Is the second seed within reach?

[AB_Celtic]

We are 3.5 games behind the second-place Pacers. We have 17 games remaining, the Pacers have 16.

Pacers remaining schedule:
Likely wins: @Cleveland, Orlando, Milwaukee, @Dallas, @Phoenix, @Washington, Cleveland, Philadelphia.
Possible losses: @Chicago, Atlanta, @Houston, @LAC, Oklahoma City, Brooklyn, @NYK, @Boston.

Celtics remaining schedule:
Likely losses: @Memphis, @NYK, @Miami
Possible wins: Miami, @New Orleans, @Dallas, NYK, @Cleveland, Atlanta, @Minnesota, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington, Brooklyn, @Orlando, Indiana, @Toronto

If the Pacers do go 8-8 and we win 10 of our possible wins (so we go 10-7), we tie the Pacers, and we would have swept the season series against them.

Of course, it's likely the Pacers go better than 8-8, but it's just as possible that we go better than 10-7.

What do people think?

[hpantazo]

we'll be lucky if we get the 4th seed

[SHAQATTACK]

possible

not likely

[CelticsFan9]

The third seed is the best we can do with the way NY is floundering.

[Fan from VT]

We are 3.5 games behind the second-place Pacers. We have 17 games remaining, the Pacers have 16.

Pacers remaining schedule:
Likely wins: @Cleveland, Orlando, Milwaukee, @Dallas, @Phoenix, @Washington, Cleveland, Philadelphia.
Possible losses: @Chicago, Atlanta, @Houston, @LAC, Oklahoma City, Brooklyn, @NYK, @Boston.

Celtics remaining schedule:
Likely losses: @Memphis, @NYK, @Miami
Possible wins: Miami, @New Orleans, @Dallas, NYK, @Cleveland, Atlanta, @Minnesota, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington, Brooklyn, @Orlando, Indiana, @Toronto

If the Pacers do go 8-8 and we win 10 of our possible wins (so we go 10-7), we tie the Pacers, and we would have swept the season series against them.

Of course, it's likely the Pacers go better than 8-8, but it's just as possible that we go better than 10-7.

What do people think?

It's possible but not likely. Why is it "just as possible" for a better team to go better than 8-8 and a lesser team to go better than 10-7? I would think it's more possible that the pacers do better than the C's. Both are possible, but i think more possible for the better team.

[AB_Celtic]

It's possible but not likely. Why is it "just as possible" for a better team to go better than 8-8 and a lesser team to go better than 10-7? I would think it's more possible that the pacers do better than the C's. Both are possible, but i think more possible for the better team.

I should have made this clearer, but I think we have an easier remaining schedule than them.

[BigAlTheFuture]

I think 3rd seed would be more realistic. I say we end up with the 4th seed, though. I think we can beat out Brooklyn but fall just a game or two behind the Knicks for the 3rd seed.

[CelticConcourse]

2nd and 3rd are both realistic, but 4th or 5th would really suck. (If we had to have 4th or 5th, we'd better get HCA)

[tarheelsxxiii]

Probably important to consider how many of our remaining games are at home. Huge dichotomy between our home vs. away records.

4 seed seems to be our norm now, huh? I don't hate it...

[CelticConcourse]

I think 3rd seed would be more realistic. I say we end up with the 4th seed, though. I think we can beat out Brooklyn but fall just a game or two behind the Knicks for the 3rd seed.

I'm pretty sure the Nets end up with a better record than the Knicks by season's end due to so many injuries for the Knicks, but who really knows? I hope the Celtics can pass both (and that essentially guarantees the 3rd seed, unless Rose returns)

[Lightskinsmurf]

If the celtics beat everybody they should beat *Which they already aren't doing they dropped a game to the bobcats recently* then they could get the 3rd seed. I think 4th is more realistic tho. We could be anywhere from 3rd-6th or 7th. That's how close everyone outside of miami is.

[CelticsFan9]

2nd and 3rd are both realistic, but 4th or 5th would really suck. (If we had to have 4th or 5th, we'd better get HCA)

Why would 4 or 5 suck?

[Neurotic Guy]

2nd and 3rd are both realistic, but 4th or 5th would really suck. (If we had to have 4th or 5th, we'd better get HCA)

Why would 4 or 5 suck?

I think he means that 4/5 gives you the Heat in the 2nd round while 2/3 we'd meet the Heat in the ECF (if we get there).  Also, of course, greater chance for Heat to get tripped up in an early round before us.

[CelticsFan9]

2nd and 3rd are both realistic, but 4th or 5th would really suck. (If we had to have 4th or 5th, we'd better get HCA)

Why would 4 or 5 suck?

I think he means that 4/5 gives you the Heat in the 2nd round while 2/3 we'd meet the Heat in the ECF (if we get there).  Also, of course, greater chance for Heat to get tripped up in an early round before us.

Even greater chance of us getting injured and tired as hell.

[Neurotic Guy]

2nd and 3rd are both realistic, but 4th or 5th would really suck. (If we had to have 4th or 5th, we'd better get HCA)

Why would 4 or 5 suck?

I think he means that 4/5 gives you the Heat in the 2nd round while 2/3 we'd meet the Heat in the ECF (if we get there).  Also, of course, greater chance for Heat to get tripped up in an early round before us.

Even greater chance of us getting injured and tired as hell.

Just providing the reasoning for why one would prefer the 2/3 than the 4/5.   No assurances either way, but my guess is most would rather face them later than sooner -- if only to give us a better chance for a longer run.