Reason For Celtics Blowout Victories Revealed

The Boston Celtics extended their perfect 4-0 start for the first time since the 2009-10 season by delivering a resounding 155-104 victory against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden.

A Performance for the History Books

The Celtics etched their names in the history of the franchise with this dominant performance. Their 155 points on the scoreboard rank as the second-highest ever achieved by the team, marking only the 10th occasion in Celtics history when they crossed the 150-point threshold in a single game. Boston's commanding 51-point win also tied the franchise record for the third-highest margin of victory, making it just the fourth time the Celtics have won by a margin of 50 points or more.

In a display of exceptional team shooting, the Celtics boasted a remarkable 56.8% field goal percentage, hitting 54 of 95 attempts. Their three-point shooting was equally impressive, with a 57.1% success rate, converting 20 of 35 attempts. The free throw line saw near-perfection, with a remarkable 96.4% accuracy, making 27 of 28 free throws, while the team combined for 27 assists.



Leading the charge for the Celtics was Jayson Tatum, who poured in 30 points, and he was joined by eight other Celtics players who contributed double-digit scores. Every player in a Celtics uniform who took the court managed to put points on the board.

Here are three key takeaways from the Celtics' flawless start to the season, marked by their commanding 51-point victory over the Pacers.

1. Off to a Hot Start

In Monday night's win against the Washington Wizards, the Boston Celtics never trailed, and the Indiana Pacers found themselves in the lead for just a mere 34 seconds during Wednesday's game.

Similar to their performance on Tuesday, the Celtics started the game scorching hot. They began the game with a perfect 5-of-5 shooting, scoring on six of their first seven possessions, surging to an early eight-point advantage.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle called a timeout in an attempt to halt the Celtics' momentum, but Boston continued to press forward, extending their lead to double digits just 3 minutes and 10 seconds into the game.

Much like the Tuesday game in Washington, the early double-digit deficit, combined with Boston's remarkable talent and scorching shooting, proved insurmountable for Indiana. The Celtics concluded the first quarter with 44 points, shooting an impressive 76.2% from the field and 72.7% from beyond the arc, establishing a commanding 17-point lead as they entered the second quarter.

With 42 points in the first quarter against the Wizards on Monday and 44 points on Wednesday night, the Celtics achieved consecutive 40-point quarters for the first time since February of 1982.

In their last two first quarters, the Celtics have outscored their opponents 86-46, showcasing their dominance by shooting 69.3% from the field and 63.1% from three-point range.

2. The Trades Were Worth the Cost

The pre-game introduction of the Celtics' starting lineup continues to have an almost surreal or seemingly impossible quality.

Leading up to the season, there was widespread recognition that Boston had crafted one of the league's top-tier rosters through their off season acquisitions, which included securing Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. As of now, this exceptional talent has certainly met the high expectations.

Once again, Boston's starting five delivered an outstanding performance on Wednesday night, collectively amassing 92 points with an impressive shooting display shooting 57.1% from the field and 55% from beyond the arc. Each player reached double-digit scoring and recorded a plus-minus rating of +20 or higher, all while resting during the fourth quarter for the second consecutive game.


Jrue Holiday shared his thoughts about the team after the game.


Naturally, there was an expectation that the revamped Celtics would require some time to develop their chemistry. Nevertheless, after just four games, it's evident that the integration of the new-look Celtics is progressing seamlessly, thanks to their exceptional wealth of talent.

3. Even the Bench Players are Good

As of Wednesday night, the Celtics' bench had ranked last in points, amassing only 46 points in the first three games. When questioned before the game about the necessity of boosting bench scoring, Joe Mazzulla didn't seem overly concerned about the emerging concern.


Clearly, this turned out to be true, with Hauser concluding the game with 17 points, shooting at an impressive 83.3% from three, and Pritchard finishing the night with 15 points, boasting a 60% field goal shooting accuracy and a 66.7% success rate from beyond the arc. Additionally, the bench contributed 63 points, of which 46 were amassed in the fourth quarter, mirroring their performance in the three previous games.

What to Expect of the Boston Celtics

To be fair, the Indiana Pacers were without Tyrese Haliburton, undeniably one of the best young floor generals in the game. Nevertheless, if this scoring and scoring efficiency becomes a recurring pattern, the Boston Celtics could pose a significant challenge. The true test will come when the Celtics face the Brooklyn Nets this Saturday to see if they can maintain their impressive start.

You can view all the game's highlights in the video below:


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