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Normally, in the stretch run of an NBA season, the top two ball clubs in a conference meeting to battle it out near the end of the regular season carries more gravity. But with a 10-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics may not be looking at this game with the sort of intensity they usually might.

The Celtics being as competitive as they are, may elect to rest a player or two before the game even starts, valuing rest over rivalry and continuity. But more likely, the stars will play with the plan being to build a big enough lead to rest starters some in the second half. And given Milwaukee comes hard against Boston regardless, it could very well end up a loss for Boston depending on how they manage the game.

But expect a high-energy battle, at least at the start — bigger plans may derail the in-game struggle before the final buzzer, though.