Boston's Troubled Celtics Suffer Loss of Center Robert Williams III
The Boston Celtics are facing another setback as their star center and top defender, Robert Williams III, is expected to be out for at least a week due to a left hamstring injury. The team has been struggling recently, losing three games in a row, including two overtime games, during a terrible 5-5 stretch in their last 10 games.
The Celtics previously held the best record in the NBA for much of the season, but they're currently treading water with a poor 10-9 run in their last 19 games. Williams had been dealing with a sprained ankle, and the team is now keeping him on the sidelines in the hopes that his recent hamstring injury won't be an issue once the playoffs start in April.
The Celtics are determined to win the championship this year, following their appearance in the 2022 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. Fans across New England are hopeful that the Celtics will make it back to the NBA Finals this postseason and secure the franchise’s 18th NBA championship.
Another Injury for the Time Lord
Williams injured his hamstring during a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. The injury occurred when he attempted to block Cam Johnson's shot in the third quarter and landed awkwardly in the paint, clutching his left hamstring. He left the game and did not return.
On Monday, the Celtics reported that Williams had a strained left hamstring and that they would reassess his injury in 7 to 10 days.
Williams is a vital component of the Celtics' switch-heavy defense, but he's had a history of injuries over the past few seasons. During the 2021 NBA playoffs, he was hindered by a painful turf toe injury, and last March, he tore his meniscus in his left knee. He underwent surgery and returned for the playoffs but missed several games due to knee discomfort. In the last year's playoffs, he averaged 7.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game in 17 games played.
Williams had surgery to repair his left knee in the off-season, which delayed the start of his 2022-23 season. He made his season debut in mid-December and started to regain his form in February, almost averaging a double-double per game.
In 28 games this season, Williams has averaged 8.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting a career-high 75% from the floor.
The Celtics acquired center Mike Muscala from the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline. Muscala has played in eight games for the Celtics and started in the last two games while Williams is sidelined.
Celtics Slip to #2 Seed
The Milwaukee Bucks have been on a 16-game winning streak, taking the lead in the Eastern Conference, opening a two-game gap over the Celtics. The Celtics hold a two-game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in third place.
"We came back from the All-Star break, and everyone lost their rhythm on both ends of the floor," stated point guard Marcus Smart to The Athletic. "We're struggling and trying to get back. Each and everybody is, in their own unique way, just trying to help this team and, at the same time, getting into a rhythm. It's tough, bro."
Since the break, the Celtics are 3-4, with three overtime games. From a betting perspective, the Celtics have a 2-5 record against the spread since the break.
Championship teams typically shut the door when they have a late-game lead. However, the Celtics have been unable to close out games this season. The Celtics lead the NBA with 11 overtime games and have a 4-7 record in games that ended tied in regulation, demonstrating their inability to secure victories.
The Celtics have had a number of close games this season, with a 4-5 record in games decided by three or fewer points. They have a 24-7 record against losing teams this season and boast the best record in the NBA versus teams below .500. However, they struggle against winning teams, with a 21-14 record against teams above .500.
Betting on the Celtics in the Remaining 16 Games
Now is a good time to make a futures bet on the Celtics if you're interested, as backers have paid a high premium in futures prices throughout the season.
The Celtics still have the top spot in terms of odds to win the 2022-23 NBA championship, but the Phoenix Suns are closing the gap. DraftKings has the Celtics at +310 odds to win the title, while the Suns aren't far behind at +330 odds, and the Bucks are at +475 odds.
The Celtics offer +135 odds to win the Eastern Conference in consecutive seasons and make it back to the NBA Finals. The Bucks have +190 odds to win the conference.
The Celtics' lead in the Atlantic Division has been reduced to two games over the 76ers, yet they still have a big favorite's tag to win the division, at -2000 odds. The 76ers provide solid value at +750 odds to steal the Atlantic Division championship from the Celtics.
In a recent update from FiveThirtyEight, the Celtics have a 27% chance to reach the NBA Finals, and a 15% chance to win the championship. The Celtics have the third-highest projection behind the Denver Nuggets (22%) and Milwaukee Bucks (20%).
Towards the end of January, hitting the halfway point of the season, the Celtics boasted an impressive 35-12 record, making them the NBA's frontrunners. At this peak, statistical analysis site, FiveThirtyEight, predicted a 26% likelihood of them clinching the championship. Since then, their performance hasn't been as spectacular, standing at 10-9 wins.
As they face the final 16 matches of the regular season, the Celtics are given the eight-riendliest schedule in the league. Their opponents average a winning percentage of just 0.483, a fact that could work in the Celtics' favor, considering they've excelled against teams below the .500 mark this season.
Upcoming matches include a home game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Boston, followed by a six-game road trip starting the weekend.
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