From Nov. 14 to Feb. 26, the Celtics held the highest seed within the Eastern Conference for all however simply 5 days. But after their loss to the Knicks on Feb. 27, and matched with the Bucks’ 16-game successful streak, misplaced its grip on the No. 1 spot and a slide that included 4 losses in 5 video games put them even additional behind.
The Celtics instantly discovered themselves three video games behind the Bucks on March 14 and even briefly slid to 3rd behind the 76ers.
According to Malcolm Brogdon, it was a wake-up name.
Some Celtics have dismissed the significance of getting the No. 1 seed. But they give the impression of being targeted getting into the ultimate stretch. Boston earned a powerful win at Sacramento to complete its street journey final week and carried that momentum again residence, the place they strung collectively dominant victories over the Pacers and Spurs.
Brogdon thinks they’re carrying some further motivation after dropping maintain of the No. 1 seed – and it’s their purpose to get it again.
“I think we’re getting more and more locked in,” Brogdon mentioned. “I feel it’s obvious when Milwaukee took the No. 1 seed from us after the break, it was type of a shock to us that we had dropped as a result of we had created some separation between us and them. That’s one thing we would like, we would like the No. 1 seed. I feel this group understands the significance of getting homecourt benefit within the playoffs in order that’s one thing we’re going after.
The Celtics (52-23) awoke on Monday 1.5 video games again of the Bucks (53-21) with seven video games to play, whereas Milwaukee has eight. After splitting the primary two video games of the season collection, the Celtics and Bucks will play Thursday night time in Milwaukee for his or her third and remaining assembly of the common season. The winner will maintain the tiebreaker if it’s wanted.
Jaylen Brown thinks the Celtics have refocused a bit after going via durations within the season after they weren’t taking part in their greatest even in victories.
“Obviously seeding is important, but how you’re playing is more important,” Brown mentioned. “I was more focused on how we were playing than what our seed was. I thought that, even though we were the best team in the league for a large majority of the season in the stretches of the season when we were winning games because we were better than teams, but we weren’t playing the way we were capable of. We kind of got comfortable at different moments and would pull games out. Even if we won, everybody would be happy but, in reality, it shouldn’t have even been close. So now, with us, in a little bit of a hunt again, everybody kind of refocuses and plays the way we need to play.”
Getting the No. 1 seed will surely ease the Celtics’ path to the NBA Finals. Not solely would they earn residence courtroom benefit via the East playoffs, they might keep away from having to undergo each the 76ers and Bucks.
The Celtics had the No. 2 seed final yr and made the Finals. If they will’t regain the No. 1 seed, they’re not making excuses.
“If we don’t get it – regardless, you have to play basketball,” Brogdon mentioned. “Regardless, you are going to get people’s best games and regardless, you are going to have to go through teams like Milwaukee. We’re going to be prepared regardless.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com