Celtics Aim for Top Seed After Clinching Spot in 2023 NBA Playoffs: A Look at Boston’s Remaining Games

Celtics Aim for Top Seed After Clinching Spot in 2023 NBA Playoffs: A Look at Boston’s Remaining Games

Joel Reyes
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM
  • The Boston Celtics clinched the playoff berth in the Eastern Conference last Saturday
  • They have fallen to third place in the East with just ten games remaining on their schedule
  • They still have road games against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers

The Boston Celtics are going to the postseason.

They clinched a spot in the 2023 NBA Playoffs following the Miami Heat's loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.

However, it is not all excellent news for the Celtics, who have dropped to third place in the Eastern Conference standings following a poor run of form.

Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, NBA
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatumof the Boston Celtics in action against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 25, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Image: Mitchell Leff.
Source: Getty Images

Can they make a late surge and leapfrog the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks and the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers in the standings?

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ click on "Recommended for you" and enjoy!

Sports Brief looks at the Celtics’ remaining schedule.

Sacramento Kings (March 21, away)

The Celtics have faced Sacramento once this season, with Boston pulling off a 122-104 victory on November 25, 2022, per ESPN.

A lot has changed since that game, with the Kings establishing themselves as a playoff team this campaign. They are second in the Western Conference, reaching the 40-win mark for the first time since the 2005-06 season.

Indiana Pacers (March 24, home)

The Celtics have faced the Pacers twice this season, with the two teams splitting their meetings. Indiana won the first meeting 117-112 on December 21, 2022.

Boston exacted revenge on February 23, recording a thrilling 142-138 overtime victory against Indiana. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown starred in that win, scoring 31 and 30 points respectively.

San Antonio Spurs (March 26, home)

The Celtics have faced San Antonio once this season, with Boston recording a 121-116 win on January 7. The Celtics will fancy their chances in this contest as the Spurs own the second-worst record in the Western Conference.

Washington Wizards (March 28, away)

The Celtics have won their last four meetings with the Wizards, including twice this season.

They defeated Washington 112-94 in their first matchup this campaign on October 30, 2022. The Celtics then recorded a 130-121 win over the Wizards on November 27, 2022.

Milwaukee Bucks (March 30, away)

The Celtics will face their toughest test on March 30 when they travel to Milwaukee to face the Bucks. This matchup could have playoff implications, as the winner of this game will win the season series.

The Bucks and the Celtics split their first two meetings. In case Milwaukee and Boston have the same records at the end of the regular season, the winner of this contest would own the tie-breaker.

Utah Jazz (March 31, home)

The Celtics played the Jazz for the first time this season last March 18, with Boston suffering a gut-wrenching 118-117 loss. The Celtics squandered a 19-point lead in this game to fall to third place in the East.

Philadelphia 76ers (April 4, away)

Another critical matchup awaits the Celtics as they face the surging Sixers. The Sixers have won eight games in a row to move up to second in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics are 3-0 against the Sixers this season, however. Boston defeated Philadelphia 110-107 in their last meeting at Wells Fargo Center.

Toronto Raptors (April 5, home)

The Celtics will close the regular season with a three-game homestand. Their first game will come against the Raptors, who are ninth in the Eastern Conference.

They have won their first two meetings against Toronto this season.

Toronto Raptors (April 7, home)

The Celtics will meet the Raptors again two days later for another meeting at TD Garden.

Boston may be undefeated against Toronto this campaign but both of those wins have been close. The Celtics won by a combined eight points in those two games.

Atlanta Hawks (April 9, home)

The Celtics close their regular-season campaign with a home game against the Hawks. Boston is 2-0 against Atlanta this season.

The Celtics won their first meeting on November 16, 2022, by 25 points. They then recorded a 134-125 victory over the Hawks on March 11.

Rockets stun Celtics in upset

Sports Brief recently reported on the surprising Celtics’ loss to the Rockets.

Houston shocked Boston 111-109 to record one of its biggest wins of the season.

The Rockets entered the game with a 15-52 slate but managed to get it done.

Authors
Joel Reyes photo
Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.
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