Regular Season Games Matter More This Year

[footey]

Last year was enjoyable during the regular season because the team was new, and dominant. Home court advantage throughtout the play-offs was a foregone conclusion pretty early on.

This season already feels like a pennant race, and I like it. Alot.  With 4 teams, 3 from the Eastern Conference, with dominant, nearly identical, records, and especially dominant home records, home court advantage is at stake.  In the East in particular, losing the 1 seed to Cleveland would be a double whammy: We would not only lose home court advantage to them, we would have to go through Orlando to even play them.  I must say, I am not worried about playing Orlando this year in the play-offs. A case could be made that we match up better against them than, say, Atlanta.  However, it would be huge if we could take the 1 seed, and let Orlando do our dirty work against CLeveland. Orlando seems to match up well against the Cavs.  How sweet it would be if Orlando knocked Cleveland off before playing us.

[TerreHaute]

Agreed. It makes some of these head-to-head match-ups with the Lakers and Cavs take on a much added significance.

[I Am A Boston Celtic]

Yeah for sure.

With the Cavs and the Magic stepping up this year, it's made the East the power conference.

I still feel we'll have home court advantage, but the added strength in the East will help push us a little bit more.

[Redz]

It is indeed enjoyable at a different level.  The West has had a hell of a top-to-bottom race the last couple of years, and that appears to be the case again (at least 2-8).  The top spot in the East is going to be a battle, but I think the C's ability to get on streaks like the two 10+ win streaks, and the 3 such ones they had last year, will let them create enough space to hold on to the top slot in the East.

[ScoobyDoo]

I hope the Celts can pull it out. I'm not that worreid about playing the Lakers or Orlando wihtout homecourt advantage but I'd be quite uncomfortable having to play Cleveland without homecourt. They play us well and are mentally very tough as well as physically. Like the other guy said, I think Orlando could possible knock Clevland out because they match up well with them.

Going back to earlier threads, it would have been wise for Ainge ot have stacked our bench a bit more this year because you knew we'd be a target. Instead it was a little weaker ( No Pose and no PJ ) and no legit replacements.

Had our bench been stronger we may have gone 5-4 in out slump or 6-3...which would have given us a 3-4 game cushion right now which would be useful going down the stretch.

This being said, I am hoping Ainge will make a move or two before the trade deadline to rectify that situaiton and fortify the bench ( PJ and Marbury or just even PJ would be enough probably.)

Doing this might help us get that homecourt. 
 

[wdleehi]

I disagree.


While it will be easier for the Celtics to repeat from the number 1 spot, I believe if healthy, they can win from just about any spot.

[RAcker]

I disagree.


While it will be easier for the Celtics to repeat from the number 1 spot, I believe if healthy, they can win from just about any spot.

Agree completely.  In fact, it might even be that much sweeter to not have home court as a crutch and win # 18 anyway.