Celtics Playoff Picture: C’s Likely to Get Cavs in Round 1

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Patrick Sargent, GoLocal Worcester Contributor

With the Brooklyn Nets getting pummeled by the Chicago Bulls last night, the Boston Celtics officially clinched their first playoff berth under the helm of head coach Brad Stevens.

With two games left, the Celtics currently sit in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics will likely open the playoffs on the road against the highly talented Cleveland Cavaliers and Lebron James.

The Celtics hold the tie-breaker against the Nets and Indiana Pacers. To get the #7 seed, the Celtics need to win one game or have the Pacers lose one game.

Let’s remain positive (because the negativity in Boston sucks - Rick Pitino) and take a look at the matchup between the Celts and Cavs:

#7 Celtics vs. #2 Cavaliers -

The Celtics beat the Cavs twice in a home and home stand this past weekend, including a lopsided win (117-78) in Boston in which the Celtics notched 20 steals. However, Cavs head coach David Blatt rested Kyrie Irving during the Celtics’ 99-90 win on Friday and sat James on Sunday during the Celtics blowout.

On the season, the Celtics and Cavs are squared a two wins apiece. Prior to this weekend, the Cavs destroyed the Celtics in early March by 31 points and narrowly defeated the C’s by one point in November.

Needless to say, a more favorable matchup would have been against the Atlanta Hawks.

Game 1 will be either Saturday 4/18 or Sunday 4/19. Be sure to check out GoLocal's in-depth preview of the series later this week.

Tip-off for tonight’s game against Toronto is 7:30 PM. The Raptors have already secured the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Related Slideshow: 10 Reasons Why We Need the Bruins and Celtics to Make the Playoffs

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#10

Because We Already Miss Darrelle Revis.

What better way to get over the loss of Revis than to have two of our major sports teams make the playoffs?

Keeping your mind off Revis is the best thing for you right now...it's the best thing for us.

But if you see Darrelle, tell him we said "hi."

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#9

It's Been 15 Years, Folks.

Although the Red Sox look great on paper, and the Patriots are a constant shoe-in with Tom Brady at the helm, we no longer want to live like how we did in 2000. Let's stop living in the past.

The year 2000 was the last time all four major teams in Massachusetts didn't make the playoffs. And we aren't willing to take that chance ever again.

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#8

Still on a Super Bowl High.

You can't knock us down. Not off this cloud. This is elation at its finest.

Let's keep it going B's and C's. A couple playoff runs could keep this high going into the summer.

And that's what being a Boston sports fan is all about.

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#7

Wake Me Up When September Starts.

If the Bruins and Celtics don't make the playoffs, then we have a long wait from now until the Patriots season begins, and when the Red Sox season really matters.

The Red Sox' offense should be prolific enough to keep us entertained this summer, but the entire season? Doubtful.

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#6

Snowmageddon Will Still Exist in April.

Look outside. What you see there will still be there weeks from now.

Thankfully, the NBA and NHL playoffs are an eternity long. By the time they're over, the snow SHOULD be gone.

The question has to be though: Who will be out first? The Celtics, the Bruins, or the snow?

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#5

Let's Support the Sports Bar Economy

Let's face it. Sports bars have it easy. Unless it's February or early March.

Thankfully, NCAA March Madness is around the corner, followed by Red Sox Opening Day, and the Masters.

But it would be considerate of the Celtics and Bruins to keep playing as long as they can. Bartenders have bills too.

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#4

Boston's #8 Seeds Defeating #1 Seeds.

Picture it. Life couldn't get much better than that. It happens quite frequently in the NHL, but it's an anomaly in the NBA.

If the Celtics and Bruins make the playoffs as #8 seeds, AND defeat the #1 seeds in their division...AND both won it in TD Garden....

Is it hot in here or is it just us?

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#3

Vote of Confidence for Brad Stevens

If Celtics head coach Brad Stevens earns his first playoff bid, and wins a series with this team, the Celtics would have to seriously consider locking him up for several more years.

He would go down as the greatest Celtics coach since...Doc Rivers.