Current Record/Seed: 52-25, 2nd in East
The Celtics gave away 40 percent of their starting lineup from the 2024 championship, were without Jayson Tatum for the majority of the season and are still going to finish in the same spot in the East as they did a year ago.
No one will want to face Boston in a playoff series, especially with Tatum looking more and more like his old self (25.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 37.8 percent from three over his last four games).
Current Record/Seed: 42-36, 8th in East
Charlotte has been red hot over the last few months and owns the NBA’s second-highest net rating since the All-Star break (plus-12.7).
They’ll still fall short of catching the equally hot Atlanta Hawks or healthy Philadelphia 76ers, however. The Hornets will win their 7-8 play-in matchup to ultimately finish as the No. 7 seed in the East and earn the “privilege” of playing the Celtics in Round 1.