WALTHAM, Mass. -- The Boston Celtics head into Tuesday's game against Toronto with a chance to shuffle into a tie for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. There are obvious benefits to being the second-best team in the East, and it's a spot the Celtics should strive to hold by mid-April. But there's a benefit to being there in early February, too, as it would mean that Brad Stevens would serve as coach of the Eastern Conference All-Stars.
All-Star coaches are typically determined by the team with the best record in each conference shortly before the midseason exhibition.