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When it comes to home court advantage, the Boston Celtics control their destiny

By Travis Babcock

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 11: The Boston Celtics stand during the national anthem prior to their game agains the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 11: The Boston Celtics stand during the national anthem prior to their game agains the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /
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The road to home court advantage through the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs got a whole lot easier thanks to the team’s big win on the road Wednesday night.

The Boston Celtics managed to polish off the Miami Heat not once but twice in a span of three days, setting themselves up for a clear route to home court advantage in round one of the playoffs.

Their opponent is all but set. Barring an epic collapse from the Philadelphia 76ers, the Indiana Pacers will take on the challenge of facing the Boston Celtics in a best of five series immediately ensuing the end of the regular season.

At this point the only unknown factor is simply where game one will take place.

Here’s the schedule breakdown for the two teams as we wind down the regular season.

Boston Celtics:

@Indiana Pacers

Vs Orlando Magic

@Washington Wizards

Indiana Pacers:

Vs Boston Celtics

Vs Brooklyn Nets

@Atlanta Hawks

Based on the looks of the schedule, it’s likely that home court advantage will be determined Friday night in Indiana. The two will face off head to head in what will be the fourth meeting of the season. Boston currently has the upper hand with a 2-1 record in the series. If Indiana pulls off the victory, it will tie the season series at two games apiece, sending the determining factor to conference record.

The Celtics currently have the upper hand here with a 33-16 record against teams in the East compared to Indiana’s 32-17 score. That being said, given the rest of the matchups to round out the season that minor discrepancy doesn’t really matter. Both groups follow-up their head to head showdown with two games against Eastern Conference foes.

Boston takes on Orlando, who just leapfrogged Miami for the eighth and final playoff spot. They hold a half game lead over the Heat with three games to go, so it’s safe to say the Magic will be playing for their playoff lives when they travel to Boston on April 7th. The Celtics round out the regular season with a trip to Washington for a matchup with the 11th seeded Wizards. Depending on the outcome of the previous two games, this one could be for all of the marbles or completely meaningless.

Indiana will face the Brooklyn Nets two days after their showdown with Boston in what will also be a very important game for both squads. The Nets own the 7th seed in the East by means of a Conference record tie breaker with Orlando. They too will be doing all they can to fend off Miami during the final week of the regular season. Following that matchup the team heads to Atlanta to face a Hawks team that is a far cry from playoff contention. That game could also determine home court advantage or mean absolutely nothing.

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It’s safe to say that Friday night’s battle means everything to these two teams vying for home court advantage. If Boston wins, they all but wrap up the fourth seed. If Indiana wins they put all of the pressure on Boston to win out and hope for a last-minute collapse from the Pacers. Buckle up Celtics fans, it’s going to be a wild ride!

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