Malcolm Brogdon on playoff image: ‘we wish the #1 seed’

Even with Jayson Tatum watching from the sidelines, the Celtics crushed the Spurs in a 44-point blowout and prolonged their win streak to a few video games. Tatum might have most likely performed with a hip pointer, however that shouldn’t be consultant of how vital Boston sees their closing dozen video games of the common season. At 53-21, they’ve surpassed their win complete from final season and nonetheless within the hunt for extra.

I feel we’re getting increasingly more locked in. I feel it’s obvious. When Milwaukee took the #1 seed from us after the break, it was kind of a shock to us that we had dropped as a result of we had created some separation between us and them,” Malcolm Brogdon mentioned after ending with 20 factors and 9 assists in opposition to San Antonio.

“That’s one thing we wish. We would like the #1 seed. This staff understands the significance of getting residence courtroom benefit within the playoffs in order that’s one thing we’re going after.”

The Celtics are at present a sport and a half behind the Bucks and up two and a half video games on the 76ers (with the tiebreaker already of their pocket after profitable their first three conferences).

In accordance with Tankathon, Philadelphia and Boston have the hardest and fifth hardest remaining common season schedules respectively with a lot of that issue weighted by their head-to-head matchups heading into the ultimate two weeks. For what it’s price, Milwaukee ranks 14th in SOS.

All eyes will probably be on Milwaukee’s two-game homestand this week. After they wrap up their four-game highway journey, the Bucks will probably be on the again finish of a back-to-back once they host the Celtics on Thursday, however then have a three-day relaxation earlier than the 76ers on Sunday. These two video games will go a great distance in figuring out the highest of the East and who might see one another within the second spherical.

And for those who’re trying on the play-in match and potential first spherical matchups, there’s simply as a lot intrigue there as there’s on the high of the convention standings. With the Nets’ freefall since buying and selling away Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, they’ve misplaced six of their final seven video games and sit sixth at 40-35. The Warmth haven’t taken benefit of Brooklyn’s shortcomings and are simply .500 (8-8) for the reason that All-Star break with an an identical document. Per the Celtics’ play-by-play announcer Sean Grande, listed here are the percentages for Boston’s first spherical opponent:

The Celtics have repeatedly mentioned that seeding doesn’t matter. “Clearly, seeding is vital,” Jaylen Brown mentioned. “However the way you’re taking part in is extra vital. I used to be extra targeted on how we have been taking part in than what our seed was. I believed that although we have been the perfect staff within the league for a big majority of this season, it was stretches on this season the place we have been profitable video games as a result of we have been higher than groups, however we weren’t taking part in the best way we have been able to.”

They know the way vital residence courtroom benefit and perhaps extra so, matchups matter within the playoffs. They gained two Recreation 7s — one at residence in opposition to the Bucks and the Jap Convention Finals at Miami-Dade Enviornment — final 12 months and have been the perfect highway staff within the league this 12 months (24-14). However the #1 seed within the East (and residential courtroom benefit all through the playoffs together with The Finals) might imply not having to face each the Bucks and the 76ers this summer season. They’ve constantly been two of the perfect groups and regarded official contenders all 12 months.

The play-in match begins on April eleventh and playoff video games gained’t begin till 4 days later, however postseason depth is already right here.