The Boston Celtics are back in the playoffs after their one-year absence.
On Monday night the Chicago Bulls defeated the Brooklyn Nets, giving the Celtics a playoff birth, which we know now will be the seven seed.
After a loss to the Miami Heat on February 1, the Celtics were 14 games under .500 at 16-30 overall. Since then, Boston has gone on a hot streak, spurred by the acquisition of guard Isaiah Thomas, winning 23 of 34 games since February 3.
Boston’s 23 wins give them third-most wins in the league (tied with Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers) since Feb 3. Only the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs have better records.
Now, after Tuesday night’s last second win over the Toronto Raptors, the Celtics post-season birth became a definite seven seed, despite what Indiana or Brooklyn would do in their final contests.
The shot by Jae Crowder as time expired in Boston’s win over Toronto, depicts perfectly how this resilient team overcame the “rebuild” they were faced with.
Of course, the fact that the Celtics are in the weaker Eastern Conference made it a bit easier for them, and so did the Cavaliers resting their starters for two of Boston’s final regular season matchups, but that’s not the point.
The point is the “rebuilding team” in January, is now a playoff team in mid-April.
Celtics versus LeBron’s Cavaliers in the playoffs, that’s something Boston fans have grown to know and love.
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