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

[Q_FBE]

Atlantic W L PCT GB
Philadelphia 22 16 .579 ---
Boston 19 17 .528 2
New York 18 19 .486 3 1/2
Toronto 12 25 .324 9 1/2
New Jersey 12 26 .316 10
 
Those are the divisional standings and we have four games to play against Philly who have struggled against the winning teams. Yesterday's victory was a monster win for the Celtics as it kept then ahead of the Knicks. I would think twice about blowing up this team further. I would like to see if a reliable big man like Chris Kaman is availble. We need Rondo despite not being a good fit for this slow team. He fits in better with Greyhounds I think. He and Chris Wilcox seem to have a good thing going. He was outstanding yesterday and if he made those 7 layups we would be talking all time Celtic great. Still I take Rondo over Deron Williams but not over Chris Paul (might Danny be thinking Sign and Trade here with the Clips this summer)? 

[nickagneta]

A lot of posters thought I was out of my mind when I said I expected this team to win the Atlantic title a month ago or more ago.

All I heard is that the Celtics would never be able to play well enough to catch the Sixers and that the Sixers were the real thing and would never fall back.


Except now Philly has fallen back and has to play, like the Celtics, the toughest part of their schedule. There SOS to start the season was ridiculously easy. They have struggled recently because they finally started playing some good teams.

Boston is one game out in the loss column. I say they win the Atlantic like I have been saying all season.

[Lucky17]

I've been right behind you, nick.

Division crown is definitely still in play, and I'll put my money on the veteran team that's been there/done that before. A deadline deal to help shore up the frontcourt would certainly increase the Celtics' chances of getting it done.

[heitingas]

I hope we don't... I'm fine if we finish 8th and get the 15th pick in the draft.

I just want to beat NY and win the season series 3-1. Then lose enough to finish 8th, hopefully upsetting the Bulls or Heat in round 1.

[snively]

The C's have been so inconsistent and Philly's endured a rough slate of games: I don't think we're seeing a trend yet.  I think Philly holds on to the Division, while Boston dukes it out with Atlanta and New York for the 6th spot to avoid Chicago or Miami in the 1st round. 

[Q_FBE]

A lot of posters thought I was out of my mind when I said I expected this team to win the Atlantic title a month ago or more ago.

All I heard is that the Celtics would never be able to play well enough to catch the Sixers and that the Sixers were the real thing and would never fall back.


Except now Philly has fallen back and has to play, like the Celtics, the toughest part of their schedule. There SOS to start the season was ridiculously easy. They have struggled recently because they finally started playing some good teams.

Boston is one game out in the loss column. I say they win the Atlantic like I have been saying all season.

Here, I am behind you now. Winning the division and getting to start on your home court is a worthy goal. I think we have Orlando's number and we can beat any other team in the East except Miami and Chicago. And I think we are good enough to give either of them a run for their money in the second round just like last year. Nick I pushed you closer to 800 tommy points. Let's do this division title thing now.

[PosImpos]

I still think the Sixers have too much youth and depth not to come out on top in this division, after the start they had.  If the Celtics had the easier part of their schedule in this second half while the Sixers had their most difficult, I might feel differently.  But since both teams have it really rough from here on, I think the Sixers will have the edge.

It will probably come down to the 4 games between the teams; if the Celtics win all 4 of those games, I think they have a great shot at winning the division.  But I think it's more likely that the Sixers at least split those 4 games.

In terms of seeding, the Celtics should just focus on getting that 6th seed so they can avoid a first round embarrassment.

[indeedproceed]

For sure its in play, I personally think its not gonna happen, but I'm a pessimist about this teams' ability to stay healthy and energetic down the stretch.

It doesn't get a whole lot easier going forward, but the sixers' Hawes is still on the shelf until next week, min.

[Q_FBE]

I still think the Sixers have too much youth and depth not to come out on top in this division, after the start they had.  If the Celtics had the easier part of their schedule in this second half while the Sixers had their most difficult, I might feel differently.  But since both teams have it really rough from here on, I think the Sixers will have the edge.

It will probably come down to the 4 games between the teams; if the Celtics win all 4 of those games, I think they have a great shot at winning the division.  But I think it's more likely that the Sixers at least split those 4 games.

In terms of seeding, the Celtics should just focus on getting that 6th seed so they can avoid a first round embarrassment.

Well I am greedy!!!! I want the 3 seed    I pushed you closer to 900 TPs

[Q_FBE]

For sure its in play, I personally think its not gonna happen, but I'm a pessimist about this teams' ability to stay healthy and energetic down the stretch.

It doesn't get a whole lot easier going forward, but the sixers' Hawes is still on the shelf until next week, min.

Think positive man..... Positive Energy!!!!!! I pushed you closer to 700 TPs . Now I should go walk 3.3 miles to get in shape and bring positive energy to the Celtics.

[KGs Knee]

I definitely think the division crown is within reach.  I would hope this team has it in them, they're better than both Philly and NY.

We'd actually be the 4th seed though, Orlando would still be ahead of us.  This is not bad though, as long as Chicago keeps the top spot.  Avoid Miami until the conference finals.

[Who]

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.

[CelticSooner]

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. 

[rasta1]

I was going to mention this yesterday

I was looking at the standings

and as badly as we've been playing all season we're only 2.5 out of 1st in the atlantic...i was pretty surprised

and not too far off of indiana either

there has literally been no shift in the east this season

[Lucky17]

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.