News Category: Boston Celtics

Host Celtics welcome depleted Heat in Game 5

The Boston Celtics are likely to be without Kristaps Porzingis in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the Heat, but don’t mention health concerns to Miami ahead of the possible closeout game Wednesday night. Top-seeded Boston took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 102-88 victory in Miami on Monday, but Porzingis exited that game late in the first half with a non-contact calf injury and did not return.

As Celtics hope to close out Heat, they know defense will be key

The Boston Celtics focused on playing stingy defense against the Miami Heat to swing the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series in their favor the last time the teams met. On Monday, look for Boston to keep the same mentality as they meet again in Miami for Game 4 of the best-of-seven series. The top-seeded Celtics carry a 2-1 series edge into the matchup against the eighth-seeded Heat. “Everybody knows how talented we are,” Celtics forward Jayson

Heat look to set tone in opener of series vs. Celtics

The eighth-seeded Miami Heat will be in a familiar position when they go on the road to open their Eastern Conference first-round series against the top-seeded Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon. Miami also was the No. 8 seed last season, when it battled its way to NBA Finals. The Heat’s path included a seven-game series victory over Boston in the conference finals before they lost to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals. Miami will

Wizards look to end tough season with positive result at Boston

The Washington Wizards will attempt to end their season on a high note and halt a five-game losing streak Sunday when they visit the Boston Celtics on the final day of the NBA’s regular season. The Wizards (15-66) were the first Eastern Conference team eliminated from playoff contention this season. Only Detroit (14-67) has a worse record in the NBA. The team’s coaching situation is one issue the Wizards will have to address following Sunday’s

Celtics on cruise control; Bucks trying to preserve No. 2 seed

The Milwaukee Bucks will attempt to end a four-game losing streak when they host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. The Bucks (47-31) have lost six of their past seven, and the four straight losses represent their longest skid of the season. Milwaukee is trying to hold off the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics (62-16) have clinched the No. 1 seed. “We’re not a

Celtics bid to stay sharp at home vs. Trail Blazers

The Boston Celtics will be seeking their 13th consecutive home victory when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Boston (61-16) improved its home record to 34-3 with a 101-100 win against Sacramento on Friday. The Celtics, who have clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, rested their starters in the fourth quarter and had their reserves on the court in the final minutes. “All those guys have played a significant role in winning

Kings, after collapse at New York, aim to rebound vs. Celts

In their first game since clinching the NBA’s best record, the Boston Celtics continue a three-game homestand against Western Conference foes when the Sacramento Kings pay a visit on Friday night. The Celtics (60-16) have responded to their second pair of back-to-back losses since October with a three-game win streak, including the 135-100 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday that brought them to the 60-win mark for the first time since 2008-09 and

Celtics aim to avenge early-season loss to Hornets

The Boston Celtics complete an extended road trip when they face the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. Other than back-to-back, last-minute losses in Atlanta, the Celtics have had a good road swing, going 3-2. They got back on track by winning 104-92 on Saturday at New Orleans. “The effort was there (and) the defensive execution as far as game plan was there,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of finding the right formula again. “It’s continuing

Celtics aim to avoid first three-game skid when they visit Pelicans

The Boston Celtics have lost consecutive games for just the third time all season. They’ll try to avoid their first three-game losing streak of 2023-24 when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. The Celtics (57-16) still have the NBA’s best record and had won nine games in a row before losing twice in three nights to the Hawks in Atlanta. They lost a 30-point lead in a 120-118 loss Monday and dropped a

Celtics look to earn top seed in East with win over Hawks

The Boston Celtics, winners of nine straight, could clinch the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference on Monday when they open a two-game series in Atlanta. Boston (57-14) needs one victory — or a Milwaukee Bucks loss — to mathematically nail down first place for the playoffs. Another win would give the team its most victories since the 2008-09 team went 62-20. “We’re just hungry for more,” Boston’s Sam Hauser said after Saturday’s 124-113