The Celtics are still alive for home court, thanks to Sasha Pavlovic. (AP)

If the Celtics do wind up hosting Game 1 of their playoff series with the Hawks, they’ll have enigmatic swingman Sasha Pavlovic to thank. With Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Mickael Pietrus, Kevin Garnett and Greg Stiemsma all sitting out of Tuesday’s game against the Heat, Pavlovic got the start in the backcourt and promptly went scoreless in six minutes of play. In the second half, he made 7-of-8 shots and scored a game-high 16 points in a 78-66 Celtics win that is best left to the dustbin of history.

“Well, someone had to win the game and we did, which was really nice,” was how Doc Rivers summed it up.

It was a game that had some meaning with home court still on the line and was also totally meaningless in that Paul Pierce was the only player of consequence on the floor and he played only 18 minutes. In that it was an appropriate conclusion to a season that has been rushed, hurried and physically taxing.

“It’s not good on your body as an athlete,” guard Keyon Dooling said. “It’s your vehicle to make your money. As a basketball player, recovery is very important. We haven’t had that luxury this year. It’s not just us, it’s everybody. It’s not a normal season.”

As Pierce put it on Monday, “All you can say is you got through it.”

Like many teams, the Celtics decided a week ago that gaining an extra home game simply wasn’t worth it. They may still get it, even after giving forgotten souls like E’Twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson and Ryan Hollins extended looks. If they beat the Bucks on Thursday and the Mavericks beat the Hawks, then Game 1 will be in Boston. If not, they’ll be getting on a plane just like they’ve done basically every other day since December.

“We’re going to play our guys Thursday anyway, especially since they didn’t play today,” Rivers said. “I said that the other day and I thought they were going to play today, so, we’ll see.”

The playoffs promise to be just as unpredictable with health playing a dominant factor. The Hawks are waiting on Al Horford. The Celtics presumably will have Rondo, Pietrus and maybe Allen back in time for the opener.

“I think Ray will be ready,” Rivers said. “I don’t know that. I do think he will be ready, but if he’s not someone else has to be.”

If Allen can play then their rotation is basically set. It’s the five starters plus Allen, Pietrus and Stiemsma. If Pietrus or Allen is limited, Pavlovic has put himself in position to be the ninth man depending on matchups. Dooling, the consummate pro, will be ready when called upon. In other words, Tuesday’s game didn’t change anything in the Celtics world, even with home court still in the balance.