#celtics

#celtics

It's always a special atmosphere when these two teams meet, but tonight's game at Chase Center feels particularly heavy for both sides. The Celtics are coming into the second half of the season looking like a legitimate juggernaut, holding onto the second seed in the East despite the massive hole left by Jayson Tatum's absence. Jaylen Brown has stepped into that primary role and has been one of the season's best storylines. He's playing with a level of aggression and efficiency that has completely shifted the ceiling for this Boston squad.

The advantages: the speed we can play with on the offensive end, the dribble-drive, the pace that we can create. Defensively we can pressure a little bit more.

A game recap of Wednesday's 131-95 victory, published on Celtics.com and NBA.com, praised Boston's leading scorers Payton Pritchard and Derrick White, in that order.

"I'm very motivated. The last two years for me was, in my eyes, a disappointment. Just injuries kind of stopped me and held me back."

Wyc is obviously still the governor and has been obviously very, very active, said Brad Stevens regarding Grousbeck's involvement with the Celtics this offseason.

Josh Minott, a 22-year-old forward who spent last season with the Iowa Wolves, joins the Celtics as a young, athletic player with upside.

As you look at the rest of the team and what we're trying to do, there is no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back. Those guys are huge parts of this organization. They're going to have, I'm sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that's well-deserved, but I think that would be a priority. At the same time, I don't want to put pressure on them.

Jrue Holiday's trade to Portland diminishes fantasy relevance, while Anfernee Simons joining Boston offers potential upside in a high-usage role, especially with Jayson Tatum injured.