all count as one, win or lose.'" Jayson Tatum said when asked if he and his teammates view Saturday's matchup against Detroit as a potential revenge game.
They may not be out for payback (the idea of seriously seeking revenge against the Pistons sounds ridiculous), but the Celtics need replicate what they did on Thursday in these few chances they have against lesser teams before the playoffs if they hope to have a favorable position by the time everyone is gearing up for the first round.
