Spurs, Celtics look like title contenders. Should they be active at NBA trade deadline? - The Athletic

The San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics, despite their combined 23 NBA titles and 29 Finals appearances, have never met in the championship series. This season, however, both have emerged as clear contenders, making a potential Finals matchup a realistic question. This is a surprising development given preseason expectations: the Celtics were recovering from Jayson Tatum's playoff injury and shedding salary, while the Spurs, coming off a 34-win season, seemed at least a year away from contention. Preseason win projections were set at 44.5 for the Spurs and 41.5 for the Celtics.

At the season's halfway mark, both teams have far exceeded those projections. The Spurs hold the Western Conference's second-best record (30-13 entering Tuesday), own the third-best scoring margin, and have three wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Celtics possess the Eastern Conference's second-best record and its best point differential. Their elite status was showcased in recent dominant victories: the Spurs' demolition of Milwaukee, where they led by 39 after three quarters, and the Celtics' 132-106 rout of Atlanta, where they led by 40 in the third.

The analysis then explores how each team reached this point and what it means for the upcoming trade deadline. For the Spurs, while Victor Wembanyama's brilliance is a major factor, their success is also notable for how they have performed without him. The team is 10-4 in the 14 games he has missed and maintains a nearly even net rating when he is off the court, demonstrating a strong supporting cast and system.