The Celtics clinched the Atlantic Division title, and thus at least the Eastern Conference’s second seed, with their 114-105 win over Brooklyn Monday night at the Garden.
Not that they’ll want to submit this result to the postseason judging committee. After leading by as many as 27 points in the third quarter, the Celtics fell prey to an 18-5 Nets run and spent the rest of the night fighting to stay ahead.
They were saved by Al Horford, who scored eight of his 19 points in the last 4:17, and a 27-point performance by Isaiah Thomas. They combined to score the Celtics’ last 15 points.