There is a new top team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference and a former Washington Husky helped get them there. Isaiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics enter the 2017 playoffs this weekend as the number 1 seed in the East.
Boston claimed the top spot with a 112-94 win over Milwaukee while the number two-seeded Cavaliers lost to Toronto Wednesday night. With the fourth best record in the league, the Celtics are assured of home-court advantage through the conference finals.
Thomas, the former University of Washington star, is an MVP candidate this season. The diminutive point guard averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists this season, topping the squad.
The Celtics open up the playoffs Sunday in Boston versus the number eight seeded Chicago Bulls.
| FIRST ROUND |
|---|
| EASTERN CONFERENCE |
| Chicago vs. Boston |
Sunday, April 16: Chicago at Boston, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18: Chicago at Boston, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 21: Boston at Chicago, 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 23: Boston at Chicago, 3:30 p.m.
x-Wednesday, April 26: Chicago at Boston, TBD
x-Friday, April 28: Boston at Chicago, TBD
x-Sunday, April 30: Chicago at Boston, TBD
(KPUG – Doug Lange; Information from the Associated Press used in this story)