The Boston Celtics all but locked into #3 seed in Eastern Conference

With yesterday’s win, the Boston Celtics are now all but locked into the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Catching the Toronto Raptors for the #2 seed in the east became a difficult endeavor for the Boston Celtics after Toronto started off the regular season seeding slate 3-0 with wins over the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Orlando Magic. While last night’s win was a big one for the C’s confidence going forward, it didn’t do much in the way of gaining ground on Toronto in the standings.

If anything, the more important focus for Boston was retaining the #3 seed. The Miami Heat started off the restart with key victories and made up a full game in the standings with a critical win over the Celtics this past Tuesday.

Boston’s response to an underwhelming 1-2 start to the season resumption has been consecutive victories over the Brooklyn Nets and the Raptors. Their last two victories should lock them into the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Their final three games are against the Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Washington Wizards.

Barring an epic meltdown, the C’s should be able to win one more game to clinch. Miami, meanwhile, will have to run the table against the surging Phoenix Suns, the #5 seeded Indiana Pacers and the #6 seed out west, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

On the flip side, being 3.5 games back of the #2 seed means the Raptors will have to lose the rest of their games and the C’s would have to run the table. That isn’t impossible, but with Kemba Walker likely to sit at least a game or two more before the playoffs, the C’s will likely shift their focus to seeing what role players can contribute for them during the postseason.

Boston plays Orlando tomorrow night at 5 pm from the Lake Buena Vista bubble in Walt Disney World.