If it was April, Pierce and KG wouldn't be missing any time. This is a case of Ainge being super conservative, and I don't blame him. While I would love to see them win 65+ games and get the #1 seed, that ultimately means nothing if KG and Pierce aren't healthy.
Even if they lose a bunch of games during this stretch, it really doesn't matter. As long at they're a top 3 seed come April, I'm happy.
TP.
Hard to read lots of the doom and gloom over one game, or even stretches of games, especially from Celtic fans in the land of Mickey Mouse (ahem...).
All I can remember both last year, and before this year, is what good did 62 wins do the C's last year, as well as homecourt, as they got bounced on their own floor, at less than full strength, in Game 7. The new refrain was, win 55+ get a top 4 seed, but most importantly, be healthy and at full strength for the playoff run.
Well, here we are, very early, similar to the 27-2 run to start last year, and some unfortunate injuries have cropped up. Of course, its impossible to know what the future holds, or what else might happen, but with what we do know, all the current injuries are not season ending, with all those players projected to be back at some point. Yet, there still seems to be much carping about bad karma, the team is showing its age, we have ZERO chance against Orlando, etc.
The Celts may have lost the Orlando game anyway, in the big picture, irrelevant. If they win 55-60, instead of 60-65, again, not a big loss if this juggernaut has all its pieces back healthy and ready. We have seen the mental toughness this team has on the road this year, so having to take 1, just 1 game on another team's court to nullify home court advantage, doesn't seem like a huge hurdle. In fact, maybe this stretch will help some others to step forward, like TA, or Walker, and even form some toughness having to play without the Captain. I am sure there will be some losses as casualties, but I thought everyone agreed, the max # of wins was not really the goal anyway.
In a strange way, I am looking forward to the Christmas game, to see if any of these subplots begin developing. They might get blown out, but it is a tough road game and they might have anyway. What if they somehow win? (although we have been told they have ZERO chance, which if true, they should cancel the game). That would be some sweet victory. They face a no-lose situation on Christmas, and the goal of being full strength for the playoffs is still well within reach.