The Celtics didn't play on Saturday, but that doesn't mean there wasn't an impact to them.
The Boston Celtics didn't play on Saturday night, but that doesn't mean they weren't impacted by the NBA schedule.
The Detroit Pistons toppled the Philadelphia 76ers, which means that the Pistons have secured the No. 1 seed in the looming Eastern Conference playoffs. Boston is now five games back of Detroit with five games to play. As a result, the Celtics can finish no better than the No. 2 seed, which is still an excellent position for a team that traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holliday this offseason, as well as let Al Horford go and played much of the season without Jayson Tatum.
The Celtics enter play on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors at 52-25. They are 2.5 games up on the New York Knicks for the No. 2 spot, so it's not secured yet. As a result, it will be interesting to see how the C's handle things over the final few games. Will they sit players in an effort to get guys right for the playoffs? Or will they wait until the No. 2 seed is officially wrapped up and then do it? Joe Mazzulla will have some decisions in front of him.
Last time out
The Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 133-101 on Friday night in Milwaukee. Neemias Queta made some obscure Boston history.
The big man started, playing 29 minutes and scoring 19 points. He was efficient from the floor, going 8-of-11, and he was also 3-of-4 at the foul line. A rebounding machine, Queta pulled down 10 boards and dished out two assists. He also had four blocks, making his biggest impact in the opening quarter, which Boston won by 17.
Per Taylor Snow on social media:
Neemias Queta is the 4th NBA player on record with at least 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks and 80.0 FG% in the opening quarter of a game.
The others:
Anthony Davis
Emeka Okafor
Chris Webber
Also need to know
When the Celtics take on the Raptors, they'll do so with a different-than-usual television broadcast as NBC Sports Boston will deploy an "all-female broadcast team."
Longtime C's sideline reporter Abby Chin will handle the play-by-play duties. She's been with the Celtics since 2013 and certainly has an excellent knowledge of the organization.
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