While the Celtics have long known they will be the No. 2 seed in the East playoffs, the rest of the standings could have fallen a number of ways. But after Friday’s slate of games, and with one game left in the regular season, the East standings and matchups have all been finalized.
There were still some question marks, but they were all answered as two first-round series are set. Here’s a look at the East standings 1-10 after Friday’s games:
PlaceTeamRecordGames back1. Cleveland Cavaliers64-17–2.Boston Celtics60-2143.New York Knicks50-31144.Indiana Pacers49-32155.Milwaukee Bucks47-34176.Detroit Pistons44-37207.Orlando Magic41-40238.Atlanta Hawks39-42259.Chicago Bulls38-432610.Miami Heat37-4427
From the Celtics’ perspective, they now know the two teams who they could see in the first round: either the Magic or the Hawks. They won’t know for sure until after the first play-in game, which is set for Tuesday, April 15 in Orlando. The winner of that game will be the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and play the No. 2-seeded Celtics.
“Another incredible season,” Jayson Tatum said after the Celtics blew out the Hornets. “60-plus-win team. And obviously the goal is to compete for championships, but I think enjoying the process along the way and cherishing those small wins per se, and acknowledging that we had another incredible regular season. Something to be proud of for sure, but now just kind of shifting gears and getting our minds and our bodies right for what’s to come.”
Elsewhere, two first-round series are set: No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pistons and No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 5 Bucks. The Pacers and Bucks met in the first round last year, though Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play due to injury in the six-game series. Indiana ended up in the East Finals, getting swept by the champion Celtics in four games.
The Knicks and Pistons should be one of the more intriguing matchups of the first round. The Pistons have been the biggest surprise in the league this season, going from a historic losing streak last year all the way to a playoff berth. The Pistons have had success against the Knicks this season, though it’s no guarantee that translates to the playoffs.
The Cavaliers await at the top of the East after a stellar regular season. They could face any of the four play-in teams in the Magic, Hawks, Bulls or Heat. The Cavs won’t find out their first-round opponent until the play-in tourney concludes Friday. But the Cavs will be expected to make it to the East Finals, where they could face the defending champion Celtics. But there’s a lot of basketball still left to be played until then.
The East races went relatively smooth, though it could’ve gone a number of ways based off results. But the West is another story as multiple teams are still fighting for playoff positioning. Teams are jam-packed up and down the standings where any singular loss could have them dropping multiple spots. From the East’s perspective, they’ll watch from afar as none of the East teams will have much to play for come Sunday’s season finale.
