Robert Williams points out two improvements made by the Celtics since their loss to Warriors in the NBA Finals

Time Lord highlights Celtics’ two key improvements since Finals loss Original version: NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — Thursday is technically one of 82. Take into account the CelticsIt will serve as an opponent, but it will also serve as a measure stick to see if they can get past the NBA Finals hump.

Since falling to the Celtics, the team has made great strides. Warriors In last year’s Finals with a record of 33-12, they entered Thursday’s rematch against Golden State at TD Garden with a league-best 33-12 record. Their on-court improvement is obvious, but big man Robert Williams Their mental health deserves to be mentioned.

Forsberg: C’s can’t change the past, but Finals pain still guiding them forward

“The biggest thing for me that I’ve seen (us) improve on is mental focus and accepting criticism,” Williams said Thursday at Boston’s pre-game shootaround. “Not crawling in a hole when stuff isn’t going our way, and trying our hardest to fight out of it together.”

These Warriors tested the mental toughness of the Celtics just over a year ago. routed Boston by 16 points in Golden State on Dec. 10. The C’s lost four of their next five matches, and were then confronted with their first serious adversity of this season.

Joe Mazzulla’s However, the club has demonstrated remarkable resolve over the past 13 contests, winning 11 and continuing a seven-game winning streak through Thursday night. Williams, who missed their December 1st meeting, believes Boston’s Finals loss and the post-Warriors skid has only strengthened the Celtics’ resolve.

Williams stated, “It taught everyone in the team that we can push ourselves beyond what we set for,” Williams said. “Just mentally, I feel that with all the injuries,… that was an excellent test for us to see just how far can we push ourselves.”

Boston’s latest test will be presented on Thursday. Despite Golden State’s inconsistent play (22-22 overall & 5-17 on road), the Warriors still beat the Celtics four times in a row. They are back at the building where the Boston crowd celebrated their 2022 championship.

If the Celtics can show that they are a better team, not only to the rest of NBA but also to themselves, it will go a long ways towards their 2023 Finals bid.

Williams stated, “Even if no one says so, I feel like everyone in this organization wanted people to know that (our 2022 finals run was not a fluke)”