BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics are in the playoffs. The Detroit Pistons aren't far behind.
Boston became the first NBA team to clinch a postseason berth, getting a season-high 31 points from Kevin Garnett on Wednesday night to earn a bruising 90-78 victory over Detroit, its closest competitor in the Eastern Conference.
"That's not what we want," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "That's nice, but last year it would have been a parade."
The Celtics missed the playoffs the last two seasons, but the arrival of Garnett and Ray Allen has raised expectations for the NBA's most-decorated franchise. So even though Wednesday's victory ended their playoff drought, it was more important because it gave them a 2-1 victory in the season series with Detroit.
"It was good to beat them in the regular season and win the series, but this is a team we're probably going to see in the playoffs," said Paul Pierce, who scored 15 points. "They'll be a better team by then."
But if the Pistons (44-17) tie the Celtics (47-12) in the standings and meet them in the playoffs, Boston would have the home-court advantage. That could be crucial, considering the way the teams banged into each other the first three times they played this season.
Sportsline.com - read article here...
Boston became the first NBA team to clinch a postseason berth, getting a season-high 31 points from Kevin Garnett on Wednesday night to earn a bruising 90-78 victory over Detroit, its closest competitor in the Eastern Conference.
"That's not what we want," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "That's nice, but last year it would have been a parade."
The Celtics missed the playoffs the last two seasons, but the arrival of Garnett and Ray Allen has raised expectations for the NBA's most-decorated franchise. So even though Wednesday's victory ended their playoff drought, it was more important because it gave them a 2-1 victory in the season series with Detroit.
"It was good to beat them in the regular season and win the series, but this is a team we're probably going to see in the playoffs," said Paul Pierce, who scored 15 points. "They'll be a better team by then."
But if the Pistons (44-17) tie the Celtics (47-12) in the standings and meet them in the playoffs, Boston would have the home-court advantage. That could be crucial, considering the way the teams banged into each other the first three times they played this season.
Sportsline.com - read article here...
