Here are the takeaways as the Celtics – overcoming all expectations – held on to a big lead against the Suns to claim a 123-108 win in their final contest of 2021.
1. To some degree, everyone saw Friday’s win coming — a chance for the Celtics to rally against a real contender after falling flat against a team that barely resembled the Timberwolves and the Clippers minus their stars (Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and – at least against the Celtics – B.J. Boston). The Celtics aren’t your typical bad team but rather a confusing one.