NEW YORK – If the Boston Celtics hope to establish themselves as road warriors this season, then this week's strong string of performances away from home certainly proved to be a positive sign.
Boston capped off a three-game, road trip sweep Wednesday night as it cruised to a 111-92 win over the Nets in Brooklyn.
The C's had also earned wins Saturday in Detroit and Monday in Minnesota, marking just their second complete sweep of a three-plus game road trip since 2010.
And these weren't weak, undemanding wins by any means. Each one was impressive in its own right.
The first one came on the second night of a back-to-back against a Pistons team that had yet to lose at home. The next came against a young, athletic Timberwolves squad that had led by 15 points before the C's stormed back in the fourth quarter. And the final game, as indicated by the score above, was a complete blowout in Brooklyn.
After going 3-5 during its previous eight contests, Boston badly needed a successful road trip like this. As a result, the team's swagger was soaring as it flew home Wednesday night.
“For us to win three games in a row on the road, and one of the games be a back-to-back, is big for us,” Avery Bradley said after Wednesday's win. “I think it does a lot for our team, (a lot for) our confidence level.”
The Celtics had been struggling to find an identity prior to this road trip, as they dealt with a plethora of injuries during the first few weeks of the season. Boston returned to full strength Saturday night, however, and is finally beginning to discover its persona.
“Everybody's healthy. Everybody's starting to click with each other,” said Marcus Smart. “Everybody's starting to use each other and see what each others' tendencies are and get everybody in their right spots to succeed.”
Wednesday's game was a perfect example of that, as Boston played unselfish basketball and displayed some of its best ball movement all season.
The team dished out 26 assists, including eight apiece from Al Horford and Marcus Smart.
“When we play that way I feel that way I feel that we're at our best; I feel like everybody has more fun,” said Horford. “There are nights when we can do it the other way, but when we're moving it like that, we become special.”
The Celtics also improved their aggressiveness during the trip, which Brad Stevens says is a major key to road success.
“You have to make physical plays on the road,” said Stevens. “Rebound like (we did) the other night in Minnesota. Have some drives and finishes like today. Make some defensive plays where you're holding your ground. If you can't do that, then it's hard to win on the road.”
Boston, during the last five days, did all of that, and more.
“It's getting easier,” said Isaiah Thomas. “We're starting to mesh a little better.”
“It's still going to take some time because guys have been out, but at the same time we're getting back to our ways on the defensive end and we're playing unselfishly offensively, so those are two big positives that we need to be successful.”
Boston returned home shortly after midnight on Thanksgiving morning, and will have a day off before hosting the San Antonio Spurs Friday afternoon.
The Spurs are the ultimate example of a road warrior team, having compiled a league-best 8-0 record away from home this season.
“They're a very good team,” said Bradley. “And we want to be the first team they lose to on the road.”
Then it's back to the road again for Celtics, as they will go on to play nine of their next 13 games away from home. And hopefully some of this weeks momentum will travel with them.
