BOSTON – Beating the Charlotte Hornets 102-89 on Wednesday did more than just pad the Boston Celtics’ victory total.
The victory over Charlotte assures the Celtics (16-13) they'll win the head-to-head series, with just one more game against the Hornets this season (April 11 in Boston).
That’s always important, but it takes on greater significance this season in the East, which looks like college move-in day with a lot going on but very little movement to show for it.
There’s always a certain amount of jockeying in the Eastern Conference, but typically it consists of three groups.
Teams contending for a title usually consists of two, maybe three clubs.
Then there are the teams that aren’t quite at the top of the food chain, but definitely playoff-caliber squads.
And then you have a handful of teams slugging it out for one of the last two or so playoff spots.
Boston Celtics
Fast-forward to this season where the only team that has distinguished itself thus far is Cleveland, the runaway pick as the best team in the East.
From there, just about every team in the East minus Philadelphia and Brooklyn, is firmly entrenched in the playoff picture.
Only 2.5 games separate the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 team, Atlanta (19-12), from its 10th-place squad Charlotte (15-13).
Boston is currently 9th in the East following Wednesday’s victory.
Because there is such close proximity up and down the conference standings, every win in conference play is huge.
And for Boston to have already won the head-to-head with a team that’s also among the hunters this season is huge.
They will face a similar challenge this weekend when they hit the road to face Detroit on Saturday for the second time this month, and return home to face the New York Knicks on Sunday.