A Tough Stretch Coming Up

We are heading into a tough stretch, in terms of scheduling.  We play 11 games in the next 19 days including 3 back-to-backs.  The teams we are playing are:  

<.500 = 6
>=.500 = 5, with 2 of these games being against elite teams.  The Houston game is game 2 of a b2b.

Breaking in our favor is that only 4 of these 11 games are on the road, with both of the elite teams playing us in Boston.  Nevertheless, a lot of games in not that many days with 3 b2bs, with all the b2bs being Home/Away or Away/Home.

As of 1/3/18, however, we will be exactly halfway through the season.  41 games in 78 days.  The next 41 games will be played over 98 days, as the regular season ends for us on 4/11.  If we are in good shape on 1/4, it could get easier for us.  More rest, more practice days.  However, the next 41 games will be 19 at home and 22 on the road.  Not too bad, but not in our favor.


12/15 Utah (13-15)
12/16 @ Memphis (8-20)
12/18 @ Indiana (16-12)
12/20 Miami (13-14)
12/21 @ NYK (14-13)
12/23 Chicago (7-20)
12/25 Washington (15-13)
12/27 @ Charlotte (10-17)
12/28 Houston (22-4)
12/31 Brooklyn (11-15)
1/3     Cleveland (20-



bob



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I see 6-5 or 7-4 at best.. don't shoot me.


even at 6-5 we'd be 30-11 at the halfway point!!

now tell me how many thought we had a chance at a 60 win season when Hayward went down in game 1?

This team has been playing well over their heads to date, IMO.

so I do expect a bit of slide from this elite cloud we are on right now. But I hope not!

I'm looking at 8-3 or better. Cmon, can't I shoot you? Please?

I've posted 60 wins before the season started and have also posted that I'm not changing my opinion.

They are just about exactly where I thought they would be and while Brad coached teams  do overachieve, I see less of that this year than previously. This is a much more talented and deep team compared to previous editions.

Pretty Please?

I'll duck....just give me enough warning and don't shoot straight.

well, you're the one who thought we'd win 60 without Hayward then.

either way it's been fun so far.

As usual, when the two longer west coast trips come up they will be a bunch of tough games for the Cs.

Some years we have gone out there and won one or two of seven, and although this year's team is much improved all such games out west seem tough.

I can see winning eight or nine of the next eleven to keep the Cs in first place.

Yes we have a competitive schedule but so do other teams.  We are not in a bubble.  

Much depends on injuries.  If Morris is going to miss an extended number of games that would be more of a challenge.  The depth on this team will continue to be tested.  

It is pretty difficult to put a number to it but I do not expect this team to forget how to win no matter who the competition is.  Any team that plays us has a tough game to play and will need to play excellent basketball to get a win.

Dboss

The Celtics should be the favorite for every game.

8-3 sounds right for a minimum. I'll predict 10-1. We'll lose to Houston or Cleveland? It depends on if these guys are banged up or healthy. If Horford and Kyrie or anyone good in the rotation is missing games, don't place any bets.

I just want to be 1-0 after our next game. Then I want to win the next one after that and so on.

And be as healthy as we can be over the next several months with no serious injuries.

beat