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What a weird year. Even at .500, the Celtics are currently in 6th place in the East, just one game out of 4th place. Of course they are also 1.5 games ahead of the two teams tied for 9th place. So a few games one way or the other could propel the Celtics into either hosting a first round series or finding themselves in the play-in game or worse.
Knicks lose a wild one in OT to the Sixers.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) March 22, 2021
Celtics win one game, and jump to 6th in the East, just one game behind Atlanta for 4th.
4. Atlanta 22-20
5. Miami 22-21
6. BOSTON 21-21
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7. New York 21-22
8. Charlotte 20-21
9. Indiana 19-22
Chicago 19-22
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At the top of the East is a trio of teams that don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The 76ers are finally fulfilling their promise as a team. The Nets just have too many stars. And the Bucks have found a good mix of talent to surround Giannis with.
In that next tier down there’s a glut of 7 teams that could go in either direction. Atlanta has found their groove (or is it the dead coach bounce?). Miami has recovered from some early season struggles. The surprising Knicks are hanging in there. The feel-good Hornets have outperformed expectations but were just dealt with an injury to Ball. Then there’s Indiana and Chicago treading water just outside the playoff picture.
In a normal year, hovering around .500 would put you with the Pacers and Bulls vying for the play-in game. This year it puts you in position to grab the 4th seed with a good week.
So with 30 games left in the season, where do you think the Celtics will finish? 4th seed? Play-in game? Somewhere in the middle? Or out of the playoffs entirely?