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Is the 1st-Seed Really What the Celtics Want?

By Jordan Van Beek

Dec 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) reacts with guard Terry Rozier (12) and forward Jae Crowder (99) against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 117-87. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) reacts with guard Terry Rozier (12) and forward Jae Crowder (99) against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 117-87. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) battle for a loose ball during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) battle for a loose ball during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Celtics Drop to the 3rd-Seed

The only difference between 2nd and 3rd seeds is homecourt advantage. Other than that, the matchups would be similar, instead, Boston would just play Indiana while Washington would play Milwaukee. The Wizards and Celtics would still most likely meet up in the next round, just with Washington getting homecourt over Boston.

There’s nothing Thomas and the Celtics aren’t up for. It would probably be in their best interest to stay at the 2-seed and be able to have potentially 2 fairly easy opponents. If the Celtics grabbed the top seed, they would immediately get tested by the Heat, have a very brutal matchup against Toronto, and then after all that, they would take on the Cavs. I agree with you, having the 1st-seed over the Cavaliers would be pretty outstanding, but the route to the NBA Finals would be so much tougher. While as the 2nd-seed could have plenty of rest after each series if they can take care of business.

Boston has a fairly decent chance at becoming the top team in the East if you look at how many home games they have left:

A healthy Celtics team can realistically hang with anyone in the league and at least give them a run for their money in a 7-game series. With Al Horford playing dominantly in the post offensively these past few games and Amir Johnson playing some pretty solid defense in the post, the Celtics are coming together at the perfect time to get hot for the NBA Playoffs.

Whatever seed the Celtics end up with, they have what it takes to compete and possibly beat any team that matches up against them.

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