Should the Cs lose Wednesday and take the 3 seed?

[Bankshot]

If Doc doesn't play KG more than 18 minutes against the Magic on Wednesday, then the Celtics most likely will be throwing that game.

[the_Bird]

Who's worried about Detroit?  I'm not really worried about either, but Philly strikes me as potentially at least as difficult a matchup, if only because they're more athletic.  When we were struggling vs. Atlanta last year (which WAS mostly on us), it was because of their athleticism.

Detroit is D-U-N done as presently constructed.

[twistedrico]

I don't really think that there is anyone for the Celtics to fear. They are still the team to beat, regardless of position, home court whatever. If they go out on the court and play their game, they will win.

[celticinorlando]

a message needs to be sent to orlando tomorrow....on their court.

[CoachBo]

I'm never an advocate of losing a game. It accomplishes nothing.

[CelticsWhat35]

Hypothetical negative TP.

[QuinielaBox]

Hypothetical negative TP.

We used to give out negative Tommy Points here. Throwing a game is stupid and immoral. Shame on that poster who said that. We cannot dictate playoff matchups. There are just too many variables. We'll probably get Chicago in the 1st round and they lit us up big time last time we played.

[Lucky17]

The question may have been worded wrong, but it's still legitimate.

Personally, I see no reason to jeopardize the health of Garnett (or any of our other key players) to win in Orlando tomorrow night. If we lose, so be it.

Not playing Detroit in the first round means either Cleveland or Orlando has to. And rumors of the Pistons demise are *greatly* exaggerated. I defy any team to play without 3 all-star caliber players and remain above .500. They will be the toughest team to match up against in the first round, because of their talent, experience, physicality, and depth.

Whoever draws Detroit the first round had better be ready for war.

[the_Bird]

Nope, not worried about Detroit.  They'll fight, but AI is such a bad fit, he doesn't frighten me at all.  Rondo will drive by him all night.  'Sheed needs a new address more desperately than anyone else in the league.  Every game of theirs I have watched, they just look...  worn down I guess is the only way to describe it.

They got themselves cap space by trading Chauncey, but all that means is that they're going to sign a player who's not as good as Chauncey in his place!

[D Dub]

Who's to say we don't get the 3 and Detroit the 7, and they go on to beat the Magic and we face off with them in the 2nd round?

The point is, when you are defending champs you can't be afraid of any team.  That is the one mental edge we should have on every other team in the league.

[Tai]

I'm not scared of the Pistons.

They were good last year too, and we still beat them in 6 despite losing a home game, meaning we beat them in their house TWICE.

I know, I know, that was last year, but just be sure to tell that to everyone that said we couldn't beat the Cavs in their house last year too, please.  (Yes, I know I'm preaching to the choir...)

We'll be fine.

[Lucky17]

Who's to say we don't get the 3 and Detroit the 7, and they go on to beat the Magic and we face off with them in the 2nd round?

The point is, when you are defending champs you can't be afraid of any team.  That is the one mental edge we should have on every other team in the league.

I would expect the playoffs to unfold exactly that way: Detroit would beat Orlando in the 1st, and we would face them in the 2nd round. I would also expect us to beat Detroit in a 7 game series.

My point is not that we should be afraid of Detroit. It's that it's to our advantage that Detroit faces Orlando or Cleveland in the 1st round, because Detroit can win either of those matchups (yes, even against Cleveland).

[Chief]

Without tanking, I'd prefer playing Orlando over Detroit. Rip Hamilton gives Ray Allen major fits.

[crownsy]

Who's to say we don't get the 3 and Detroit the 7, and they go on to beat the Magic and we face off with them in the 2nd round?

The point is, when you are defending champs you can't be afraid of any team.  That is the one mental edge we should have on every other team in the league.

I would expect the playoffs to unfold exactly that way: Detroit would beat Orlando in the 1st, and we would face them in the 2nd round. I would also expect us to beat Detroit in a 7 game series.

My point is not that we should be afraid of Detroit. It's that it's to our advantage that Detroit faces Orlando or Cleveland in the 1st round, because Detroit can win either of those matchups (yes, even against Cleveland).

I dont think detroit without billups has a shot in hell of beating clevland.

orlando they could easily suprise and beat though.

[Roy Hobbs]

1)  If this team is afraid to play a first round opponent, to the point where they tank games to avoid it, they don't deserve to win a championship.

2) Being the #3 seed means that we'd likely have to win three straight playoff series on the road to win the title.  We didn't play well on the road in last year's playoffs.

3) Philly is a better team than Detroit, especially without Brand.  There's at least a realistic shot that Philly will overtake Miami for the #5 seed, meaning that we'd be stuck playing D. Wade in the first round if we ended up at #3.