Boston Celtics: Why Top Seed is Important for Playoff Success

The Boston Celtics are percentage points behind the defending champions for the top spot in the east.

Now, Cleveland Cavaliers fans will tell you the seeding doesn’t matter. After all, they are the defending NBA Champions, they have LeBron and Kyrie. Yet…the top seed is important, especially for the Boston Celtics.

In the playoffs everything shifts.

The intensity level ratchets up to the highest all season. Players are more focused, and the games are more physical. So why is home court important? Let’s face it guys, at home shots fall easier, calls are usually in favor of the home team. Oh and let’s not forget, the fans can make it a nightmare for the visitors.

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Not every fanbase is the same of course. However, let’s stay with our boys in green. Fans in the Garden don’t make anything easy. They’re ruthless and unforgiving, and there’s no doubt in my mind that the Celtics feed off of that. I think Al Horford is going to be the Celtic most impacted by his environment come playoff time. What do I mean by that? I mean while he’s a steady veteran, that Garden crowd will energize him tenfold.

Cleveland will always be favored against anyone in the east. However, they are 22nd in defensive rating this season. Where are the Celtics? 12th. At home, that defense gets tighter. No they haven’t even won a playoff series under Brad Stevens, but if this team stays healthy and has home court?

I think they can really do some damage. Could they beat the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals? Pipe dream. Let’s see how far the C’s even get before entertaining that idea. The Celtics are still inconsistent at times, but that may also lessen in the playoffs when they know what their goal is.

Next: Top Spot Means Nothing Without Focus

It’s the NBA, which means anything is possible.

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