Will the C's play for seeding or coast into playoffs?

[CelticSooner]

don't really care about east coast seeding...i think the having a better record than the lakers is a must...but then the west sucks so bad that might be tough

I disagree. Winning a potential game 7 in either Orlando or Miami isn't something that will come easy this season. Homecourt is a big deal this season IMO. Hopefully injuries do not mount up.

[pearljammer10]

I think they'll be coasting again. The Celts were a better road team then home team last year.

[Prof. Clutch]

My hope and guess is that Celts will end up with the second best record in the East.

[thirstyboots18]

I have predicted 60 wins.  The starters will play hard against the top competition, and the bench should be able to handle second tier opponents, giving the starters limited minutes.  I hope there are no injuries, but I feel with the bench we have this year, we should be able to handle short stretches of healing for the starters and still win home court advantage.  The Heat still has to prove that they can take home court away from us.

[GreenEnvy]

My hope and guess is that Celts will end up with the second best record in the East.

Why would you hope that the Celtics finish with the second-best record?

[kenmaine]

Depends on health / injuries.

If it's there for the taking, they'll play for it. If not, they'll do like they did last season and concentrate on entering the playoffs in the best possible condition rather than best possible seed.

They'll start the season looking for home court advantage and they'll continue to work towards that until (if) it is no longer a possibility (injuries?). So they'll only change plans mid-season if that goal is out of reach and instead concentrate on getting healthy / in form rather than primary W-L.

What he said.  These guys are hungry.

[greenpride32]

don't really care about east coast seeding...i think the having a better record than the lakers is a must...but then the west sucks so bad that might be tough

I disagree. Winning a potential game 7 in either Orlando or Miami isn't something that will come easy this season. Homecourt is a big deal this season IMO. Hopefully injuries do not mount up.

Good point.  Look at last season; we avoided a game 7 in CLE (series WIN).  We avoided a game 7 in ORL (series WIN).  Due the different Finals format we had to play 6 and 7 at LAL ( )

[Jon]

I think because of the depth, they should be able to play with more intensity without getting worn down.  So I think we'll see a little less coasting.  However, at the same time, I don't see Doc playing the starters extra minutes to eek out a win and I think we'll see Danny and Doc handle even the slightest injuries with the most extreme caution.  So even if there's no significant injuries, I wouldn't be surprised to see many of our guys miss a few game here and a few there, even if it's just for very minor things. 

They'll take no chances on this team not being 100% come playoff time. 

[barefacedmonk]

I think we are really going to try and win as many games as we can...but if the injury bug hits us (knock on wood)...then we could see them coast until the playoffs.

[Prof. Clutch]

My hope and guess is that Celts will end up with the second best record in the East.

Why would you hope that the Celtics finish with the second-best record?

Pending injuries I certainly have my doubts the second seed is attainable for the C's.  Just trying to keep my expectations within reason, and the 1st seed is shooting awfully high.

If they end up with the best record I'll be psyched, but I can picture the Celtics fitting snuggly into that second seed.

[bballdog384]

I think they'll be coasting again. The Celts were a better road team then home team last year.

Agreed. The C's don't care about their record as long as they win the Atlantic.

[dpaps]

I think one of the biggest benefits of having such a deep bench is that we can rest KG, Pierce, Ray, Shaq, and JO while still winning games. You can pretty much sit any two of them on any given night and we still have a real good chance of winning.

We may not win 70 (or 60), but we might...

[EJPLAYA]

They will coast, however I think due to added depth they will actually end up with a better record and be in contention for home court. I think we understimate how much Delonte and a more comfortable Nate are going to do for us out there. When Ray is in a slump Delonte is going to be able to step right in and keep us playing at a high level. Look for our second unit to extend leads which will allow us to have the best of both worlds. Coasting yet still winning.

[biggs]

To me, this is about the youth we have on the bench.  Last year when the injuries started rolling in, we had some close losses, and to me, that's because the bench couldn't secure the win for them.  Ever since the big three were assembled, we have struggled with younger teams; ATL,PHI, and more recently MEM, etc., however, with the addition of some "young legs" in wafer, west, hopefully healthy Marquis, and Nate to run,run, run, I think that we will have a much better record because our bench can run and match the up tempo style that young teams have used against us in the past.

"Having said that", (Larry David) I think they will go for home court adv. this year.