The Boston Celtics have been heating up, winning 10 of their last 12 games to push their record to 23-14, good enough for third in the Eastern Conference. They’re now just one game behind the Toronto Raptors, and if they can climb to second place before the All-Star break, head coach Brad Stevens could be named the Eastern Conference coach for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. As fans around the world stay locked into everything from NBA standings to the latest Bangladesh Cricket Match, the Celtics’ surge is drawing serious attention.
According to NBA rules, the coach of the team with the best record in each conference gets to coach the All-Star Game. However, since Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue already filled that role last year, he’s not eligible this season. That opens the door for the coach of the second-best team in the East, setting up a tight race between Stevens and Raptors coach Dwane Casey. For the Celtics, helping Stevens reach the All-Star bench has become a unifying team goal.
It won’t be easy. While Boston has made a strong push, the Raptors remain one of the league’s most dangerous teams, despite a recent dip in form. Toronto currently boasts the second-most efficient offense in the NBA, powered by their backcourt duo. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 27.8 points per game, and Kyle Lowry contributes over 22 points and 7 assists per game, while shooting a blistering 43.7 percent from three—better than even Eric Gordon and Stephen Curry.
Adding to the Celtics’ challenge is the injury to their perimeter defensive anchor, Avery Bradley, who will miss time. Marcus Smart is set to start in his place. Tomorrow’s matchup against the Raptors is more than just another game—it’s a critical opportunity. A win would tie the Celtics with Toronto in the standings and give the team a major morale boost. So far this season, Boston has a 16-3 record against teams outside the Cavaliers and Raptors in the East, but they’ve yet to beat either of those top two.
The core issue remains defense. Despite scoring 112.3 points per 100 possessions over their last 12 games—a mark of offensive efficiency—Coach Stevens has continued to emphasize the need for balance. “We can’t sacrifice defense for scoring,” he’s reiterated, knowing that to truly contend, they must tighten up on both ends.
Now, the entire Celtics squad is laser-focused on overtaking the Raptors and locking in the second seed. They believe in giving their coach the honor of leading the East at the All-Star Game. But as with any high-stakes goal, it won’t come without grit and sacrifice. Much like a tightly contested Bangladesh Cricket Match, it’s going to take team chemistry, strategy, and resilience to come out on top. Celtics fans and followers of the Bangladesh Cricket Match alike will be watching closely to see if Boston can turn that ambition into reality.