The Boston Celtics currently stand in first place of the Eastern Conference at 42-17. Just half a game up on the Milwaukee Bucks (41-17), securing the #1 seed should be the team’s top priority.

According to tankathon.com, Boston has the 10th most difficult remaining schedule with 23 games left. Of those remaining games, the most challenging include: Sixers (2), Cavaliers (2), Knicks (2), and Bucks (1). While it looks like a challenge, there is room for optimism.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Bucks superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is likely to miss time with a right wrist sprain.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a sprained ligament in his right wrist and will undergo treatment with the expectation that he'll be able to return to the lineup once the pain subsides, sources tell ESPN. He was examined in New York today.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2023

With Giannis’ likely being sidelined, the Bucks may take a step back. They have the 11th most difficult remaining schedule, and it gives the Celtics an opportunity to extend their Eastern Conference lead.

How the road currently plays out

As the NBA standings currently stand, it is looking top heavy in the East. Having home court throughout the playoffs is imperative to not just the Celtics success, but to any contender. With the #1 seed, Boston would likely face a team like Atlanta (29-30), Washington (28-30), or Toronto (28-31) first round. Each of those teams have shown their struggles this year, considering all 3 are a few games below .500 for their team record. The #2 seed currently projects to face the New York Knicks (33-27), or the Miami Heat (32-27). Avoiding the Knicks or Heat would be ideal. In the Knicks case, they have given the Celtics issues this year, and Miami has shown in the past that they are not afraid of Boston.

After the first round, the top seed faces the winner of the #4 and #5 seeds, who are currently held by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets. The new-look Nets no longer have Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving, and do not possess the talent that Cleveland does.

Cleveland poses a threat to give the Celtics a series, considering they have beaten them in their two matchups this year (both games went to OT). However, home court is the key in this series. The Cavaliers have struggled on the road all year (13-17), and having 4 games at the TD Garden may be the deciding factor.

The two seed would be facing the winner of the #3 seed vs #6 seed, which would likely be the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers and Celtics own one of the longest rivalries in NBA History, where Boston had had Philly’s number for years. The Sixers should not be taken lightly though, where players like Joel Embiid & James Harden could pose big problems.

It is imperative to reign at the top of the East for Boston. They need to continue their dominance, not play down to their lesser opponents, and show up big against the best of the best in their remaining 23 games.