Three things to look for as the Celtics host the Kings

It’s official. The Celtics have formally clinched the perfect file within the NBA. They’ve hit 60 wins for the primary time since 2008-09. They’re prepared for the playoffs. I believe all of us are.

However first, they’ve six extra regular-season video games, together with a stylistically entertaining residence matchup Friday at 7:30 p.m, in opposition to the Sacramento Kings.

There isn’t technically a lot to play for, however don’t anticipate Payton Pritchard or Sam Hauser to abruptly begin chucking up airballs. One constant theme all through the season is that no matter who’s on the market, the Celtics play with the identical vitality and expectations each night time.

Listed here are three issues to search for in Friday’s recreation:

Who begins, who performs and who finishes?

The Celtics had their full squad Wednesday in opposition to the Thunder (and it confirmed), however chances are high they gained’t have everybody play Friday night time now that the No. 1 total seed is solidified.

Whether or not it’s a stubbed toe, a paper minimize or just labeled as relaxation, coach Joe Mazzulla will doubtless discover a option to sit at the least considered one of Boston’s catalysts (if everybody performs, respect to them). Maybe it is going to be Jaylen Brown, who stated he has a strained ligament in his left hand.

He’s 17 factors away from 10,000, however he might have to attend. We will see.

Likelihood is that Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser will likely be regulars on this night time and past. If the Celtics blow the Kings out, they might end the sport. If it’s shut, they nonetheless would possibly.

That is the place folks have differing opinions. One line of logic says it’s clever to proceed to play the regulars (at the least an honest quantity), to move into the playoffs contemporary and with momentum. One other says it’s clever to relaxation the starters, enter rejuvenated and belief that their habits will carry them regardless of a layoff.

Personally, I’d do one thing within the center. Play some guys in some video games, sit others in different video games and blend and match till the common season ends.

Possibly they will win an in depth recreation?

The Celtics are 12-2 of their final 14 video games. All however a type of wins has been by double digits, and the one which wasn’t, in opposition to the Bucks, was quite a bit nearer than it ought to have been.

Their solely two losses in that span had been head-scratchers in opposition to the Hawks in late March. It could be helpful to win an in depth recreation or two on this last six. Earlier than that, they misplaced two shut video games to the Cavaliers and Nuggets – so the pattern exists to some extent, at the least within the brief time period.

Apart from the Bucks recreation, they haven’t gained a recreation by single digits since mid-February.

It’s not like they’re going to tank a recreation to place themselves in that state of affairs (although it might be sneaky sensible), however discovering themselves down 5 to Sacramento with 5 minutes left could possibly be helpful in the long term.

Calling ending in shut video games a weak point can be a stretch. However it’s an space the place the Celtics are human. Discovering a option to pull out a decent win, in opposition to a stable opponent, would offer a lift.

How do the Kings look?

Sacramento will likely be on the second night time of a again to again, following a recreation in New York in opposition to the Knicks on Thursday.

I personally suppose the again to again is a bit overblown within the NBA. They’re extraordinarily effectively conditioned skilled athletes. They’ll deal with it.

However there’s considerably of a bonus to sitting at residence, sleeping in your mattress and ready for a crew amid a four-game highway journey to come back to your own home.

The Kings are proper on the border between the playoffs and play-in, so this can be a huge recreation for Sacramento. Domantas Sabonis is on a tear, De’Aaron Fox is at all times a menace and Sacramento has taking pictures all through the roster. This will likely be a a stable check.

But when this season has taught us something…It might not matter in any respect who performs or who the opponent is. If Boston is at residence, and the TD Backyard crowd is roaring, chances are high the Celtics will win by double digits. Sorry prematurely if I simply jinxed it.