I'm sorry, but we will be the 2nd seed

[P2]

Chicago's schedule is much more favorable than ours, and if we continue playing like this, then we certainly won't be the #1 seed come playoff time.

I don't care about holding players out just because it is still the regular season. They all say that if it were the playoffs, they would play. BS! If you really care, then you have to open your eyes and realize that we will be the 2nd seed if guys don't come back and start playing. Unless they want to play Miami in the 2nd round, all the "holding out for the playoffs to get them fully healthy" has to stop!

[Bahku]

Good post, and it makes a ton of sense, (and I agree with bringing them back sooner) ... but I still say we have the heart to dig it out and get the first seed in the East. The odds are against it, but that's just when this team surprises.

[P2]

The second option is they all can't come back because the injuries are much more serious than we are told, much like KG in 2009.

[Celtics4ever]

So what, I want to play and beat teams anyways.   The earlier we play MIA in the playoffs the better it will be.   They still have issues and I 'd rather play them before they are worked out.   Trouble is, we have some issues too right now working with the new guys.

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, if 2nd seed is in fact the case, I'm not worried.

We had 4th seed last year, and we all know how that turned out .

[Redz]

apology accepted

[aporel#18]

I'm sure Celtics will end with the first seed. Of course, I hope they'll get it, but it's not just hoping.

These last two games are not what we'll see until the end of the season. Doc has tried to involve the new guys, giving them the minutes and the chance to make decisions. Next game these lessons learned in the last two games will turn into better decisions, and better team play. And then BBD and Delonte will be back.

I think Sasha, Carlos and Troy will not see a lot of playing time when BBD and Delonte are back in game shape, so they have their chance now. The starters will play better, and show some will. It'll mean wins, and when they play Chicago or San Antonio they'll display more effort and sense of urgency.

In case they end with 2nd seed they'll be ok, but they'll be first seed and 2nd best league record behind San Antonio.

[nba is the worst]

I'm sure Celtics will end with the first seed. Of course, I hope they'll get it, but it's not just hoping.

These last two games are not what we'll see until the end of the season. Doc has tried to involve the new guys, giving them the minutes and the chance to make decisions. Next game these lessons learned in the last two games will turn into better decisions, and better team play. And then BBD and Delonte will be back.

I think Sasha, Carlos and Troy will not see a lot of playing time when BBD and Delonte are back in game shape, so they have their chance now. The starters will play better, and show some will. It'll mean wins, and when they play Chicago or San Antonio they'll display more effort and sense of urgency.

In case they end with 2nd seed they'll be ok, but they'll be first seed and 2nd best league record behind San Antonio.

Hard to speculate on the future, but here's a short analysis of potential/probable losses I posted elsewhere before the game last night:

3/10 @ 76ers (1)
3/19 @ Hornets (road B2B) (2)
3/21 @ Knicks (3)
3/28 @ Pacers (road B2B) (4)
3/31 @ Spurs (5)
4/1 @ Hawks (road B2B) (6)
4/7 @ Bulls (7)
4/10 @ Heatles (
4/11 @ Wizards (road B2B) (9)

Celtics are in danger of slipping , clearly...
There are 20 games left, so 11-9 is .550.
Lots of winning teams on the schedule:

Knicks 2X
76ers 2X
Spurs
Bulls
Hawks
Hornets
Grizzlies
Rockets

I'm not saying they WILL go 11-9, but the record in road B2B's speaks for itself...

Got to get people back on the court, or even a 2 seed is at risk, not to mention the possibility of losing HCA to the Lakers in June.

[chambers]

at the end of the day i'm really only worried about getting a better record than LA and san antonion.
We are going to have to play chicago or miami at some point and we are going to have to beat them over 7 games- doesn't really matter what round.

I would be more concerned about staying par with the lakers/spurs at the moment whilst getting everyone healthy. Spurs should drop back to the back soon. ( they already are)
We've still got 1st seed after all the stuff that's happened to us injury wise i'll be happy to just make it to the playoffs with a 100% healthy squad- which is looking very possible.

[Cman]

Chicago's schedule is much more favorable than ours, and if we continue playing like this, then we certainly won't be the #1 seed come playoff time.

I don't care about holding players out just because it is still the regular season. They all say that if it were the playoffs, they would play. BS! If you really care, then you have to open your eyes and realize that we will be the 2nd seed if guys don't come back and start playing. Unless they want to play Miami in the 2nd round, all the "holding out for the playoffs to get them fully healthy" has to stop!

All else equal, I'd rather be 1st seed, of course.
That said, if the tradeoff is between:

(a) rush guys back from injuries to have a better shot at first seed, but risk aggravating those injuries because they're not fully healed, and

(b) carefully bring guys back from injuries while recognizing it might cost the 1st seed, but insuring (as much as possible) that the players will be more fully healed and ready for a playoff run,

I opt for (b) every time.

[droopdog7]

at the end of the day i'm really only worried about getting a better record than LA and san antonion.
We are going to have to play chicago or miami at some point and we are going to have to beat them over 7 games- doesn't really matter what round.

I would be more concerned about staying par with the lakers/spurs at the moment whilst getting everyone healthy. Spurs should drop back to the back soon. ( they already are)
We've still got 1st seed after all the stuff that's happened to us injury wise i'll be happy to just make it to the playoffs with a 100% healthy squad- which is looking very possible.

You are kidding yourself.  Seeding and HCA matter.  And while we may have to play Chi or Mia, in this scenerio, we'd have to play both of them.

[jsingh1699]

so if we were number 1, we'd play orlando second round, and probably chicago in the ecf.

if we ar ethe number 2, we'd play miami second round, and chicago in the ecf.

given the fact that every single one of our players to match up with dwight howard is injured and we have no clear time table on when they are returning, wouldnt we want to play miami second round? they have no bigs really, so we'll do just fine against them. extra rest for our big guys will def help us moving foward in the playoffs against the bulls and lakers.

[Adelaide Celt]

at the end of the day i'm really only worried about getting a better record than LA and san antonio.

As am I. Home court advantage is more important in the Finals than in the first 3 playoff rounds IMO.

[greenpride32]

We effectively have a 2 game lead in the loss column over CHI.  They have 1 more loss than us, and we have an even more comfortable lead in the tiebreaker (conf record).  If we beat them in the our last matchup then the tiebreaker is guaranteed.  I still feel confident we'll hang on to #1 in the east.

What's the point of having a better record than LAL or DAL if you don't make it out of the east?  That's not a given if we don't lock up #1 ECF.  But I think it's very likely if we do secure #1 ECF. 

[Roy H.]

so if we were number 1, we'd play orlando second round, and probably chicago in the ecf.

if we ar ethe number 2, we'd play miami second round, and chicago in the ecf.

given the fact that every single one of our players to match up with dwight howard is injured and we have no clear time table on when they are returning, wouldnt we want to play miami second round? they have no bigs really, so we'll do just fine against them. extra rest for our big guys will def help us moving foward in the playoffs against the bulls and lakers.

No.  Howard can't win a series on his own, and Miami -- despite their slump -- is still a very good team.  They're flawed, but they've also got two top-five players.  Plus, of course, dropping to the #2 seed means that we have to go on the road to Chicago.