Celtics show no signs of slowing down in NBA’s Eastern hell
Boston maintains second place despite pressure from New York and Cleveland, while the Pistons remain firmly in the lead.
The Eastern Conference is no longer a punchline – at least not at the top. Until recently, the Detroit Pistons, who have led the standings since the start of the season, looked like the only truly serious outfit among the 15 teams. But over the past few weeks, the two presumed Eastern heavyweights – the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers – have stirred. That resurgence is making it increasingly difficult for the Boston Celtics to cling to the second spot they have so impressively claimed in a year when few expected them to sit among the NBA elite.
The Massachusetts franchise cruised past the Chicago Bulls 124-105 in a game that featured the principal figures in last week’s trade between the two organizations, completed just hours before the deadline. Nikola Vucevic, now in green, posted 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes and looked far sharper than Anfernee Simons, who managed seven points and shot 1-for-6 from three in a Bulls uniform. The Celtics led by as many as 35 before easing off late, with Payton Pritchard delivering 26 points and eight assists. Hugo González grabbed two rebounds but failed to score in nine minutes on the floor.
The victory was Boston’s seventh in its last 10 games. An impressive run, yet still not the best among the conference’s top four. That distinction belongs to Cleveland, which has dropped just once in its past 10 outings. The Cavaliers dismantled the Washington Wizards 138-113 in what marked James Harden’s home debut. The star guard has now played three games for his new team and appears to have a genuine shot at reaching a second NBA Finals, his first since 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The standout performer was Sam Merrill, who erupted for 32 points, shooting 9-for-10 from beyond the arc.
Another team surging, despite an overtime stumble at home against the Indiana Pacers the night before, is New York. The Knicks delivered a ruthless 138-89 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers, at one stage building a 52-point cushion. Their newest addition, José Alvarado, was sensational, pouring in 26 points and drilling eight threes in under 19 minutes. New York stands 8-2 over its last 10 and trails Boston by half a game.
Detroit has also won eight of its last 10 and remains firmly atop a conference that now appears far more competitive than it did a month ago. The Pistons beat the Toronto Raptors 113-95 on the road despite missing their two primary interior players, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, both serving suspensions following a scuffle with the Charlotte Hornets. Even shorthanded, Detroit dominated in the paint 50-34 and won the rebounding battle 46-35. Cade Cunningham led the way once again with 28 points, seven boards and nine assists, guiding a team that is on course for one of the finest seasons in its history.
Other Eastern Conference results: the Hornets edged the Atlanta Hawks 110-107; the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 116-108; the Pacers topped the Brooklyn Nets 115-110; and the Miami Heat beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-111.
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