How will the Celtics do in the first 8 games back.

[cgange20]

Hey everyone, I was wondering how you feel the Celtics will perform in the 8 games to be played before the playoffs start. I personally feel they will do well with the games. The first one of the 8 of course will be tough with the Bucks. I think they could definitely win that game. But, the rest of the games are even more winnable for this team.

I could see them 6-2 or 7-1 in this stretch. At the end of the day, as long as they do not do so bad where they lose the three seed, I am good. I definitely expect to see some rust, but that is understood.

I really want to see how they play in these games, seeing how they come back and perform. I do not envision too many guys being that rusty.

[Somebody]

I don't think we can definitively say how the Celtics will perform when the NBA returns - there are too many variables affecting a team's level of play after a 3-4 month layoff. But I do expect us to be competitive against any team as long as our lads put in the work before the league restarts.

[Moranis]

Obviously so many variables to really know, but Boston is a team that I think would be set up pretty well to finish an abbreviated season because they have a lot of scoring options and generally play solid defense.  So they aren't super reliant on any one person on any given night and defense is usually one of those things where you don't need a lot of play to get it back.  I have some extra concerns about Smart though.  Who knows how someone that has had covid will play.  Are there long term effects? Did he get pushed way behind everyone else in conditioning? Etc. 

[hpantazo]

I'm mentally going to prepare for them to start off poorly, and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised. So many variables from this layoff, its really hard to predict. But the Celtics under Stevens always have a history of starting off seasons slowly, and ramping up late in the season. I view it as a new mini-season.

[cgange20]

that is a good point about smart. Hopefully he is all good

[hpantazo]

Obviously so many variables to really know, but Boston is a team that I think would be set up pretty well to finish an abbreviated season because they have a lot of scoring options and generally play solid defense.  So they aren't super reliant on any one person on any given night and defense is usually one of those things where you don't need a lot of play to get it back.  I have some extra concerns about Smart though.  Who knows how someone that has had covid will play.  Are there long term effects? Did he get pushed way behind everyone else in conditioning? Etc.

Smart was asymptomatic reportedly, and all reports about him say he was fine and fully recovered. I don't think there is any reason to be concerned about him. Most people with covid-19 will be fine, especially his age. Same with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, no reports of severe symptoms for any of them.

Sure, you can find horror stories about a very small percentage of young adults who end up with lung scarring from this, thats why its scary. But that would have been obvious by now. Even just monitoring blood oxygen levels with the reader you put on your finger that anyone can buy at home will give you a good idea of whether you should be concerned about lung damage. I have one that I use everyday just as a precaution. I'm sure Smart has been monitored very well by the Celtics medical staff.

I also imagine he's not the only Celtic to have tested positive by now. 

[SHAQATTACK]

0
8

[hpantazo]

0
8

[dang]! That bad?


I'm going with 4-4

[footey]

6
2

[Silas]

I'm mentally going to prepare for them to start off poorly, and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised. So many variables from this layoff, its really hard to predict. But the Celtics under Stevens always have a history of starting off seasons slowly, and ramping up late in the season. I view it as a new mini-season.

Except 2017/18 when they started the season 22-4!

6-2 would prepare them for the playoffs.

[nickagneta]

6-2 easy. Only teams I see a loss to are the Bucks and Raptors and even then, I could see wins.

[hwangjini_1]

0
8

you mixed up the ordering of numbers there. 

[Phantom255x]

I'm thinking 6-2. Guessing the seeding won't change though. Probably stay the 3 seed unless Toronto has an abysmal 8 games.

[SparzWizard]

Will Tatum drop 41 in his first game back?

[SHAQATTACK]

0
8

you mixed up the ordering of numbers there. 

first sign of covid