Boston Celtics: A loss to Philly and destined for a 4th or 5th seed
Losing to the Philadelphia 76ers likely ended any shot the Boston Celtics had at the third seed in the East, but a fourth or fifth seed might be for the better.
Optimism, or even looking for silver linings, certainly has its place this season in relating to the playoff outlook for the Boston Celtics. It’s what they do when they get there that matters most.
It’s been hard — on some days, in this “trying” season — to keep faith in the Celtics and their quest for banner 18. Especially considering how rosy things looked back in October and the hopes of Boston achieving a number one seed.
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That’s all but been erased at this point. Now, Boston is seemingly locked into earning the fourth or fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Ten games remain on the docket, with the best Boston hoping to achieve is the third seed. (Yes, a chance at the second seed is still out there, but being eight games out of that spot doesn’t offer much hope.)
The 76ers hold a four-game lead over the Celtics, who currently sit in fifth. Holding court as the sixth seed are the Detroit Pistons, who Boston holds a 5.5 game lead over. Barring a complete meltdown or reeling off ten straight wins, a fourth or fifth seed seems likely for Boston.
It is the Indiana Pacers who are sitting in fourth, with a mere 0.5 game lead over Boston. Two meetings are left between the Celtics and Pacers. On the line is home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Indiana is 3-7 in their last ten games and 12-14 since Victor Oladipo went out with an injury on January 23. The Pacers have done fine in staying in positions three to five without their star, but Boston should be able to pass by them soon.
Boston Celtics vs East playoff teams
The Celtics finished 3-1 against Philadelphia during the regular season, but the loss should not be too disconcerting. Yes, they let a large lead slip away. Yes, Marcus Smart lost his cool in a big situation — he should keep the passion, just without the retribution — but the Celtics had other factors in the loss.
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They were already without Gordon Hayward and Aron Baynes. Throw in Smart’s ejection and the shorthanded Celtics just had too much to overcome.
Even with Kyrie Irving doing his best to carry this team on offense. Irving had 36 points and 9 rebounds in the loss. He has scored 30 or more in the last four games, averaging 31.7, to go along with an average of 8.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists.
Boston is 7-6 this season against the four teams above them in the East standings and 6-3 against those ranked below them. Along with the two games against the Pacers, the Celtics play once more against Brooklyn and twice against the Miami Heat.
Locking into the fourth or fifth position — and a series win in the first round — would likely mean a meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks currently have the top seed, but only hold that by two games over the Toronto Raptors. Boston is 1-2 against the Bucks, with one of the losses by one point, and 2-2 against Toronto.
A healthy and on the same page Boston Celtics should still be considered the favorites over a “limping-towards-the-finish-line” Bucks or a Raptors team still looking for a franchise signature playoff win.
Boston Celtics: 3 regular season goals for Kyrie Irving in 2018-19. dark. Next
Is it the easiest route to the Finals? No. But what’s a path without adversity. Boston has certainly had that this season, even if most of it is by their own making. Even the optimist in me realizes that.