Celtics Defy Expectations as East Contenders

BOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics, defying preseason expectations of a transitional year, entered the final week of the NBA regular season as a top contender in the Eastern Conference, with president of basketball operations Brad Stevens expressing measured optimism ahead of their playoff push.

Stevens, who transitioned from coaching to the front office, acknowledged the surprise of his team's position but maintained his longstanding approach of focusing on the present. Entering Tuesday night's home game against the Charlotte Hornets, the Celtics needed just two more wins to secure the No. 2 seed in the East, positioning them as a legitimate threat for the NBA title. This success came despite significant hurdles, including star forward Jayson Tatum's ruptured Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him for much of the season and the offseason exits of key veterans Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford as part of salary management moves.

"I feel the exact same as I did at the beginning," Stevens said. "When we get into the playoffs, it'll be the same thing. It's one game at a time. I don't think in terms of the big picture as far as this individual team. I just think, I know...