Where Do the Celtics Stand in the Playoff Race?

The Boston Celtics started off the 2014 regular basketball season with just about no chance of making a playoff run in the eyes of many. With the departure of Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks, it seemed unlikely that the Celtics would even manage to go above .500. But if you take a closer look, Brad Stevens has somehow molded a team full of young men, such as Kelly Olynyk, Evan Turner, and rookie Marcus Smart, to a team that now has a shot in a tight race to get a #8 playoff seed this year.

The Celtics have managed to score an average of 100.6 points a game this season, lead by former Phoenix Suns point guard, Isaiah Thomas, who is managing almost 20 PPG this season for them. With the exception of Gerald Wallace, the Celtics have managed to go from one of the oldest starting squads, to the youngest. With young legs on the court, the opportunities for some of these players to grow into superstars are endless.

The Celtics are now fighting, more than they ever have before. If they picked up a #8 seed and made it into the playoffs, they would be forced to go head to head with the Atlanta Hawks, who are arguably one of the best teams in all of the NBA. The question then becomes would you rather make it into the playoffs and be swept, or not make it and face disappointment? The Celtics are far from the same team they were last year. Since 2013 they’ve gained a new coach, and also new players to become involved in a fast paced system that has lead the team to multiple victories. With time winding down on the regular season, there’s no doubt that the Celtics have one thing on there minds; the playoffs.