Atlantic Division Title and #3 Seed is Back in Play for the Celtics

[mqtcelticsfan]

I think it's definitely in play, but mostly because I don't see the Sixers as all that much better than us. Essentially, the Sixers and Celtics are very similar to me, as they're a great defensive team that lacks a standout offensive threat. Without a premier talent that can light up the scoreboard, teams like these two are in that non-favorite range where they're simply not likely to win a title.

However, for both teams I feel that winning the division is crucial to going far in the playoffs. If the Celtics were to get the 3 seed, they'd be able to have a real shot at winning the first round, and maybe get lucky and only have to play one elite team in the East. If Indiana could get past the Heat or Bulls, and the Celtics held the 3 seed, they could get lucky and only have to make it through one of Chicago or Miami. If that were to happen, it'd still be unlikely that Boston could win a title, but not impossible. In a season like this, it's definitely worth it to try and win some games and hope for some luck.

[GronkSpike]

We are both also 14-8 at home. I'm feeling good about this, we just have to keep riding this winning attitude, take care of Phila head to head and hope for the best in this upcoming road trip.  

[GreenFaith1819]

I'm optimistic, especially after our last four games, but I still want to see BOS take at least half of these slate of road games coming up.

We do this, and that 3 seed is ours. PHI will continue to come back to earth, even though they are a very good team.

Rondo NEEDS to stay plugged in - even vs the lesser PGs and teams. Bring it EVERY night - EVERY game. Not expecting perfection of course, but we NEED this Rondo. Keep these old guys of ours moving.

I'm still not convinced that Danny isn't planning something, though....I just hope that the team can continue to play well enough to perhaps give him pause...

[CelticG1]

I don't watch the Sixers much but I get the sense that they have been overperforming. I do watch the Celtics and completely think they they have not played to potential at all for most of the season.

The Celtics have been facing adversity pretty well the past couple years or so and I think have performed very well under pressure for the most part. The Sixers have a big fat question mark when it comes to that, which is why  i think the celts will be overtaking them by the end of the season

[rasta1]

The sixers have just as tough of a second half as us. The sixers play all tough teams from here on out for the msot part SOS wise

so it wouldn't shock me if we overcame them

to be blunt

i don't expect the knicks, sixers, or pacers to be pulling off any upsets

Best case scenario we get past Indiana or whoever

we take care of either chicago or miami

and hope orlando takes care of the other one

we can beat orlando

[nickagneta]

19 of last 30 games on the road. I just don't see it when attrition will be a factor. The 6th seed should be a more realistic goal.  

Philly has 17 of its last 28 games on the road, including 6 of its final 7 games.

With Hawes continuing to nurse that Achilles injury, I think it's fair to say that both road games and attrition will be as much of a concern for the Sixers.

TP for saving me the time of having to write the exact same thing.

[OhioGreen]

Wow! Guess this is a feel good thread, but we did just win four in a row against .500 or below opponents, three of which we played at home. Barely beat three of them.....and now we're thinking 3rd seed in the East? Wow!

And now Doc is gonna start playing the oldtimers 40 min a game, every game!(exagerated, I know!). But how long do we expect them to last at that rate!  Will they be corpses by the playoffs?

While it's true they have played much better because of their drastically increased minutes lately, let's see how they fare in the next 5 games, four of which are against good teams with winning records, and also some on the road! If they go a good 4-1 or 5-0, then I'll be right there with you guys throwing a playoff party!

[GreenEnvy]

Spencer Hawes ongoing injury problems are hurting Phily.

The drop-off from Hawes to Lavoy Allen is massive. Makes them very small in the paint. Hurts them defensively, on the boards and takes away a skilled offensive five who does a really nice job facilitating their offense.

That is the only reason the division crown is still in play. How healthy Hawes is in the second half of the season will be a major factor in whether Phily or Boston finish top of the division.

Phily are 12-2 with Hawes in the lineup and only 10-14 without him.

Who were those 12 wins with Hawes against? Just putting those records up there makes it look like they are an elite team with him, which I don't believe they are. I think he played against poor teams.



