There's just three games left in the regular season, but Thursday's game still matters to Boston a great deal.
There are just three games left in the regular season, but the Boston Celtics still have much to play for on Thursday night when they visit the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden (7:30 p.m. ET).
The Celtics enter play at 54-25 through 79 games, while the Knicks are 51-28. A Celtics win means that the C's clinch the Atlantic Division title and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
While seeding isn't the end-all, be-all, it's important to note that the No. 2 seed affords the Celtics to be home team in all possible Game 7 scenarios except against the Detroit Pistons, who are locked into the No. 1 seed already.
The Celtics have seen the importance of having Game 7s at home throughout the years, and they lost a Game 7 in the 2022-23 Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat on the road.
Furthermore, if they can wrap up the No. 2 seed on Thursday, they'll have the opportunity to rest players through the final two regular season games if they see a need for it.
The Celtics are certainly somewhat banged up, as they have four players listed as questionable for Thursday's game. Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta and Derrick White could all benefit from expanded rest down the stretch. Jayson Tatum, coming off his Achilles injury from last year's playoffs, would also benefit as well.
About the Knicks
Like the rest of the teams at the top of the East, the Knicks come in playing well. They've won seven of their last 10 games, and they are averaging 116.8 ppg for the season. However, the defense isn't as strong as Boston's, as they allow more than 110 points per night.
Point guard Jalen Brunson continues to lead the way, averaging 26.0 ppg. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 20.1.
The Knicks eliminated the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals a season ago before losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. They have been to the playoffs each of the last four years, including this one, but they haven't been to a Finals since 1998-99 when they lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
New York hasn't won an NBA championship since 1972-73. They have two titles in franchise history.
Also need to know
Thursday's game will air on Prime Video. The Celtics will finish the regular season with matchups against the New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic. The regular season ends on Sunday.
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