The Boston Celtics had almost no trouble at all with the 14 teams that didn’t make the playoffs this season, going 35-4 against those squads. Against the teams that actually made the postseason, the Celtics were really good as well. Taking into account only the 16 playoff teams — and their games against one another — the No. 1 overall seed Celtics come up No. 1 yet again. Boston went 29-14 against the eventual playoff teams this season, the best such record in the league. Close behind: Oklahoma
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hustle plays and production from up and down the lineup helped the New Orleans Pelicans overcome the absence of leading-scorer Zion Williamson, keep their season alive and avoid a historically significant loss. Brandon Ingram scored 24 points, Jonas Valanciunas added 19 points and 12 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans booked a spot in the NBA playoffs with a 105-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings in a play-in tournament elimination game on Friday night. “We stayed togeth
New Orleans Pelicans (49-33, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25, first in the Western Conference)Oklahoma City; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Thunder -7.5; over/under is 214.5WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Thunder host first series matchupBOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder host the New Orleans Pelicans to begin the Western Conference first round. Oklahoma City went 2-1 against New Orleans during the regular season. The Thunder won the last reg
Miami Heat (46-36, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (64-18, first in the Eastern Conference)Boston; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Celtics -13.5; over/under is 208.5EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Celtics host first series matchupBOTTOM LINE: The Boston Celtics host the Miami Heat to begin the Eastern Conference first round. Boston went 3-0 against Miami during the regular season. The Celtics won the last regular season matchup 110-106 on Feb. 11. Jayson Tatum led