Why Celtics ‘Not Surprised’ By Prominent Eastern Conference Contender

BOSTON — The top two teams in the Eastern Conference play for the final time in the regular season on what could be a playoff collision course when the Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Boston eliminated Cleveland in five games in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season. The Celtics took two of the first three matchups this season in a sensational season for the Cavaliers, who control the top seed by 6 1/2 games entering Friday night.

The Celtics and Cavaliers could very well play in May with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line. The success of the top team in the Eastern Conference stacks up for Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who gave plenty of credit to Cleveland for sustained postseason contention.

“They had a great coach last year, they have a great coach now,” Mazzulla told reporters at TD Garden. “This is a great team. This is a team that won 17 of 18 at one point. They went into the playoffs not healthy. I don’t think they’re doing much different. They’re healthier this year than they were last year. This team doesn’t surprise me. They’ve played really good basketball for the last few years.”

The only other game the Celtics hosted the Cavaliers in this season came back in the NBA Cup in a three-point win for Boston on Nov. 17.