BOSTON – Every game has value to the Boston Celtics this time of year as they try and race towards securing home court advantage through at least the first round of the playoffs.
Knowing how heated the competition will be in the coming weeks, it becomes essential to protect their home court especially when it comes to facing a team that’s nipping at their heels like the Miami Heat.
The schedule says it’s just another matchup, but with just one game separating Boston (34-25) from the Heat (32-25), who are third and fourth in the East respectively, the Celtics players understand that this is far from just another game.
“It’s a big game,” acknowledged Boston’s Isaiah Thomas. “The next game is always the biggest game. But we know that they’re right behind us. We definitely want to get some separation in the standings. It’s a big game and we have to take care of home court.”
The Celtics are one of the hottest teams in the NBA in large part because of their success at home, where they have won nine in a row – the longest home winning streak under third-year coach Brad Stevens.
They face a Heat team that’s playing without perennial all-star Chris Bosh, who remains out indefinitely with what was initially thought to be a calf strain.
However, there have been multiple reports indicating Bosh is dealing with something similar to the blood clot that formed in his lungs last season, which sidelined him for the final 30 games of the season.
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Despite not having Bosh, the Heat have won three of their last four games and nine of 13.
“They’ve always been able to plug pieces in and still maintain a high level of play,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens. “That’s been the case ever since I’ve been here.”
Regardless of what the standings say, Stevens said his team’s approach has to remain the same.
“You should play every game the right way,” Stevens said. “So I guess you should go about it the right way all 82 games.”
Evan Turner has been a part of many important regular season games, well aware of the need to acknowledge the game’s significance while not making too big a deal out of its outcome.
“Every game is key but obviously, we just want to set the tone and come out aggressive and keep getting better,” Turner said. “If we win (today) and blow the next four or five … whatever (playoff) position doesn’t mean anything.”
Celtics big man Jared Sullinger echoed similar sentiments.
“Every game right now is like that,” Sullinger said. “Especially how tight the standings are in the east. Every game matters.”