Who will give us our first loss?

[DerrenMatts]

As much as I'd like to go undefeated this season, its highly unlikely we will (though an outside shot at going 41-0 at home is remotely possible with this team).

Up next on our schedule are (next 10 games):

-@ PHI (11/3)
-@ MIN (11/4)
-vs. PHO (11/6)
-@ NJ (11/7)
-vs. UT (11/11)
-vs. ATL (11/13)
-@ IND (11/14)
-vs. GS (11/18)
-vs. ORL (11/20)
-@ NY (11/22)

If we beat the teams we should, there are 3 teams who might do it.  Right now, Phoenix is also undefeated (3-0), so they have a shot.  A couple of games later, the Jazz will give it a try, but they tend to struggle away from home.  After that the Magic come to town, but we have KG this time so it'll be different.

I don't know--the way we're playing right now, we may get past the next 10 games untouched. 

[Atzar]

I don't see Phoenix, Utah, Atlanta or Orlando as a problem - not at home.  Orlando, especially, will probably get a dose of the angry prove-my-point-over-your-body Celtics.

I see Indiana as the first possible stumbling block.  They've given us problems in the past, they're the second game of a back-to-back and they're coming right after a competitive game against ATL.  Granger might have to score 40 to do it, but their shooting bigs have given us trouble before so I could see them upsetting us again.

Other than that (and even that's a big reach), I don't really fear any of those games.

[jackson_34]

We will go undefeated! that's what you got to say. No use pointing out where we could slip up...

You don't want to jinx us now, do you?

[PosImpos]

Philadelphia could do it maybe, I guess.  It's a road game and their athleticism could give us trouble if they're having a great night and we're having a bad one. 

It's really hard to say, though.  We should be favored in all of those games.  Orlando is definitely the best team of that bunch.  As others have said we'll just have to wait and see.  I think we'll have a great record this season, but we're gonna lose soon enough, and to be honest it might be better if it were sooner or later.  I don't want our team getting caught up in worrying about runs and what not. 

A tough loss here and there (but not often at all) could keep the team grounded and focused on improving.  I just keep reminding myself we started 27-2 last year, so it doesn't matter how good our start is this year, it's the ending that counts.

[jdpapa3]

May be cliche, but the first team to beat us will be the Boston Celtics...we will only get beat by one of those 10 teams if the players get bored or sleepwalk for a game.

[j804]

I dont like this thread.

*closes browser*

[Harris34]

PHX, NY, and GS are all capable of going nuts in a game and stealing one. Orlando is also a real beast of a team now with a healthy Wince Carter (although they are easier to defend with Wince than Turk).

With that said, I go into every game with the idea that the C's are unbeatable, and I pretty much maintain that attitude until they're down 20 in the last 6 minutes of the 4th quarter.

[DerrenMatts]

As you guys can see from the opening post, I try to be both an optimist and a realist.

I certainly am not looking forward to our first loss, but at the same time, no team will ever go 82-0.

What the intent of this post is to do is get a feel for which team we collectively feel will give us our first loss--whenever that day comes.

[MaxwellSmart86]

May be cliche, but the first team to beat us will be the Boston Celtics...we will only get beat by one of those 10 teams if the players get bored or sleepwalk for a game.

Yes, if we play like we did tonight--our first loss will come this week.

[DerrenMatts]

May be cliche, but the first team to beat us will be the Boston Celtics...we will only get beat by one of those 10 teams if the players get bored or sleepwalk for a game.

Yes, if we play like we did tonight--our first loss will come this week.

What killed us was their three point shooting.  They were 13-28 (46%).  I'm thinking we're going to focus on this area in practice.

[MaxwellSmart86]

May be cliche, but the first team to beat us will be the Boston Celtics...we will only get beat by one of those 10 teams if the players get bored or sleepwalk for a game.

Yes, if we play like we did tonight--our first loss will come this week.

What killed us was their three point shooting.  They were 13-28 (46%).  I'm thinking we're going to focus on this area in practice.

Really, what killed us was WALKING the ball up the court all 2nd half---C's were NOT aggressive, until it looked like we might actually lose---then, Pierce took over.

[Who]

Utah and Orlando look like tough games.

[Bahku]

I think it may be one of those teams we expect to crush, who get us on our heels on a bad day ... I'm thinking Atlanta. (I know, go figure ... it will be one of those cases of the Celtics beating themselves).

[Chris]

@ Indiana worries me a little.  They are a well coached team, with some good players, that could get hot and beat anyone. 

[Fafnir]

Utah, Atlanta, and Orlando are the most likely canidates in my eyes.

Still in the NBA you'll lose to some bad teams along the way, hard to predict those losses.