At this point, the Celtics seem destined for are currently sitting at the 3 seed, which results in an opening round matchup against Sixers or Pacers. However, looking at the schedule to gauge the possibility of their being able to make up the requisite 2 games in the standings:
Toronto: 21 games remaining (9 home, 12 away).
Games against winning opponents: 9; 4 home (Boston, Denver, Lakers, Bucks), 5 away (Utah, Philly, Bucks, Houston, Miami)
Others of note: home and home against Memphis.
Comments: The Lakers, Bucks, and Heat could be doing varying amount of load management during those 4 games. Will want to actually root for Philly for a couple of reasons on the day after St. Paddy's Day.
Boston: 22 games (11 home, 11 away).
Games against winning opponents: 9; 5 home (Utah, OKC, Heat, Bucks, Pacers), 4 away (Pacers, Bucks, Raptors, Heat)
Others of note: roadie against Memphis; home against Blazers
Comments: The home game against the Bucks could be a load management game for Milwaukee. The ending stretch could be tough, as they have 6 games in a row against the Magic, Pacers, Heat, and Bucks, and the first 3 teams could all be jostling for position.
Celtics tiebreakers against Raptors:
- Head-to-head: 2-1, with one huge one remaining in Toronto.
- Division winner: If they have the same record, then obviously go to the next one
- Divisional record: Toronto (8-4, with 4 remaining) has a nice cushion over Boston (7-6 with 3 remaining). That Nets loss hurts real bad here.
- Conference record: Toronto (30-10 with 12 remaining) has a lead over Boston (25-10 w/ 17 remaining), but too many remain to predict.
I don't believe it will get past this point, so not bothering with the records against playoff opponents.
EDIT: Thanks for the correction @mcpickl . I corrected the remaining games, which does make me feel better given that the Raptors will be on the road a bit more over the stretch.
Toronto: 21 games remaining (9 home, 12 away).
Games against winning opponents: 9; 4 home (Boston, Denver, Lakers, Bucks), 5 away (Utah, Philly, Bucks, Houston, Miami)
Others of note: home and home against Memphis.
Comments: The Lakers, Bucks, and Heat could be doing varying amount of load management during those 4 games. Will want to actually root for Philly for a couple of reasons on the day after St. Paddy's Day.
Boston: 22 games (11 home, 11 away).
Games against winning opponents: 9; 5 home (Utah, OKC, Heat, Bucks, Pacers), 4 away (Pacers, Bucks, Raptors, Heat)
Others of note: roadie against Memphis; home against Blazers
Comments: The home game against the Bucks could be a load management game for Milwaukee. The ending stretch could be tough, as they have 6 games in a row against the Magic, Pacers, Heat, and Bucks, and the first 3 teams could all be jostling for position.
Celtics tiebreakers against Raptors:
- Head-to-head: 2-1, with one huge one remaining in Toronto.
- Division winner: If they have the same record, then obviously go to the next one
- Divisional record: Toronto (8-4, with 4 remaining) has a nice cushion over Boston (7-6 with 3 remaining). That Nets loss hurts real bad here.
- Conference record: Toronto (30-10 with 12 remaining) has a lead over Boston (25-10 w/ 17 remaining), but too many remain to predict.
I don't believe it will get past this point, so not bothering with the records against playoff opponents.
EDIT: Thanks for the correction @mcpickl . I corrected the remaining games, which does make me feel better given that the Raptors will be on the road a bit more over the stretch.
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