by Rob Zintl
The Celtics keep climbing higher above the rest of the league.
They sit four games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves for the best record in the NBA, and seven games clear of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs (it’s effectively eight, as the C’s have already won the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Cavs).
With this in mind, as they come out of the All-Star break it’s important to realize that the Celtics will have different goals and standards than other teams over the final seven weeks of the season. Although it is undoubtedly important to continue building good winning habits, Boston has little to gain by trying to squeeze out every possible win from their remaining schedule.
With 26 games left on the schedule, the Celtics are on pace for 64 wins. I think it’s fair to expect them to take their foot off the gas to a certain extent, and perhaps drop a game or two while resting their starters down the stretch after the top seed has been wrapped up. I’m guessing they wind up with 61-63 wins.
GOALS
Top overall seed: with a four game lead, the C’s should be able to secure home court advantage throughout the playoffs with time to spare. If this is the season that this group hopes to finally break through and win a title, securing the top seed early and getting some rest during the final week of the regular season would go a long way.
Keep Defending Your Home Floor: the Celtics have played exceptionally well at home thus far, boasting a 26-3 record this year at TD Garden. Fans of the team are certainly hoping to see them improve their playoff performance on their home floor, particularly deeper into the playoffs. The Celtics have won a road game in every single playoff series they’ve played over the past two years–but they’ve doomed themselves with poor play on the parquet, including two home losses during the 2022 Finals, and THREE in last year’s ECF. Boston needs to prove they can consistently win at home, and that will start with continuing to dominate at TD Garden over this final stretch of the regular season.
Stay Healthy: this is the most important factor. Boston will need all of their top six guys to make a run at a championship, and losing a key player at this point in such a promising season would be devastating. Kristaps Porzingis in particular should be kept in bubble wrap whenever possible.
Smaller Notes
Tillman Time: Xavier Tillman made his debut against the Bulls last night in Chicago, but only made a short appearance during garbage time, registering 2 points and a block. The Celtics biggest trade deadline acquisition will hopefully be able to slot into the rotation as a third big man with defensive versatility. Tillman ranks in the 99th percentile in D-EPM, and can hold his own on switches against guards and wings much better than Luke Kornet–however, Kornet has worked hard to earn his rotation spot and is not likely to give it up without a fight.
Hauser’s Audition: for the first time in the Tatum & Brown era, this year’s Celtics squad feels like a proper favorite to win the title. Playoff minutes will not be handed out lightly. These final two months of the regular season are the final audition for Sam Hauser to earn those extra scraps of minutes on the wing, and keep Oshae Brissett glued to the bench. If he can continue to hit shots and hold his own defensively, it’s a good sign.
Conclusion
Health, health, health. Everything else is small potatoes. As long as nobody gets hurt, C’s fans should take these next few weeks as a time to sit back, enjoy life, and buckle up for a run at the title.
West Coast Hoops 