Despite wins, Al Horford says Celtics ‘are not where we need to be yet’
Horford says the 45-12 Celtics are looking to take their game to the next level down the stretch.
The Celtics notched their season-best eighth straight victory Saturday night against the Knicks, giving them an eight-game lead over the second-place Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.
Even as Boston continues to pull away from its competitors, posting a league-best 45-12 record, center Al Horford believes the Celtics still have some work to do.
Following the 116-102 win at Madison Square Garden, Horford told reporters that coach Joe Mazzulla is raising the standard for excellence on the team.
“Joe is really challenging us to continue to get better. This is a stretch of the season where we can really take it to another level, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Horford said, per CLNS.
With a net rating of 10.3, it’s hard to imagine that the Celtics’ ceiling could be much higher.
“We’re not where we need to be yet,” Horford said. “And that’s a good thing. It’s such a long season. It’s hard to be what we can, but it’s encouraging that we’re continuing to win in different ways and win differently.”
The Celtics are two games removed from the All-Star Break, and staring down a stretch of seven-straight nationally televised games. Saturday’s game in New York marked the first as Boston gears up for primetime play through March 9.
The Celtics face off against the 76ers at TD Garden Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m.
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