I refer, you might have guessed, to "what-if" articles about upcoming playoff scenarios.
Boston will benefit from having home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs, including a potential showdown with the Cavaliers, should both teams be fortunate enough to make it that far. On the surface, this first-round matchup with the Bulls poses a recipe for disaster since you have the fourth-best offensive rebounding team (Chicago) facing off with the fourth-worst defensive rebounding team (Boston).
Ultimately all eyes were looking beyond this game, and the Celtics weren't going to drop to Bucks reserves and fail to clinch the No.1 seed. The unsurprising result of this was that key players Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Tony Snell, and Matthew Dellavedova would be resting during the final game of the regular season.
"For three quarters, it was a ballgame".
"How fast it's come says a lot about the direction this organization is going in, and the work we put in as players and coaches". The Celtics will certainly have their hands full guarding Butler, who averaged 23.9 points a game during the regular season. "I've never been a number one seed", said Thomas, who was picked last in the 2011 National Basketball Association entry draft but finished third in the National Basketball Association in scoring with 28.9 points per game behind Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
"I think there's a pride in being consistent, and I told the guys that", said head coach Brad Stevens. I could go on about how it's impossible for the four-time MVP, three-time NBA Champion to lose to IN, but we already know it's not going to happen. "But that wasn't the deciding factor in any moves".
The Celtics trailed by 11 after one and by as many as 13 in the second quarter before Isaiah Thomas (13 points, 8 assists) scored 10 points in a two-minute stretch to end the first half with the Celtics up 57-56.
"I watch TV, so I see all the B.S. that they talk, and they're counting us out already", Celtics All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas said.
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The Bucks led 88-87 with eight minutes left before Green and Avery Bradley had back-to-back dunks, then Kelly Olynyk made a 3-pointer.
Magic 113, Pistons 109: Aaron Gordon had 32 points and 12 rebounds, Elfrid Payton scored 21 points and the Magic overcame a late-run by Detroit to win their season-finale.
Nicolas Brussino and Devin Harris scored 15 points apiece for Dallas in the victory. Afterward, he said he was "100 percent". "I'm sure if you looked at us before the season you wouldn't have said we'd be the 1 seed going into the Playoffs". "I was able to get my rhythm back tonight". "I'm just excited to be on the good side".
While that may be true, shutting down Thomas, or at least limiting him, will give the Bulls a solid chance at pulling off the first round upset. The NBA didn't start keeping track of blocks or steals until the 1973-74 season.
Rockets 123, Timberwolves 118: James Harden had his 22nd triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as Houston wrapped up the regular season with a victory over Minnesota.
The Celtics enter the Playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the East, yet there are still many doubters who believe they aren't deserving of their ranking. For most of the season, there was one team ahead of the Celtics, and it was LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Totals 37-84 14-17 94. Totals 41-91 18-26 112.
Game one takes place in TD Garden in Boston at 6:30 PM ET. Fouled Out-None. Rebounds-Milwaukee 43 (Payton 7), Boston 46 (Horford, Green 6). Assists - M 26 (Payton 5), B 31 (Smart, Thomas 8).
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