Settling for the #4 Seed (As of 4/14)

[fairweatherfan]

Also important, here are the remaining schedules for our likely first-round opponents.  They're currently tied, with Milwaukee holding the tiebreaker:

MIL: @PHL, BOS, ATL, @BOS
MIA: DET, @NY, @PHL, NJ

Miami with the easier schedule by far.  Notably, for Milwaukee to stay in 5th they'll probably need to beat us at least once and maybe twice, which makes it more likely we'll be in 4th and facing them.

I hope we do (EDIT: play the Bucks, not finish in 4th - I want the 3), the last two seasons we've gotten the team I LEAST wanted to play in the 1st round.  Hopefully at least this can break our way this year.

[Donoghus]

BTW, I'm headed to Detroit in the morning for, hopefully, the entire weekend. (Frozen Four).

If someone could keep this updated, it would be greatly appreciated and repayment will come in a very generous payment of TPs.

[Donoghus]

Thanks to fairweatherfan who just volunteered to help keep this thread updated.  Show him some TP love. 

[ACF]

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=14510.msg725291;topicseen#new

 

[PosImpos]

Alright, here we go.  Both BOS & ATL are 49-29 with 4 games remaining and our beloved Celtics holding the all-important tiebreaker.

Here's the remaining schedules.

BOS- WSH, @MIL, @CHI, MIL

ATL- TOR, @WSH, @MIL, CLE

Thoughts, predictions?

Bos:
Wash - Win
Mil - Win
Chi - Loss
Mil - Win

Atl:

Tor - Win
Wash - Win
Mil - Win
Cle - Win

I would say that the Hawks would beat Cleveland except for the fact that it's the last game of the season and none of the Cavs starters will be playing.  The other ones should all be easy for the Hawks except for maybe the Bucks.

The Celtics will find a way to lose at least one of their remaining games.  The Chicago game is especially dangerous because that team might still be fighting in a last ditch effort to make the playoffs.

I don't think it really makes a big difference whether the C's get the 3 or the 4 seed, though.  Whether they face Cleveland or Orlando, I doubt they last more than 6 games in the second round.

[Drucci]

Our schedule is tougher than you might think it is, in my opinion, because we are playing 3 games where the opponent is fighting for the playoffs. Well, Milwaukee has clinched its spot but they want to improve their seeding so they will be motivated. And Chicago is basically fighting for their life so...

If we play them as relaxed and unmotivated as we played the Knicks and the Raptors I don't think we will end up with the 3rd seed over Atlanta.

However, Atlanta has bigger concerns with JJ's health. He has missed the last 2 games (both lost by the Hawks), is he expected to return soon or not?

And I think the Cleveland game is a gimme because Brown will probably rest his starters and play the scrubs like he did last year.

[P2]

Now that will be a close one.

[celticinorlando]

Cs win out...hawks lose to the cavs

[jdpapa3]

Cs win out...hawks lose to the cavs

I'd just be very worried about the Danny Green/Joe Johnson and Leon Powe/Josh Smith matchups. 

[droopdog7]

Our schedule is tougher than you might think it is, in my opinion, because we are playing 3 games where the opponent is fighting for the playoffs. Well, Milwaukee has clinched its spot but they want to improve their seeding so they will be motivated. And Chicago is basically fighting for their life so...

If we play them as relaxed and unmotivated as we played the Knicks and the Raptors I don't think we will end up with the 3rd seed over Atlanta.

However, Atlanta has bigger concerns with JJ's health. He has missed the last 2 games (both lost by the Hawks), is he expected to return soon or not?

And I think the Cleveland game is a gimme because Brown will probably rest his starters and play the scrubs like he did last year.

Of course, Atl will be playing Tor who is equally fighting for their life.  The schedules look about the same, with the wild card being the Cle game.  I think if we go 3-1 we will get the 3rd seed because I don't think that Atl will win out.

[CelticSooner]

Both teams finish 2-2, Celtics earn the 3rd seed

This is the way I see it going down. C's lose @ Bucks and @ Bulls.

[fairweatherfan]

4/9

Today's Standings

3. Boston 49-29
4. Atlanta 49-29
5. Milwaukee 44-34
6. Miami 44-34

Today's Games

Mil @ Phl, 7:00
Was @ Bos, 7:30
Tor @ Atl, 7:30
Det @ Mia, 7:30

So, if you're rooting for the 3 seed and a matchup with Milwaukee, you should support Boston, Toronto, Miami, and Philly.  If you want the 3 seed and Miami, it's Boston, Toronto, Detroit, and Milwaukee.

If you want the 4 seed, you want the Celtics to lose...so you can figure that out on your own 

[jdpapa3]

Shutting down the starters can be a win/win. Starters would get rest and if we lost to Milwaukee twice it would basically ensure that we saw them in the first round.

[fairweatherfan]

4/10

Today's Standings

3. Atlanta 50-29
4. Boston 49-30
5. Milwaukee 45-34
6. Miami 44-35

Today's Games

Atl @ Was, 7:00
Bos @ Mil, 8:30

[Redz]

"fight" might not be the right word