The Boston Celtics have played extremely impressively this year and are looking likely to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. They really ranked in the East at 38­-25 and are third in the conference. They should be looking ahead to the playoffs very soon. Brad Stevens, the 3rd year coach, has kept saying that they’re focused on their games ahead but when you’re 4 games ahead of the 5th place team and 2 ahead of the Heat in 4th place, there comes a point when you can start preparing for the playoffs. However, unlike other teams, this Celtics team is one that can lose focus quickly, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Just a few games ago, against the Timber-wolves, they allowed 124 points, 22 points above their average per game, and were practically ran over by Minnesota’s big man, Karl Anthony Towns. He scored 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, something that the Celtics need to eliminate going into the playoffs against teams that have powerful big men, like the Hawks with Al Horford, a possible first round match-up.

On the other end of the court, the Celtics have been astoundingly consistent, going at a fast pace and averaging 106 points per game, 4th in the NBA. The focal point of the team has been, of course, Isaiah Thomas. The first year All Star has been tremendous, scoring 22 points and 7 assists per game. Critics have said he cannot be a foundational player, but he has continued to prove them wrong and could very easily be the second or third best player on a contending team. Evan Turner, the Celtics top combo player, switches between shooting guard and small forward and usually guards the other team’s second best player. He has also taken some weight off of Thomas’ shoulders, especially when the Celts are trying to maintain leads late in the game.

Boston has also gotten help from Jae Crowder, a mid season pickup last year. Crowder has been amazingly influential late in the game, he is 5 for 6 this year in hitting go ahead shots with less than 10 seconds left on the clock. He has surely helped the C’s, for 4 of those 5 shots have led to victories. If the Celtics have a tight game in a playoff series, Crowder will be a huge asset late in the game. I think we have learned this year that the Celtics are a scrappy, fast paced team with lots of grit and desire. I personally have no idea how long they can last in the playoffs but I do know, Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens have done so much together in the past 3 years to get to where they are now that, to me, anything is possible. I am predicting however, the Celtics will get to the Eastern Conference Finals but lose in 5 games to the Cavaliers.

With Isaiah Thomas leading the charge and the Celtics consistent offense, I don’t think any average team in the Eastern Conference could topple the Celtics in the playoffs this year.