NBA 2018-19: 5 Takeaways from week 9 

Portland Trail Blazers v Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers v Minnesota Timberwolves

#3 The Boston Celtics

Detroit Pistons v Boston Celtics
Detroit Pistons v Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were early season favorites to lead the Eastern Conference and be the pacesetter. These expectations were based on Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning to the line up after season-ending injuries last year. Their return has not helped Boston in the standings. They started 10-10. However, they are 8-1 in their last 9 games winning 8 straight including victories this week over the Hawks, Wizards and Pelicans.

They did lose Saturday Night 113-104 to the Detroit Pistons. 18-11 the Celtics now find themselves 5th in the Eastern Conference. They are four games behind the Raptors who lead in the Eastern Conference.

Saturday night, the Celtics were without center Al Horford who is out indefinitely with inflammation in his left knee. The Celtics got 26 points from Kyrie Irving and 21 points from Marcus Smart in a losing effort. The Celtics allowed six Pistons’ players to score in double digits led by Blake Griffin with 27.

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