Celtics Surge, Nets Tanking Shake NBA Projections

Merlin sees a March update to win-loss forecasts as the league races to the finish. Forecasting is messy because of "scheduled rest, suspicious injury or minute-management" that looks like tanking. Standouts: Boston jumps after historic shooting nights, Brooklyn is firmly tanking and likely to finish in the teens, and San Antonio’s Wembanyama-led defense could push the Spurs toward an elite record. Merlin notes returns to health for stars and a few surprise rookies will reshape seeding in the final weeks. Small things will decide big outcomes. Expect more lineup tinkering, late-season rest strategies and a few shock wins that upend the math before the playoffs.