Last year, the Boston Celtics narrowly missed making NBA history by overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs, falling short against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. Jaylen Brown struggled from 3-point range, and Jayson Tatum's ankle injury hampered their chances in a Game 7 defeat. However, this year, Boston finds itself in the opposite position, holding a 3-0 lead against the Dallas Mavericks, aiming for a record-setting 18th NBA title with a potential sweep on Friday.
Reflecting on last year's disappointment, Brown and Tatum acknowledged how it fueled their determination for success this season. Brown described last year's defeat as embarrassing and a driving force for improvement throughout the summer. The Celtics have responded to that disappointment with a dominant regular-season performance, boasting the league's best record and net rating.
With a potential win on Friday, Boston could finish this postseason with a remarkable 16-2 record, positioning themselves among the league's elite playoff performers. Brown and Tatum credited last year's frustrations for motivating the team's success this season, emphasizing the team's hunger and dedication to improvement.
Despite their commanding lead in the series, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the team's focus on protecting injured player Kristaps Porzingis and maintaining their approach to the game. Al Horford echoed the sentiment, stressing the team's commitment to taking each game seriously without getting ahead of themselves, as they aim to secure another victory and keep their focus solely on the task at hand.
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