"Must-win Game"

[PosImpos]

I heard this Thursday night against the Bulls, and I'm hearing it now against the Heat:

This was a must-win game for the other team, but not so for the Celtics, and the game is playing out that way.

I can't begin to describe how frustrating it is to hear that.  It's true - at least the "playing out that way" part.  The Celtics played both of these games as if they didn't really need to win, and the other team played like they did.  As a result, the Celtics got utterly embarrassed.

What's so frustrating is that these WERE must-win games for the Celtics.  Home court advantage is SO important for the playoffs. On top of that, this team desperately needs to come together and find an identity before the playoffs begin.  They need to find that swagger again, that sense of invincibility.  Other teams need to fear them, and they need to feel feared.  The Celtics NEEDED a statement win to end this season.  Instead, they were the victim of two statement losses at the hands of probable playoff opponents.

If the Celtics really went into these games feeling as though they didn't need to win, they are fools, and they deserve to get their butts knocked right out of the post-season faster than they can catch their breath.  If they really tried their hardest to win these games like they ought to have, then they are in an even worse state than anybody thought.

[Mike-Dub]

This game was about the closest thing to a must-win, but there really are just about no must win games in the NBA season.

Must win games start Saturday.

[Who]

It was not a "must-win game" for any of the three teams involved.

Games right before the playoffs begin carry very little meaning for teams who have already locked up their spot in the playoff.

[celticinorlando]

this team is all bark and no bite...all talk

[PseudoElite]

If what we saw against the Heat is what they are going to bring in the playoffs, we might as well count them out from now and save ourselves the heartache.

[PosImpos]

It was not a "must-win game" for any of the three teams involved.

Games right before the playoffs begin carry very little meaning for teams who have already locked up their spot in the playoff.

These two games may not have been "must-wins" in a literal sense, but they were the closest thing to it in the regular season. 

I think it was vital that they at least show that they can compete with these two other teams on the road.  Instead, they practically got laughed off the court.  Pathetic.  Utterly pathetic.

[celticinorlando]

all these last 2 games are are torch passing games. boston is way behind the bulls and heat now...Cs and magic passing it on to the bulls and heat..i for one will be cheering for the bulls once boston loses in round one

[Who]

It was not a "must-win game" for any of the three teams involved.

Games right before the playoffs begin carry very little meaning for teams who have already locked up their spot in the playoff.

These two games may not have been "must-wins" in a literal sense, but they were the closest thing to it in the regular season. 

I think it was vital that they at least show that they can compete with these two other teams on the road.  Instead, they practically got laughed off the court.  Pathetic.  Utterly pathetic.

I don't think so.

These teams know who each other are and what they are capable of ... and if they have forgotten, they'll get a swift reminder once the playoff series begins.

Games like this at this point in the season are not important.

[celticinorlando]

It was not a "must-win game" for any of the three teams involved.

Games right before the playoffs begin carry very little meaning for teams who have already locked up their spot in the playoff.

These two games may not have been "must-wins" in a literal sense, but they were the closest thing to it in the regular season. 

I think it was vital that they at least show that they can compete with these two other teams on the road.  Instead, they practically got laughed off the court.  Pathetic.  Utterly pathetic.

I don't think so.

These teams know who each other are and what they are capable of ... and if they have forgotten, they'll get a swift reminder once the playoff series begins.

Games like this at this point in the season are not important.

i would love to agree with you but I think they will continue spiraling down the hole in the playoffs

[TheTruthFot18]

all these last 2 games are are torch passing games. boston is way behind the bulls and heat now...Cs and magic passing it on to the bulls and heat..i for one will be cheering for the bulls once boston loses in round one

How would they lose in round one? Really?

Painful game to watch. Similar to the Bulls game: we come out sharp for about 5 mins then blah. Rondo was not a factor at all, which is key to beating the Heat, too many turnovers, and just sloppy play. Missed layups? SMH

Ray was getting some good looks, Peirce and KG were the only real offense. Unlike the Bulls game, I thought the C's would be more prepared considering what is on the line. Fail again.

Although I don't think the switch will be here this year, I am confident that come playoff time, especially 2nd and 3rd round, they will win a 7 game series. Having guys like the big three is better then any other playoff teams top 3. Plus Rondo always turns it on in the playoffs (fingers and toes crossed) 

[celticinorlando]

all these last 2 games are are torch passing games. boston is way behind the bulls and heat now...Cs and magic passing it on to the bulls and heat..i for one will be cheering for the bulls once boston loses in round one

How would they lose in round one? Really?

Painful game to watch. Similar to the Bulls game: we come out sharp for about 5 mins then blah. Rondo was not a factor at all, which is key to beating the Heat, too many turnovers, and just sloppy play. Missed layups? SMH

Ray was getting some good looks, Peirce and KG were the only real offense. Unlike the Bulls game, I thought the C's would be more prepared considering what is on the line. Fail again.

Although I don't think the switch will be here this year, I am confident that come playoff time, especially 2nd and 3rd round, they will win a 7 game series. Having guys like the big three is better then any other playoff teams top 3. Plus Rondo always turns it on in the playoffs (fingers and toes crossed) 

well 1. they are bad right now. they hardly beat the wiz the other night and the wiz were missing 5 players
2. the knicks have plenty of firepower to beat boston
3. this team can't score anymore and the defense is trash

so there are a lot of reasons why they might die soon