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Boston Celtics: Why team is in prime position for deep playoff run

By Dan Orencole

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 29: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics smiles during a game against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden on March 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 29: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics smiles during a game against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden on March 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
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Despite shaky regular season, the Boston Celtics are where they were supposed to be.

Overreaction can’t be avoided in sports, nonetheless in major markets such as Boston, especially with the hype surrounding the Boston Celtics to begin the 2018-19 NBA season.

And when lofty expectations are put on a team those reactions become even more prevalent in times of struggle.

This year’s Celtics team embodies that notion.

With a 45-32 record and five games remaining in the regular season the Boston Celtics are currently the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

What matters is that the Celtics have already clinched a playoff berth. The record and seeding will be an afterthought if Boston reaches the NBA Finals.

Playoff results will determine whether or not the season is seen as a success. It was always going to come down to that since the first regular season game tipped back in October.

Is Boston still alive for a deep postseason run?

But the Boston fans and a vast majority of the media no longer believe that this team is capable of reaching the NBA Finals.

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That opinion could be validated but the only reasoning behind formulating it can be the success or lack thereof the team has had in the regular season.

While that opinion should be considered entering the postseason, the regular season holds less meaning in a sport featuring a seven-game playoff series. In the end the best team typically comes out on top and it’s hard to argue the Celtics aren’t the best team in the East when they’re playing up to their potential.

Inconsistent season can provide hope

Wins and losses on the Celtics resume highlight the inconsistencies that this team has struggled with but those should be viewed as a positive as the playoffs approach rather than the negative it is being made out to be.

Being capable of losing to any team in the league has been the downfall and a reason the Celtics playoff seeding is where it is. Boston has lost games to the worst teams in the league including the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, the two bottom feeders of the NBA.

While losing to the Knicks and Suns are undoubtedly seen as a negative, the Celtics have also shown their ability to contend with the best teams in the league.

Boston beat the Golden State Warriors by 32 points early in March, one of the most impressive wins any team has on its resume this year.

What to expect the rest of the way from Boston

If the BostonCeltics play up to their potential throughout the postseason they will be back in the Eastern Conference Finals with a good chance of advancing to the NBA Finals.

Next. What’s next for Boston Celtics if they fail in the playoffs. dark

Overreacting to individual games in the regular season when a team has secured a spot in the playoffs is part of the business but Boston’s season begins in the playoffs.

Anything less than an NBA Finals appearance has to be considered a disappointing season though and will open up discussion of the direction this team is going in after building a roster with this caliber of talent on the floor.

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