With less than 30 games into the new NBA season, we already have a sense of what each team’s campaign is going to be like. Which teams have been fun to watch? Which teams are tanking for the 7-foot-3 talent out of France? Which up-and-coming teams should we keep an eye on? More importantly, who are the contenders that will vie for the title? That’s what the Boston Celtics and LA Clippers are trying to answer.
Owning the league’s best record heading into their matchup against the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics wanted to know if they were ready to become NBA champions. It was a Finals rematch and the top team in the East looked primed and ready to put the defending champs to the test.
Jayson Tatum has been playing at an MVP level. Jaylen Brown remains just as exceptional. Marcus Smart continues to be the heart and soul of the squad. Role players Grant Williams, Derrick White, plus newcomer Malcolm Brogdon have been holding the fort. The Celtics have come out this season with a sense of purpose following last season’s shortcomings.
But the Warriors proved they are still ahead of the competition following their 123-107 win over the Celtics. The Splash Brothers combined for 66 points and left no doubt that they are still the team to beat.
Sunday’s matchup was a good litmus test for the Celtics. They want what the Warriors have and a stunning loss would allow them to look in the mirror and see which areas they can still improve on. With a 21-6 record, they still pace the entire league. Barring any major changes, they’ll most likely remain one of the top teams in the East heading into the playoffs.
If the Celtics are championship contenders this season, could the same be said about the LA Clippers?
LA has a 15-13 record so far. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have played only a handful of games because of load management and nagging injuries. John Wall has provided some moments of brilliance, showing flashes of his old self. Role players Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, and Norman Powell have been steady. But health has been a major issue for them. Everyone, and not just Leonard and George, has been in and out of the lineup for a variety of injuries. You're never sure who might show up to play. Are they ready to challenge the rest of the West?
The New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies seem to be on the verge of taking the league by storm. They’re young, athletic, and have all the makings of being a team to be reckoned with come the postseason. That being said, are the Clippers falling behind?
The season is still young but the Clippers have to be somewhat concerned about where they stand among contenders. They don’t have a young core that has a bright future. They’re also not clear-cut challengers to the throne. Are they simply going to be a middle-tier team and hope they make it into the playoffs?
If the Clippers want to shake up their season and be recognized as one of the elite teams, they should beat the Celtics on their home floor. This could be a turning point that they can look to build on. And for the Celtics, if the game against the Warriors was a failed test, they’d want to bounce back as soon as possible against a veteran team like the Clippers.
