The Boston Celtics finish up a nice little break before they end the regular season this week.  They take on the Miami Heat tomorrow night and the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday night before the playoffs begin this coming weekend.

Boston’s reserves fought hard to the finish Friday night in Atlanta, but the Celtics eventually fell.  There did play without Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, who are both nursing injuries, as well as Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett who got the night off to rest.

Pierce and Garnett should definitely be in the lineup to finish up the season at home, but Allen and Rondo could be inactive to make sure their injuries heal before the playoffs.

Boston’s playoff spot is all but secured at the number four seed, and they should face off against Atlanta in the first round.  The Hawks, however, will get home court advantage with a better winning percentage than the Celtics.

The Celtics went 2-1 against the Hawks this season, and the only loss was last Friday’s game when none of Boston’s big four played.  They should be in a good position to get out of the first round, but that could all depend on the health of Allen and especially Rondo.

Boston has what it takes to make a championship run.  Experience is one of the biggest factors during the playoffs; a young team could be great all season long, but the post season is a different story.

The Celtics have the drive to prove everyone wrong, and the players and coaches seem to be invested 100% in bring banner 18 home to the Garden.