Three reasons the Celtics should be motivated for NBA Cup games

Three reasons the Celtics should be motivated for NBA Cup games originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics tip off group play in the Emirates NBA Cup on Tuesday night with a visit from the Atlanta Hawks. That’s the same Hawks team that Boston routed by 30 little more than a week ago. And Atlanta is even more battered and bruised with Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter headlining a list of Hawks players already ruled out.

The Celtics could easily downshift. They could easily dismiss the notion of this year’s in-season tournament. But here are three reasons why we think the team could find motivation in this year’s NBA Cup:

Reaffirm that title season was no fluke

The Celtics spent much of the offseason hearing about how their playoff path was soft and how the team benefited from the injuries other teams were navigating.

Given that Boston’s postseason quests have routinely been derailed by untimely injuries, it’s all a bit ironic. But there’s nothing Boston can do to change anyone’s mind about the past. They can, however, send an early-season message that their success last year was no fluke.

Look, it’s hard to find motivation over the course of 82 games when you’ve been to the mountaintop. You start thinking about the doldrums that invade in January and February, and it’s hard for any team to keep their foot on the accelerator. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla tries to break down the season into little miniature themes with the idea that it’s easy to digest the season in, say, 10-game appetizers rather than an 82-game buffet.

The Celtics have already sent a message with a 9-2 start, but this cluster of NBA Cup games over the next month offers a growing stage to remind anyone who isn’t paying close enough attention just how good this team is.

Winning the NBA Cup isn’t necessarily the prize — and this team certainly won’t be raising any banners like a certain squad in Southern California — but it’s a chance for a roster that looks almost identical to last season to showcase just how far ahead of the field they remain.

Money for the budget crew

Brad Stevens has handed out roughly $1…

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Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-11-12 16:10:00

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