Interesting chart.........expected wins over the next 32 games.

Check this out.

Interesting. Where di you get this? Did they simply look at the records of future opponents, and give the win to whomever has the better record? That would seem reasonable; the "unexpected" wins and losses would probably balance out. Anyhow, looks like the Celtices will finish ~15 or so games over 0.500. I can live with that.

Another interesting thing to consider: the Celtics have the 5th best point differential in the whole league, and 2nd best in the east. That is the sign of strong team.

Shamrock

my Syracuse connection sent it to me this morning. I wanted to just post it as a photo but being at my work computer I can't. Only recourse was to show it as an attachment.

Probably based solely on the records of those teams right now but does sure look like a favorable schedule and a chance to move up into the top 4 in the east.

beat

21-11 seems like a possibility however that record probably does not contemplate any major injuries.  

I think the MVP for the Celtics is (I cannot believe I am saying this)  none other than Jae Crowder.  We may have depth to cover other positions but his worked at the SF has been really impressive.

dboss

dboss
I'm sure it reflects no injuries for any team. That said we have a pretty good bench and our bench has the 6th best average ppg.


http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/teamstats/16/7/pts/1-1


And I agree right now I'd pick Crowder as our MVP.

beat

beat

No doubt our bench is remarkably deep and as we have seen there is little or no drop off when one of the players is out.

Marcus has missed the most games and the defense really missed him however overall the team still was competitive. Think about all of the players that have missed a game or two.

dboss

21-11 over the next 32 games would take us up to 39-24 with 19 games left.

That would put us on track for 50-51 wins.

This assumes no major injuries.  It also assumes no major trades.  On a team with no superstars what is a "major injury"?  Thomas?  Crowder?  On this team that's about it.  And as far as "no trades" goes, I never assume that with Trader Danny until we are in the hunt for a Championship.


bob


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I don't know about how you chart expected wins; you need to play the games.

I do know this much, however…18 - 13 in late December.  18 - 13?  Come On!  Looking at the team realistically, who could have called that one?  This team is nearly half-way to what anyone with an ounce of realism could have projected for their season long win total.

The players are far from a collection of all-stars, and only the guards appear to be a foundation for anything permanent going forward.  So what gives?

Brilliant coaching and strong team play, that's what gives.  Stevens may just be better than what he's given credit for.  I know the East is the weakest of weak sisters, but this team is still outperforming any coherent expectations.  Credit Brad Stevens and his rag-tag bunch.  This is what a strong team effort should look like.  It's been fun to watch, that's for sure.

NYCelt

I just took a look at the schedule from last year. On December 27th we were sitting at 10-18. That's 8 games under .500. The early progress shows a continuation from the later part of last season when Boston went on an improbable run to make the playoffs.

One of the things that I am wary of is how the team plays after some players have been traded and one or more new ones arrive.

dboss