What tonight means for the Celtics' playoff race
The Celtics are 0-0 with a magic number of 83 and an elimination number of 83 — holding the No. 2 seed — Pistons is the first team outside the top 6, 0 back.
Tonight they visit Pistons.
Nothing is decided for a top-6 seed tonight.
Top-6 seedMagic 83 · Elim 83
Nothing is decided for a top-6 seed tonight.
The Celtics can't clinch a top-6 seed tonight: the magic number is 83, and the best they can do tonight is get it down to 82.
The Celtics can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 82.
Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 82 and the elimination number between 82 and 83.
Play-in spotMagic 83 · Elim 83
Nothing is decided for at least a play-in spot tonight.
The Celtics can't clinch at least a play-in spot tonight: the magic number is 83, and the best they can do tonight is get it down to 82.
The Celtics can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 82.
Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 82 and the elimination number between 82 and 83.
Division titleMagic 83 · Elim 83
Nothing is decided for the division title tonight.
The Celtics can't clinch the division title tonight: the magic number is 83, and the best they can do tonight is get it down to 82.
The Celtics can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 81.
Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 82 and the elimination number between 81 and 82.
No. 1 seedMagic 83 · Elim 83
Nothing is decided for the No. 1 seed and home court tonight.
The Celtics can't clinch the No. 1 seed and home court tonight: the magic number is 83, and the best they can do tonight is get it down to 82.
The Celtics can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 81.
Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 82 and the elimination number between 81 and 82.
Games that matter tonight
- Celtics at Pistons
- 76ers at Knicks
Every combination of these results (4 in all) was checked with the same conservative math as the standings page, so each path listed is a mathematical guarantee — no tiebreaker assumptions in your favor. Want the result-by-result version? The rooting guide on the team page shows what each game does to the numbers.
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Frequently asked questions
How can the Boston Celtics clinch a top-6 seed tonight?
The Celtics can't clinch a top-6 seed tonight: the magic number is 83, and the best they can do tonight is get it down to 82.
Can the Boston Celtics be eliminated tonight?
The Celtics can't be eliminated tonight: the elimination number is 83, and the worst case after tonight's games is 82.
What is the Boston Celtics magic number right now?
The Boston Celtics magic number is 83 and their elimination number is 83. Once tonight's games are final, the magic number will be 82 and the elimination number between 82 and 83.
How are these scenarios calculated?
Every combination of results in the NBA games that bear on the race tonight is enumerated, and the magic and elimination numbers are recomputed in each one with the same conservative math as the standings page. The paths listed are the minimal sets of results that guarantee the outcome no matter how the other games end.