The Celtics clinched the East’s top seed on Mar. 25 and the NBA’s best record on Apr. 4. They’ve sat back since, playing out the schedule some nights, resting on others. Fans have watched with intrigue as the first round scenarios narrowed slightly each night.
“The next time we get on the plane, we mean business,” Jayson Tatum said mic’d up before Boston’s final road game at Milwaukee. “Where are we going? Are going down to Miami? Are we going back to Brotherly Love? Are we gonna go to Indiana?”
“Atlanta?” Derrick White said. “Chicago?