BREAKING NOW: Celtics Rolling Into the Playoffs — Here’s Who They Look Forward To

BOSTON — The Celtics are firing on all cylinders as they charge toward the end of the regular season. With Friday’s win over the Phoenix Suns — and the full roster healthy and active — Boston improved to 57-20, winning 15 of their last 17 games. Momentum is clearly on their side.

Despite the Cavaliers also picking up a win against the Spurs, Boston holds steady in the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. With just five games left, the playoff picture is nearly locked in, and the Celtics are all but guaranteed to open the postseason with home-court advantage as the East’s second seed. But their opponent? That’s still a mystery.

Play-In Picture Takes Shape

The Celtics will face the winner of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, and while the four play-in teams are virtually set, the order remains fluid. Here’s where things stand after Saturday’s games:

This marks the third consecutive year that the Bulls, Hawks, and Heat are part of the play-in mix — proving to be perennial battlers on the postseason bubble.

In case fans need a refresher: the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds face off first, with the winner claiming the No. 7 spot in the playoffs. The loser of that game gets one more chance, facing the winner of the 9 vs. 10 matchup for the final No. 8 seed. All play-in games are hosted by the higher seed.

For the Celtics, this means a short wait post-regular season before knowing their opponent — unlike the No. 1 seed, which won’t find out until the tournament wraps up later in the week.

Scouting Potential First-Round Opponents

Here’s a closer look at the four teams jostling for position — and possibly a date with Boston in Round 1:

Orlando Magic (No. 7)

Despite early injuries to stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Orlando is finishing strong with a 6-2 record in their last eight. Defensively, they’re elite — currently ranked top-3 — but their offense lags near the bottom of the league (27th). The Magic are 1-1 against the Celtics this season with one final matchup on April 9 in Orlando. Their playoff fate could hinge on two head-to-head battles with Atlanta.

Remaining schedule: vs. Atlanta, vs. Boston, at Indiana, at Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks (No. 8)

Atlanta’s season has been a mixed bag. They’re mid-tier on both ends of the floor (20th offensive rating, 19th defensive), but individual talents like Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher keep them competitive. The Hawks lead the season series against Boston 2-1, showing they can be dangerous. Their final five games include three against sub-.500 teams, giving them a shot to climb the standings.

Remaining schedule: vs. Utah, at Orlando, at Brooklyn, at Philadelphia, vs. Orlando

Chicago Bulls (No. 9)

The Bulls have surged into the play-in with an 11-4 run, even after trading away Zach LaVine. They’ve found a way to stay competitive despite subpar rankings in both offense (19th) and defense (24th). Boston handled Chicago well this season, winning three of four. The Bulls’ closing schedule includes three winnable games and two tough ones, including a visit to Philly.

Remaining schedule: at Charlotte, at Cleveland, vs. Miami, vs. Washington, at Philadelphia

Miami Heat (No. 10)

The Heat looked down and out during a brutal 10-game losing streak in the post-Jimmy Butler era, but have bounced back with a six-game win streak that included a victory over the Celtics. Miami is still clinging to playoff hopes and has the easiest remaining schedule of the four. Ranked 10th in defense and 21st in offense, they’ve shown flashes of life. Boston leads the season series 3-1, but Miami could sneak into another first-round showdown.

Remaining schedule: vs. Philadelphia, at Chicago, at New Orleans, vs. Washington

With the regular season winding down, all eyes are on the East’s play-in race — and which team will earn the right to face a red-hot Celtics squad that’s looking like a serious title contender.