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Boston Celtics Get to Rest Up for Final Playoff Push

By Joshua Bateman

Mar 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and center Tyler Zeller (44) help up guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and center Tyler Zeller (44) help up guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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The final phase of the NBA regular season is upon us. The Boston Celtics appear to have a playoff spot secured and have a great opportunity to have home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. If the Celtics can close out this season the way they did last year then they can be one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs. The Celtics avoided a skin infection scare with Jared Sullinger but are still waiting for Kelly Olynyk to return to the lineup.

Once Olynyk returns the Celtics will be the healthiest they have been all season long and their rotation will be in the best position it has been in during the Brad Stevens era. The scheduling gods gave the Celtics one of the more difficult schedules to close out the season but they were blessed with this upcoming stretch. Following the Memphis game, the Celtics are left with just one opponent before March 15th. The Celtics have a five day period where they will be playing just one game.

Once the Celtics end that stretch they should have Olynyk back in the lineup and they will be the most rested and healthy they have been all season long. The Celtics earn their success with energy and hustle and there is no telling how valuable a stretch like this can be to the Celtics. They will be in an ideal position, not only to secure their playoff spot, but also to be at their very best going into the playoffs.

Jan 27, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) react after a basket by Olynyk and being fouled by the Denver Nuggets in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated Denver 111-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) react after a basket by Olynyk and being fouled by the Denver Nuggets in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated Denver 111-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

The Celtics have been a streaky team this year and while they have seen much more success than failure, there have been stretches where they disappear. The Celtics’ down games can get really ugly but they are set up to be riding into the playoffs with all kinds of momentum.

The extra rest over this current stretch will leave the Celtics more energized than they have been all season long. They will have 16 more games to get into the playoffs in the best position possible. The Celtics should be able to begin the final 16 games on a strong note. That extra rest could go a long ways and they will be in a great position to come out of the gate on fire.

The Celtics can then use a strong start to close out this season like they did last year. The Celtics know that they are capable of winning every game on any given night and if that mentality is tied in with their extra rest they have a great opportunity to get through one of their biggest and toughest three game stretches. Those final 16 games begins with match ups against the Pacers, the Thunder and the Raptors.

Having success during those three games (two of which are back to back) becomes a lot more likely with a Celtics team that is healthy and rested. A successful three game stretch will give the Celtics the momentum they need to protect their first round home court advantage. If the Celtics elevate their play for that final stretch then they will also be expected to do some damage in the playoffs.

The Celtics are a much different team than the one that got swept by the Cavaliers last year but if they revert to one of their down stretches entering the playoffs then they might end up with a similarly disappointing result. The Celtics need to make sure that they take advantage of the extra rest and the health that will hopefully hold up.

Next: Does Marcus Smart Need to Calm Down

The Celtics have recreated their expectations this season but they are on the brink of the most important stretch of the season. As it stands now, there is no reason to doubt Stevens’ ability to take advantage of the extra rest and make sure that the version of the Celtics that is seen over the final 16 games and then into the playoffs, is the best version we have seen this year.

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