The Boston Celtics have experienced their first playoff sweep since the 2011 season.  The Boston Celtics, the number 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, defeated the Indiana Pacers, the 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.  On Sunday, the Celtics defeated the Pacers 110-106.

This victory came to a close with the Celtics winning four out of four playoff games against the Pacers.  Winning four playoff games in a series will complete a series win in the NBA playoff format.  This best of seven format works to separate home games for each team.  The higher seed has games 1, 2, 5, and 7 at home.  The lower seed has games 3, 4, and 6 at home. The higher seed is compensated with having a better regular season record by receiving the extra home game.  In a series, a team can win within the first four games, which is called a sweep.  Games 5, 6, and 7 are only played if neither team has reached 4 win in the series before the start of the game.

For the Celtics, there was much doubt entering the playoffs.  As the season began, the Celtics were the favorites to win the Eastern Conference and had the second highest odds to win the NBA Championship.  After a very up-and-down season, the Celtics finished 4 in the East.  The Celtics were touted as inconsistent, having selfish play, and having too much drama inside the locker room and outside.

All of this doubt was put to rest after this impressive series.  Although the Celtics had lower scoring games, the Celtics played their style of basketball and led play throughout the series.  As the defense grinded out defensive stops, the offensive created meticulous plays and teamwork to score.  The Celtics played team ball, with several players having double digit point totals in each game of the series.

As the first team in the NBA to complete a sweep and advance to the second round in the 2019 playoffs, the Celtics have gained some well earned confidence.  The next round will feature a series against either the Milwaukee Bucks, the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, or the Detroit Pistons, the number 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.  The Bucks are looking to be favorites to win that series, as they are up 3 games to none in the series.  The Celtics ousted the Bucks from the playoffs last year.  As the Bucks had the best record in the NBA, the Celtics will have their work cut out for them.

For now, the Celtics have time to celebrate their great accomplishment!

Celtics Kyrie Irving scoring a tear drop shot

Celtics bench celebrating the game winning bucket, Game 2