Celtics are at a critical juncture of the season

[cman88]

looking at the standings. With the raptors hitting abit of a slump, the celtics are 3 losses out of #2. And with the pacers losing oladipo #3 is certainly within reach. last time celtics were in this position after beating the pacers/raptors...they lost 3 in a row to the dregs of the league to firmly put them in 5th place in the east.

Now they have another chance to climb the standings. but will they finally take advantage of it?

[Fierce1]

Hopefully that's what they will do.

Celts should go for the #2 seed as it will give them home court advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

[Surferdad]

IMO, every juncture seems critical.  I think it gets more critical after the ASG.  All players will get focused and prepare for the playoffs.

[Fierce1]

IMO, every juncture seems critical.  I think it gets more critical after the ASG.  All players will get focused and prepare for the playoffs.

24 games left after ASG.

If Celts are still #5 or #4 in the east after the ASG, it will be difficult to catch up and get home court advantage in the 2nd round.

[KGBirdBias]

Who cares about the #1 seed, get to the 2 seed and all it takes is one road win to flip homecourt if they made the ECF. Having to win a series without homecourt in 2 series would be very difficult.

[Fierce1]

Who cares about the #1 seed, get to the 2 seed and all it takes is one road win to flip homecourt if they made the ECF. Having to win a series without homecourt in 2 series would be very difficult.

Totally agree!

#2 seed is the best case scenario right now and it's doable.

Pacers already lost Oladipo for the rest of the season.

Celts just need to catch Toronto.

[KGBirdBias]

It would've been nice if our bench showed up tonight.

I'm worried about Hayward now. I think a week in the DLeague would allow him to get some confidence. He's just too hesitant and its killing rhe rotation. No way they beat us if we get any production from bench.

Do you see how the Warriors move the ball. We looked lost at times. I hoped they learned something about staying locked in and no mental lapses or they make you pay.

[SparzWizard]

I don't think the Celtics are going into the Finals if Gordon Hayward can't perform like his vintage Utah days because that is who the Celtics need to compete in the Finals.

Plus, the east is a lot stronger this year compared to the past where it's always gone through LeBron James.

[ozgod]

Who cares about the #1 seed, get to the 2 seed and all it takes is one road win to flip homecourt if they made the ECF. Having to win a series without homecourt in 2 series would be very difficult.

Agree. 2 seed is achievable but they can't drop too many easy games.

[LilRip]

C’s need home court advantage. This team isn’t good enough to win on the road in the playoffs

[apc]

I can see us getting to 4 and pacers dropping to 5.
Which will be a good first round match for us without olapido.
I don’t see any of the other top teams dropping enough games for us to climbs to 1-3.

[drooldaddy]

I agree with KGBIRDBIAS, if Danny had the nerve to send Hayward down for a week it should help his confidence.
Then Wanamaker could get a few more minutes to allow an accurate assessment of his value.

[Stig]

don't think sending Hayward to the G league will help his confidence at all, it might have if we send him in the beginning of the season, now it's too late. we have to accept the injury he had will take a whole year or more to recover, we'd be lucky if he can regain some confidence by playoff time.

[Celtics4ever]

He needs a sports therapist, quite honestly.

[GreenWarrior]

this team is going nowhere this season. brad stevens neutered this team from the go this season, starting hayward was a colossal disaster. it may have ruined brown in the process and it definitely killed our shot at having a chance in the playoffs.

hope it was worth it...