I never doubted the C's could win the division. I knew Philly would come back down to Earth. I could see the Knicks passing Philly too if Hawes doesn't get healthy soon.

[nickagneta]

Wow! Guess this is a feel good thread, but we did just win four in a row against .500 or below opponents, three of which we played at home. Barely beat three of them.....and now we're thinking 3rd seed in the East? Wow!

And now Doc is gonna start playing the oldtimers 40 min a game, every game!(exagerated, I know!). But how long do we expect them to last at that rate!  Will they be corpses by the playoffs?

While it's true they have played much better because of their drastically increased minutes lately, let's see how they fare in the next 5 games, four of which are against good teams with winning records, and also some on the road! If they go a good 4-1 or 5-0, then I'll be right there with you guys throwing a playoff party!

You want to help me out here with your claim of drastically increased minutes of late?

They all played big minutes yesterday but Ray didn't play one of the last three games and only averaged 33 MPG in the other two. Besides yesterday, since the All-Star break, Pierce has averaged 34 MPG a minute below his regular season average. KG has averaged 30.3 MPG or half a minute less than his season  average. And Rondo has averaged 33 MPG or 4 MPG less than his season average.

They played big minutes against a team who won 10 of their previous 13 games, against a team that is a division rival, and against a team who is their nearest large rival fighting for playoff seeding against them with. The game went into overtime and there wasn't a game the day before of after the game.

No big deal about their minutes for one game. Your taking something that isn't isn't a big deal and turning it into something that is even though the evidence points to the contrary.

[cman88]

just get a 6th seed so we can face Orlando or Indiana

and let Miami or The bulls face the Knicks in the first round...that knicks team could potentially pull an upset IMO

[Larry for 3]

talk to me after this road trip, we'll see where we are after that,  then the picture will be more clear

[nickagneta]

talk to me after this road trip, we'll see where we are after that,  then the picture will be more clear

This is very true. In 11 games the Celtics road trip will be over and they will have played 9 of those games on the road. In that same time span Philly plays 10 games split evenly 5 on the road and 5 at home. The two teams go head to head in 2 games in this stretch. Here are the schedules:

Boston
Houston
@ Philadelphia
Portland
@ Lakers
@ Clippers
@ Golden State
@ Sacramento
@ Denver
@ Atlanta
@ Milwaukee
@ Philadelphia

Philly
@ Milwaukee
Boston
Utah
@ New York
@ Indiana
Miami
@ Chicago
@ Charlotte
New York
Boston

I think the key is the first three games. If Boston can win their next three games including the roadie at Philly, then I think there is a good chance that when this stretch of games is over the Celtics will be tied or a game or so behind Philadelphia.

But that first three games is the key because they really can only hope for, at best, a 4-4 road trip, IMO. So 7-4 over that stretch is fairly good if you consider Philly already loses the first game to Boston, will probably split the games versus New York, and has four other games where they look like they can lose because Indy, Miami and Chicago are the three best teams in the East and because Utah is a decent team that is big and tough up front, teams that match up well against Philly.

If Boston wins the next three games and goes 7-4 and Philly is 5-5 or 6-4, I think Boston takes the East. But these next three games are crucial, IMHO.

[Moranis]

Even if Boston wins the Atlantic, I don't think it will catch Indiana for the 3rd seed and end up as the 4th seed.

[hpantazo]

Even if Boston wins the Atlantic, I don't think it will catch Indiana for the 3rd seed and end up as the 4th seed.

wouldn't we automatically get the 3rd seed for winning the division?

[jdz101]

Boston
Houston                    - W (Not sure [Houston bother us with speed & athleticism)
@ Philadelphia         - W
Portland                    - W
@ Lakers                   - L
@ Clippers                - L
@ Golden State        - W
@ Sacramento          - W
@ Denver                  - L
@ Atlanta                  - W
@ Milwaukee            - W
@ Philadelphia         - L

26 - 21 after the trip on current form