Hey everyone it is the start of a new week and the Celtics are still in the hunt. Despite blowing an 11 point 4th quarter lead and missing out on the chance for a 4th straight win, the Celtics are still very much in the thick of the eastern conference playoff race. Here is a quick take on how the other teams are performing, upcoming schedule and a look ahead.
Indiana - I am very worried the Pacers are going to make everyone else on this list compete for 1 playoff spot. They have won 8 of their last 10 with a two point loss to San Antonio and a road game to Oklahoma City as the only blemishes. They also are rumored to get Paul George back in a few weeks. Their next 4 games also include 2 games against the Knicks, the Bulls and Orlando. A 3-1 week would really put them in the drivers seat for getting a playoff birth in advance of George's return.
Miami- They would be in much better shape if they had not lost twice to the pelicans without Davis. Since losing Bosh they have a really mismatched roster. Dragic, Wade (when playing) and Deng form a nice starting team at the 1-3, but their frontcourt really lacks for bodies overall and their bench lacks any depth. They have been relying on Henry "don't you dare call me Billy" Walker for offense. Whiteside is still playing very well, but Birdman and Haslem don't have a ton left in the tank. Haslem may not even be in the league if it wasn't for the Godfather taking care of him when he thought Lebron was sticking around. They have some winnable games this week starting tonight at home versus Phoenix. They then play the Lakers, Sacramento and at the wizards. Would be awesome if they could somehow go 1-3, but I would even be happy with 2-2.
Detroit - They were viewed as being in pretty good shape at the trade deadline after acquiring Reggie Jackson. Fortunately for the Celtics, they have had both a tough schedule and a bad loss in the past week losing to Cleveland, the Knicks d-league affiliate and a really struggling wizards team. 7 of their next 8 games are on the road including a west coast swing that includes the Golden State, Portland, Houston and a New Orleans team playing shockingly well without Davis. This trip could actually bury the Pistons since they are already two games out. Would be great (if you want the Celtics to make the playoffs) to see one less team in the mix.
Brooklyn had a pretty good week at 2-2 on a west coast trip. They lost to Pelicans and Rockets, but had a big win in Dallas yesterday (also beat a stripped down Denver team that is playing lousy). A few weeks ago I would have said they were the team that scared me the least of the other teams jockeying with the Celtics, but they seemed to have figured things out with the addition of Young, a fairly rejuvenated D Will, Lopez playing very off the bench and solid contributions from role players. They are also the team I would least like to see make the playoffs because I don't want them building any positive momentum or having a frisky playoff performance that makes there owner decide to do something crazy to build the roster.
Brooklyn plays Golden State, Charlotte and Phoenix this week. I would be pleased with a 1-2 week.
Charlotte- - The Hornets won for just the second time in their last 8 games yesterday pulling away from the Magic in a game that was pretty close most of the way. Their next 4 games may provide some clarity to the playoff picture. After a game they should win at home against the Lakers, they get fellow playoff contenders Detroit and Brooklyn sandwiched around a game against the Raptors. After waiting most of the season for the team to build off last season's promising campaign, it seems like the Hornets are what they are. They are a good defensive team with an elite post player that is extremely inconsistent. The addition of Stephenson has been a net negative for them. Even though they get Kemba back soon, it seems like they will lose enough games to not run away with a playoff spot.
Boston The win yesterday would have really been sweet. In addition to being a win over one of the best teams in the NBA it would have given the Celtics a 4th straight win and temporarily put them in 8th place and holding a playoff spot for the first time since November or early December. The Celtics have a week that opens with a tough match up and probably loss at Cleveland followed by 3 games that could go either way (Utah, @ New Orleans (No Davis) and at Orlando). A 3-1 week would be amazing and would keep the Celtics in a very good position. 2-2 would definitely be acceptable. Worse than that and the Celtics hopes get a lot more bleak. While doing this I couldn't help but really cringe at the losses to Sacramento and LA. If the Celtics had managed to win those they would have been riding a 6 game winning streak and in 7th place.