Second Seed might be better for us..

[raynman]

With only a few games remaining for the regular season, and with injuries still bugging us, It's highly unlikely we'd get the 1st seed in the East. Chicago is really determined to retain the top seed and they might even overtake SA for 1st overall. So it seems we'd end up number 2 or 3, and will probably just enjoy home court advantage til the 2nd round. And though some fans think this can be a big blow to our banner 18 hopes, I think it can be beneficial for the celtics. Match-up-wise, that is. Because if we are #1, we most likely face the Magic in the second round. And with the instability concerning our frontcourt, Dwight Howard will have a field day. In the east, I think Orlando will be hardest for us not just because of Dwight, but because the team is the most seasoned/experienced among the top teams. Chicago and the Heat might be very talented but they have not been tested in the playoffs. So we might be better off facing the Heat and the Bulls on our way to the finals... unless Eddy Curry suddenly turns out a beast!

[Tai]

Er, Howard's their only big. I bet even JO could handle him if need be, but Shaq would probably be good to go by then, if he ever will be.

I mean, at least with Howard, it's contain him, everyone else probably folds. The Heat do still have 3 guys that need to be contained and will get calls in any arena. That may not pose as that much harder than Howard, but I wouldn't feel as scared of Howard considering the bigs we have and the fact that they'd probably be healthy (or more stable) by the 2nd round.

Keep in mind that doesn't include the fact that as the #1 seed, we'd probably get to face the Pacers, who we quite honestly would have a chance to sweep. Either way, that may not be considered such a taxing series as people think it will be for the Sixers or Knicks.

[CelticSooner]

TP on the post. I've been thinking about this myself. C's know how to handle the Magic. Let Howard do his thing and shut down their shooters. Howard wins that matchup inside more now that Perk is gone though. He might force a double team which you do not want.

I think avoiding having to play both the Heat and Bulls would cancel this out though. I would much rather play Indiana in the first round as well.

edit: haha tai pretty much beat me to it

[dtrader]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Orlando swept in the second round.  Their team hasn't been any good since the VC/Lewis/Arenas/Turk trades.  Yes, there's going to be some nights when D12 dominates or Jrich gets hot, but I doubt either will happen often enough to make it far. They were a lot better earlier in the year.