Even though the Celtics have been varying levels of healthy the past few weeks, all they do is keep picking up victories. They’ve won 12 of their last 13 games, looking like the reigning champions, as they’ve shaken off their midseason malaise. They’re also 4-0 on their current six-game road trip, winning each game by double digits.
As the C’s rack up victories, they’re also getting an unexpected boost elsewhere in the standings. The Cavaliers have lost five of their last eight games, dropping to 59-15 on the season. The Celtics, who are 54-19, are 4.5 games back in the standings for first place in the East. The teams split their season series, each winning once at home and on the road, in what could be a potential East Finals preview.
With nine games left in the Celtics’ season, it’s still improbable for them to catch the Cavs. But the C’s have made up ground in the past couple of weeks to make it at least interesting. They’re also eight games ahead of the third-place Knicks, who are 46-27, so they’ve almost clinched at least the No. 2 seed in the East and the Atlantic division.
In looking at the schedule further, the Cavs do have a tough slate coming up compared to the Celtics. Boston’s path for the rest of the season is lean, allowing the team to rest guys to ensure they’re healthy for the playoffs — and they also keep winning. In the last nine games, they only play two teams with a winning record, including the Knicks and Grizzlies, the latter of whom fired coach Taylor Jenkins in a stunning move.
The Cavaliers, though, have a more competitive path going forward. Of their final eight games, five of them are against teams with a winning record. Those teams have something to play for, too, as they jostle for playoff positioning. The Cavs, of course, control their own destiny going forward as they’re the ones with a sizable lead. Still, for those C’s fans watching the standings, the Cavs losing games makes it at least a conversation going forward.
For now, the Celtics look like they’ll have plenty of competition through these playoffs. On their way to the 2024 NBA championship, the C’s dominated the league as they went 16-3 in the playoffs. They met resistance, but by the time they hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy, the Celtics prevailed on their way to Banner No. 18.
The Cavs are looking like a formidable foe in the East. Plus, whoever comes out of the West will also be looking to knock off the defending champs, if the C’s make it that far. With the playoffs just a few weeks away, there’ll be plenty of storylines to watch going forward.
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