The Boston Celtics didn’t have home court advantage in the first round of last season’s NBA playoffs. When they arrived home facing an 0-2 hole after losing both games to the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road, the series virtually was over.
The C’s are aiming for a different situation this season, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said Thursday.
“Home court is an advantage,” Ainge said during his weekly radio appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub morning show “Toucher & Rich.”
“They call it home-court advantage for a reason; it certainly is an advantage. It’s not an end-all be-all. I’d much rather have a hundred percent health and freshness than have the home court. But we’re striving to win as many games as we can to get as good a seeding as we can, and we still have a tough schedule ahead of us, and it’s going to be a challenge.
“I’m excited that we’re going to have a postseason. We haven’t secured that yet, but it looks like we’re heading for the postseason. And that will be a great learning experience again for our players.”
The Celtics are in a three-way tie with the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference entering Thursday’s slate of games. The top four seeds earn home court in Round 1 of the postseason.
As Ainge mentioned, Boston will have to balance a push for home court with keeping everyone healthy. Swingman Jae Crowder is expected to return soon from a high ankle sprain after sitting out since May 11, and the Celtics would benefit greatly from having him at full strength in the postseason.
The Celtics have won nine of their last 10 playoff series with home court advantage.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
