So what's the tie breaker...

[droopdog7]

...against the lakers? Not that we have any chance to end of tied with them but really, I still think this is the most important one.

[ejk3489]

Unfortunately the Lakers hold the tiebreaker over the Celtics. They have a better record over the Eastern Conference than we do over the West, so it goes to them.

It's explained here:
http://www.celticstown.com/2011/03/23/lakers-hold-tiebreaker-against-celtics/

[PosImpos]

Yeah, we've pretty much already conceded all of the home court milestones that would matter in the playoffs . . .

The C's will have home court in the first round, possibly the second, and play on the road from there (unless they make it to the Finals and somehow the Thunder or the Mavs do as well).

Hence, the chances of the C's winning #18 this year aren't very good at all.

It hurts to say it, but honestly . . . we learned last year that not having HCA, especially in Finals, hurt.  In the offseason, we added depth and talent to the team in an effort to have a better regular season record and have HCA in the playoffs.  Unfortunately, the C's blew it down the stretch.  As much as we (and our team) would like to think otherwise, the regular season is important.

[jambr380]

Yeah, we've pretty much already conceded all of the home court milestones that would matter in the playoffs . . .

The C's will have home court in the first round, possibly the second, and play on the road from there (unless they make it to the Finals and somehow the Thunder or the Mavs do as well).

Hence, the chances of the C's winning #18 this year aren't very good at all.

It hurts to say it, but honestly . . . we learned last year that not having HCA, especially in Finals, hurt.  In the offseason, we added depth and talent to the team in an effort to have a better regular season record and have HCA in the playoffs.  Unfortunately, the C's blew it down the stretch.  As much as we (and our team) would like to think otherwise, the regular season is important.

Yeah, it's unfortunate, too. They are going to have a considerably better record this year and, really, nothing is going to change as far as home court and advantageous matchups...I still definitely don't blame this on the trade...

[PseudoElite]

I'd be a lot more concerned about the Celtic's recent offensive woes and players coming back from injuries (Shaq and JO especially) before you start worrying about home court advantage.

One step at a time people. C's have obviously blown most of their chances for HCA and it's most likely a done deal, so let's worry about it when the time comes.

[PosImpos]

I'd be a lot more concerned about the Celtic's recent offensive woes and players coming back from injuries (Shaq and JO especially) before you start worrying about home court advantage.

One step at a time people. C's have obviously blown most of their chances for HCA and it's most likely a done deal, so let's worry about it when the time comes.

I worry about it because the primary goal going into this season was always and still is winning a championship.  Anything less than that is a disappointment, doubly so because this year is our last realistic shot at winning with this group.

I'm less concerned about the offensive woes and players coming back because it goes without saying that if those things don't happen we won't even get far enough to worry about winning a championship; we won't get out of the second round, maybe not even the first.  But assuming this team flips the switch again and plays championship level basketball, my main concern is not having HCA. 

This team may be good enough to win a championship, but they might have blown their shot at seriously competing for one before the playoffs have even begun.  That really bothers me, especially because this team should have known better after what happened last year.

[barefacedmonk]

Would we still need the tie breaker if we end up having a better win-loss record than them?

[PosImpos]

Would we still need the tie breaker if we end up having a better win-loss record than them?

No.  It's called a tie-breaker because you use it to break ties.

[barefacedmonk]

Would we still need the tie breaker if we end up having a better win-loss record than them?

No.  It's called a tie-breaker because you use it to break ties.

Duh..What was I thinking? lol.

[barefacedmonk]

Lakers are catching up with the Spurs..and Duncan is out too. I won't be surprised if they end up with the best record in West. They may not need the tie breaker anyway.