CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Isaiah Thomas actually has a chance to win the league’s free throw percentage title, as he finished Saturday’s win over the Hornets shooting 90.9 percent from the line (580 for 638) while Portland’s C.J. McCollum is the leader at 91.15 percent (268 for 294).
Not only did Thomas say he was unaware that he was a contender for the free throw title, he is rather unconcerned with records.
On March 29, he became just the sixth Celtic to score 2,000 points in a season. He is also the franchise leader for 3-pointers in a season (236 and counting) and will likely finish second all-time in club scoring average. He entered Saturday averaging 29.1 points per game, second to Larry Bird (29.9 in 1987-88).
“I didn’t know that until you just said it,’’ Thomas said of the free throw title. “That’s not a goal of mine. It would be cool to be the best free throw shooter, but it’s definitely not a goal of mine. There’s so many records, not that I broke, but in Celtics’ history, I don’t know until [the media] says something.’’
Thomas could have moved closer to McCollum but he missed one of his eight free throws in Saturday’s 121-114 win.
Sick call
Once again sickness has hit the Celtics as center Amir Johnson and reserve swingman James Young had to miss Saturday’s game. Since the Celtics team hotel was sold out, the sick players had to spend the game in the locker room.
Coach Brad Stevens opted for Kelly Olynyk, who made his sixth start of the season and first since Nov. 18. Olynyk finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double in nearly a year.
Meanwhile, Jae Crowder said he was good enough to play despite considerable pain in his left elbow. However, he also added he wouldn’t mind a couple of days off to rest.
Stevens made it clear the Celtics intend to push forward in their quest for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
“We haven’t talked about that stuff,’’ Stevens said of Crowder’s injury. “Obviously if his elbow is giving him problems, then we won’t risk anything. But if it’s something where guys are able to play, then we’re going to play. I want to build off the second half [against Atlanta].’’
Crowder played 33 minutes, scoring 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and adding nine rebounds.
Bouncing ball
The Celtics received two doses of good news Friday.
One, the Cleveland Cavaliers were stunned at home by the Atlanta Hawks, who rested all their starters, giving the Celtics life in their quest for the No. 1 seed. Boston went into Saturday trailing Cleveland by one game with three to play, with the Cavaliers owning the tiebreaker.
Yet, Cleveland has a difficult remaining schedule — at Atlanta on Sunday, at Miami on Monday, and home against Toronto on Wednesday — and almost certainly will rest its veteran players for one of those games.
The Celtics finish with home games against Brooklyn on Monday and Milwaukee on Wednesday.
“You obviously want the best seed that you can get,’’ Stevens said. “And you want to play the next game well; you want to win the next game. We’ve had two tough ones in a row and our focus is on playing well [Saturday]. Seeding will shake itself out.’’
Also Friday, the Nets earned the league’s worst record by virtue of the Suns’ win over the visiting Thunder. Since the Celtics own the right to swap picks with the Nets, they have the best chance to earn the No. 1 pick in the June draft.
The Celtics have a 25 percent chance to nab the top pick, a 21.5 percent chance for the second pick, 17.7 for third, and 35.8 percent for the fourth pick. The Suns, currently second, would have a 19.9 percent chance at the top pick, while the Lakers (third) would have a 15.6 percent chance.
All 14 teams in the draft lottery have a chance for the No. 1 pick all the way from the Celtics (25 percent) to the final team (0.5 percent). The lottery will be held May 16 in New York.
Nice to see you
Tyler Zeller returned to the team Saturday after missing the past two games because of the birth of his first child, a son. He played nine minutes and scored 2 points with two rebounds and two assists. The Celtics could have used Zeller’s size in the Thursday loss to the Hawks, who dominated the boards. But the big man appeared refreshed after the experience.
Zeller’s brother is Charlotte center Cody Zeller, and the two saw each other Friday evening.
“It’s fun to be able to get down here,’’ Tyler said. “It’s always fun to see him and my parents were down here.’’
It’s the second time 24-year-old Cody is an uncle (older brother Luke has a child) and it’s something that has him rather perplexed.
“He actually joked, ‘I can’t even get a girlfriend,’ ’’ Tyler said of his brother.
Clifford tossed
Charlotte coach Steve Clifford was ejected after receiving two technical fouls in a 2-minute, 11-second span of the second quarter. With Patrick Ewing headed for Georgetown, Stephen Silas coached the remainder of the game. Ewing was on the bench, but it appeared to be his last game, with Charlotte eliminated from playoff contention. He was saying goodbye to arena employees as he left Spectrum Center . . . Sharpshooter Marco Belinelli (left index finger) did not play Saturday. Former UConn swingman Jeremy Lamb soaked up Belinelli’s minutes and scored 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting . . . With two 3-pointers, Kemba Walker needs just four in the final two games to break the franchise record set by Jason Richardson (243) in 2007-08.
. . . The Celtics conducted a shootaround for a 6 p.m. start, a rarity in the NBA. “We want to maximize every time we get a chance to be together,’’ Stevens said. “And we had Friday off.’’
Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.
