A playoff primer for Celtics fans

Boston fans are used to seeing the Sox and Patriots in the playoffs. We know what to expect and look forward to. Not so with the Celtics. In the last 12 years, the Celtics have qualified for the postseason just four times. This year’s team has already clinched a playoff spot with the best record in the league heading into Thursday night’s action. So, it seems like a good time to take a refresher course on what to expect next.

First of all, there are some recent rule changes you should be aware of. Now, the top four teams are the three division winners and the second-place finisher with the best record. Home court goes to the team with the better record — regardless of division. So, it is possible that a No. 5 seed could have an advantage over the No. 4 seed. One of the goals of these rule changes was to make sure the top two teams in each conference had a chance to meet no sooner than the conference finals. That means the Celtics could be facing Detroit for the right to go to the Finals.

Another thing to watch for in the postseason is how quickly rivalries begin. Over the course of seven very physical, very intense games, the teams have every opportunity to get on each others’ nerves. The players are right up in each others faces, with a lot at stake. Tempers can get heated. Will the Celtics-Pistons rivalry be renewed after all these years?

The postseason is also a place where reputations are made, good or bad. Dwyane Wade took his game to a whole new level in 2006 when he led Miami to the title. Dallas is still trying to live down the reputation that comes from being a No. 1 seed that gets knocked out in the first round. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen have all made it to the conference finals, but never past that. Can they cement their legacies by taking that last step together?

Coaching matters in the playoffs. Teams have more time to game plan for each other. Weaknesses are exposed and attacked, and it is up to the coach to recognize and react to what is happening faster than the opponent. Is Doc Rivers up to the task despite never winning a playoff series (in four tries)?

The Celtics haven’t played into May and June in some time, but this is the best team they’ve had in some time. Considering the team is giving up the fewest points in the league, fans can only hope that one other playoff truism holds form: Defense wins Championships.

Jeff Clark is the founder and lead writer of celticsblog.com.