NBA standings 2013: Celtics holding on to East's 8th seed

The Boston Celtics have performed way under expectations through the first third of the season, yet if the season were to end today, they would still be in the playoffs as the Eastern Conference's eighth seed. After Friday night's win over the Indiana Pacers, the Celtics are 15-17 and a game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The C's are seven games behind the New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division race, and 7.5 behind the Miami Heat for the best record in the East. Considering Avery Bradley has yet to get back to full health, the panic that the Celtics may actually miss the playoffs appears to be overblown at this juncture.

Out west, the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers continue to lead their respective divisions. The Thunder and Clippers are tied atop the conference, with the Thunder in the lead by percentage points, and the Spurs are a half-game back. If the season ended today, the Blazers and the Nuggets would be the last two teams in the playoffs and the Timberwolves would be on the outside looking in.