The Boston Celtics have secured the NBA's best record with six games remaining in the regular season after a dominant 135-100 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. This victory guarantees them home-court advantage throughout the postseason, including the NBA Finals, due to their impressive 33-3 record at home this season.
With the top seed locked in, the Celtics find themselves in a unique position of playing games with no actual stakes. Head coach faces the challenge of keeping the team focused during this period to ensure they are ready when the playoffs arrive.
One primary goal for the team during these remaining games will be to avoid injuries, leading to potential resting of key players like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. This period also allows Coach to experiment with playoff rotations and prepare for various postseason scenarios.
While the games may lack significance in terms of standings, they provide an opportunity for role players like Payton Pritchard, Xavier Tillman, and Sam Hauser to showcase their abilities and earn valuable playing time.
Despite the lack of stakes, the Celtics must balance resting key players and maintaining focus to avoid any potential injuries that could impact their playoff run. The team's performance in close games has been a concern, with a 5-7 record in games decided by three points or less, highlighting the need to improve their clutch-time execution.
As the Celtics gear up for the postseason, questions remain about their ability to perform under pressure and whether they can overcome their struggles in tight contests. The upcoming games will serve as a testing ground for the team's readiness and ability to address their weaknesses before the playoffs commence.
