Boston Celtics: 3 goals going into the NBA playoffs

Boston Celtics goal No. 1 going into the NBA playoffs: Get the highest seed possible.

While this goal may feel a little obvious, the Celtics need to not compete in the play-in tournament if they can avoid it. They are have struggled a little towards the end of the season and need to have a break before they start their postseason. Otherwise, they risk being bundled out.

The biggest problem is they are missing Brown who has been incredible for them all season. He is out for the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his left wrist. As a result, Jayson Tatum is carrying a huge load, trying to drag his team to victory with some incredible performances.

The other problem is the Celtics are picking up the usual end-of-season niggle type injury. Williams is out due to a foot injury which he sustained a couple of games ago and tried to play on it to help his team. The Celtics cannot afford to lose another key rotation piece.

They would also like to rest Walker, despite the fact he has just returned. Without Brown, Walker is now even more important to the Celtics. As mentioned earlier, he has missed so much time, they need him healthy for a playoff push.

The biggest problem for the Celtics is that the two teams above them, the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks, both own their series tiebreakers. The Celtics need to win every game from here on out and hope it is enough.