If scores hold tonight....a little more bad news...

[soap07]

Right now, the Heat are up early in the 4th against the Rockets. If they win, that means they will be one game behind the C's for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With the way that Miami has been playing, I just do not see the C's holding on to that top seed which, I believe, will be essential come playoff time.

[celticinorlando]

Right now, the Heat are up early in the 4th against the Rockets. If they win, that means they will be one game behind the C's for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With the way that Miami has been playing, I just do not see the C's holding on to that top seed which, I believe, will be essential come playoff time.

honestly..i prefer the 2 seed. that means miami would have to go through the most likely 4 seed in orlando before getting the boston in the eastern conf, finals...plus boston holds a 2-0 head up lead on miami

[soap07]

honestly..i prefer the 2 seed. that means miami would have to go through the most likely 4 seed in orlando before getting the boston in the eastern conf, finals...plus boston holds a 2-0 head up lead on miami

Maybe I'm being dismissive - but I don't see Miami having any trouble with the Magic as currently constituted. I didn't see the Gilbert/JRich trade helping them out in the least. It made them worse defensively and I don't see Gilbert meshing with the rest of the team.

[Roy H.]

honestly..i prefer the 2 seed. that means miami would have to go through the most likely 4 seed in orlando before getting the boston in the eastern conf, finals...plus boston holds a 2-0 head up lead on miami

Maybe I'm being dismissive - but I don't see Miami having any trouble with the Magic as currently constituted. I didn't see the Gilbert/JRich trade helping them out in the least. It made them worse defensively and I don't see Gilbert meshing with the rest of the team.

Yeah, arguably Miami matches up less well with Chicago.  Miami's two biggest weaknesses are interior play and PG.  Chicago's two biggest strengths, arguably, are interior play and PG.  Also, Chicago has very good wing defenders in Deng and Brewer that they can throw at the Heat.

[CelticSooner]

Right now, the Heat are up early in the 4th against the Rockets. If they win, that means they will be one game behind the C's for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With the way that Miami has been playing, I just do not see the C's holding on to that top seed which, I believe, will be essential come playoff time.

honestly..i prefer the 2 seed. that means miami would have to go through the most likely 4 seed in orlando before getting the boston in the eastern conf, finals...plus boston holds a 2-0 head up lead on miami

I don't know. I can easily see Orlando jumping Chicago and finishing 3rd.

[GreenEnvy]

Right now, the Heat are up early in the 4th against the Rockets. If they win, that means they will be one game behind the C's for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With the way that Miami has been playing, I just do not see the C's holding on to that top seed which, I believe, will be essential come playoff time.

They are still down 3 in the loss column.

They are not invincible. They will hit a rough patch sometime soon.

As long as the Celtics pace themselves (AND GET HEALTHY!!) they will stay atop the Eastern Conference.

[Fafnir]

I'd prefer to be in the bracket with Orlando than Chicago.

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, we had 4th seed last year, right? And we all know how that went .

If MIA overtakes us in wins, and we meet in the playoffs, then Boston willl just have to beat MIA (and Lebron) again - in MIA.

Just like we beat CLE (and Lebron) twice - in CLE  in last yrs playoffs.

Thanks for assist, Fafnir - lost track of our seeding from last year.

[Fafnir]

Fourth seed last year.

Anyways I'm optimistic about his injury at this point, if its a short term, week or two games, we'll be fine. Even if he's out a month or two we'll be fine. Only a longer term injury kills our title chances.

[hpantazo]

Fourth seed last year.

Anyways I'm optimistic about his injury at this point, if its a short term, week or two games, we'll be fine. Even if he's out a month or two we'll be fine. Only a longer term injury kills our title chances.

sounds like we'll be fine, and it will be good to give JO some time to either get up to speed or realize that he's cooked.

[celticinorlando]

not really concerned about seeding. concerned we see this team with all their parts

[vinnie]

Right now, the Heat are up early in the 4th against the Rockets. If they win, that means they will be one game behind the C's for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With the way that Miami has been playing, I just do not see the C's holding on to that top seed which, I believe, will be essential come playoff time.

Yes, one behind, but they already have 9 losses versus 6 for the C's. Of course, with the injuries, the C's should get to 9 losses in no time.

Honestly, I don't see ay way, however, that the Celts end up with the number one seed in the east.

[Change]

honestly..i prefer the 2 seed. that means miami would have to go through the most likely 4 seed in orlando before getting the boston in the eastern conf, finals...plus boston holds a 2-0 head up lead on miami

Maybe I'm being dismissive - but I don't see Miami having any trouble with the Magic as currently constituted. I didn't see the Gilbert/JRich trade helping them out in the least. It made them worse defensively and I don't see Gilbert meshing with the rest of the team.

Yeah, arguably Miami matches up less well with Chicago.  Miami's two biggest weaknesses are interior play and PG.  Chicago's two biggest strengths, arguably, are interior play and PG.  Also, Chicago has very good wing defenders in Deng and Brewer that they can throw at the Heat.

You nailed it Roy.

Orlando doesn't have the perimeter defenders to stop Miami. on the other hand, Chicago have 2 elite wing defenders at their disposal to throw at Lebron & Wade. Rose will be a matchup nightmare for the Heat.

[Change]

Right now, the Heat are up early in the 4th against the Rockets. If they win, that means they will be one game behind the C's for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With the way that Miami has been playing, I just do not see the C's holding on to that top seed which, I believe, will be essential come playoff time.

Yes, one behind, but they already have 9 losses versus 6 for the C's. Of course, with the injuries, the C's should get to 9 losses in no time.

Honestly, I don't see any way, however, that the Celts end up with the number one seed in the east.

Why would you say that? You have a time travel machine that goes to the future?

[guava_wrench]

Right now, the Heat are up early in the 4th against the Rockets. If they win, that means they will be one game behind the C's for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With the way that Miami has been playing, I just do not see the C's holding on to that top seed which, I believe, will be essential come playoff time.

honestly..i prefer the 2 seed. that means miami would have to go through the most likely 4 seed in orlando before getting the boston in the eastern conf, finals...plus boston holds a 2-0 head up lead on miami

I don't know. I can easily see Orlando jumping Chicago and finishing 3rd.

Especially with Noah out.

Orlando is dangerous. They can win a 7 game series against anyone with the amount of talent they have. They just would be the underdog against most top teams.

It is easy to imagine 4 games where some of their guys get hot.