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Sturdy Boston Celtics Gearing Up for a Long Playoff Run

By Jason Haskins

Mar 31, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens congratulates Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) after making a basket during the second half against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens congratulates Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) after making a basket during the second half against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Six games are left on the docket for the Boston Celtics as they hope to lock up the number one seed in the East.

The grind and march to the 2017 NBA postseason continues to heat up for the Boston Celtics. And judging by Friday’s narrow win over the Orlando Magic, living life at the top is going to be a battle.

The victory kept the Celtics 0.5 games up on the Cavs in the Eastern Conference for the first seed.

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Flying under the cover of teams like the Cavs, Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks in the East for the past few seasons, the Celtics were able to get by in these winnable games with little fanfare, win or lose.

Now, riding in the top spot, the spotlight is firmly entrenched on their backs.

Six chances are left for the Celtics to not only secure the top seed in the East, but to also hit the 50-win plateau for the first time since the 2010-11 season. That was at a time when Boston had just finished up a run of four consecutive seasons of 50 wins or more, of which included the franchise’s 17th NBA Championship.

Before that the Celtics hadn’t hit the 50-win mark since 1991.

Coach Brad Stevens has returned a winning tradition to the franchise, highlighted by GM Danny Ainge‘s assembling of a team that is focused on one thing: winning in the playoffs and ultimately bringing home banner number 18.

First, with a playoff spot secure, will be this group finally advancing out of the first round. Boston is already guaranteed  a first-round home series, as the worst they could possibly finish is with a fourth seed.

The Remaining Games

On paper, the Celtics should hold the edge over the Cavs to get the number one seed. A lot will be riding on that when the two teams meet up on April 5.

Of Boston’s five other games, three of those games will be against possible playoff teams (ATL, CHA, MIL). Three of Boston’s final six games will be on the road.

The Celtics are currently 28-10 at home this season, including a 12-2 mark since February 1.

The Cavs, meanwhile, have seven games remaining. All but a match up against the Orlando Magic will be with playoff contending teams. They have three road games and face the Hawks twice in that span.

Boston defeated Cleveland 103-99 on March 1 behind 31 points from Isaiah Thomas.

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Prepping for the playoffs, the Celtics can use these final six games to fine tune and maintain their focus. And if they keep playing at a high level the rest, as they say, will take care of itself.

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