Here's Why The Boston Celtics Are The Best Team In The NBA Right Now

Boston Celtics v Atlanta Hawks — ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 16: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics draws a foul as he attempts a shot against Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena on November 16, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The first place Boston Celtics, Eastern Conference champions last season, have seamlessly entered the 2022-2023 season on fire!

The Celtics coast to their eighth consecutive win, with a 126-101 victory on the road over the Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday night. Boston, 12-3, will try to make it nine consecutive victories when they face the Pelicans on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

Here are 3 reasons why the Celtics are the best in the NBA.

Unstoppable two-man game

The duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the first pair of teammates this season to score 300 points each.

Tatum is averaging over 31 points per game, along with Brown's 25 points per game, career highs for both. The tandem is also shooting a career best from the free throw line.

Both Celtics stars had an off night, in Wednesday night's win. Look for a bounce back performance from both in the Big Easy Friday.

tatum brown is unquestionably the best duo in the NBA lolz https://t.co/lGFyztITEb
— tadanO (@weraaaaaa_) November 14, 2022

Jayson Tatum is right in the middle of the MVP conversation, and his coach wouldn't have it any other way. https://t.co/2MXkiO2VEz
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 14, 2022

Exceptional coaching

Suspended Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is not on the bench and interim head coach Joe Mazzulla has managed to keep off-court drama where it belongs, off of the court. As such, the Celtics have managed to keep it together. Many of Udoka's assistants are still on the current staff, and leading the NBA’s best offense as things continue to trend in the right direction.

Woj: "Everything is aligned and in place for Joe Mazzulla to be the long-term coach for the Boston Celtics"#BleedGreen pic.twitter.com/c1HIN6EXa5
— ??????' ??? (@_Talkin_NBA) November 16, 2022

Crazy how the best 2 coaches in the NBA

Were Boston Celtics assistant coaches pic.twitter.com/jKOpclmqKH
— ‏َ (@BolWrld) November 13, 2022

A deep bench

The Celtics bench has stepped up when their number was called so far this season. The bench contributed 44 points in Wednesday night's win. Both Tatum and Brown scored under their season average, and it was Boston's bench that covered the holes the duo had. Grant Williams (18 points) Payton Pritchard (14 points) and Sam Hauser (15 points), came off the bench and scored a combined 13 three-pointers, only missing 6 shots from long range against the Hawks.

The team is missing star defensive player Robert Williams III, who underwent knee surgery in September, plus guards Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart due to injury. Filling in for Smart, guard Derrick White stepped up, scoring 16 points and dishing 10 assists.

Celtics without 3 of their top 6 players put 7 guys in double figures, lead by as much as 31, and win 126-101 in Atlanta.

Eight straight wins.
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) November 17, 2022

With starters struggling and others out due to injuries, the @celtics secondary players blitzed the @ATLHawks with a barrage of 3-pointers in a 126-101 win. https://t.co/Jb0gblIkOU
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) November 17, 2022