With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the Celtics are at the top of the Eastern Conference standings and in control of their own destiny down the stretch. As anticipated, the team has taken care of business on its homestand, grinding out four straight wins on the TD Garden floor with a full complement of players. Meanwhile the Cavaliers have dropped four of their last six contests, opening the door for Boston to seize control.
The C’s will continue to be favored in their next three contests (vs. Milwaukee, vs. Orlando, at New York), making it likely that they hold onto first until the Cavaliers come to town next week.