Consider the demons exorcised. In a Sunday matinee, the Boston Celtics crushed the Golden State Warriors 140-88.
Looking at the big picture, the Celtics have inarguably been the best team in the league. The numbers don’t lie. Prior to today, their record (47-12) and +10.9 net rating (121.5 offensive rating for first in NBA history, 110.6 defensive rating for third in the league) confirm that dominance. Spoiler alert: those numbers are going to be even better.
But on a game-to-game basis, there are teams that can give Boston trouble — not just this year, but seemingly always.