Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics Have Surpassed 2018 Golden State Warriors Squad In 1 Telling Area That Should Scare Rest Of NBA

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 3/18/24

The Boston Celtics are looking every bit the favorite to win the Eastern Conference. If you think they are also going to win the NBA title this year, that is not a stretch as well, given the way they have been dominating the competition in the regular season. They are already a lock to make the playoffs, having won 53 games in their first 67 games of the 2023-24 NBA campaign.

In other words, the Celtics are an extremely dangerous team to face for any team, from either the East or the West.

The Boston Celtics Are On An Incredible Pace Amid Scorching Hot Season

The Celtics are even at the point where they have exceeded that incredibly high-powered, Kevin Durant-led 2017-18 version of the Golden State Warriors in one particularly telling statistical area, according to Shane Young of Forbes Sports.

Warriors at this point in 2017:
53-14 record
+726 scoring margin

Celtics at this point in 2024:
53-14 record
+767 scoring margin

As a coach once said, take that for data.

This is the result of the Celtics being elite on both sides of the court. At the time of this writing, they are No. 1 in the league overall in adjusted offensive rating with 122.2 points scored per 100 possessions and No. 2 in adjusted defensive rating with just 111.0 points per 100 possessions.

Boston can have a bad night offensively, and their defense will keep them in a game. Conversely, their defense can stink for a night and their offense can pick up the slack, thanks to the team’s depth and overall firepower.

After crushing the Washington Wizards in a 130-104 road win on Sunday for their 53rd win of the season, the Celtics extended their win streak to five games. This undefeated run will likely continue with the Celtics hosting the lowly Detroit Pistons at TD Garden this Monday night.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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