Big Game Tonight; Part 1

The NBA season is filled with many big games for any team in contention.

Tonight is one such game for The Celtics. Is it THE Big Game? Maybe not. But then again...

We've needed a momentum change, and that may come from several factors. Among those factors...

• KG's move to center

• Bass' move to the starting lineup and maintaining high minutes on the floor

• Pietrus' emergence as a reliable wing option

• An overall shorter rotation

• Ability/willingness to increase the pace/go slightly uptempo for periods of time

• Distractions of Rondo trade talk or roster makeovers falling away.

Add to that list the chance to earn a share of the lead in the Atlantic Division tonight.

Psychologically at least, as well as in the minds of the various media writers who need to fill space, it comes down to this...

Win a share of the lead, and become part of the short list of contenders.

Lose and continue to be relegated to second tier status.

Maybe not THE Big Game, but a potentially major turning point on the season.

Call it The Big Game; Part 1.

NYCelt wrote:The NBA season is filled with many big games for any team in contention.

Tonight is one such game for The Celtics. Is it THE Big Game? Maybe not. But then again...

We've needed a momentum change, and that may come from several factors. Among those factors...

• KG's move to center

• Bass' move to the starting lineup and maintaining high minutes on the floor

• Pietrus' emergence as a reliable wing option

• An overall shorter rotation

• Ability/willingness to increase the pace/go slightly uptempo for periods of time

• Distractions of Rondo trade talk or roster makeovers falling away.

Add to that list the chance to earn a share of the lead in the Atlantic Division tonight.

Psychologically at least, as well as in the minds of the various media writers who need to fill space, it comes down to this...

Win a share of the lead, and become part of the short list of contenders.

Lose and continue to be relegated to second tier status.

Maybe not THE Big Game, but a potentially major turning point on the season.

Call it The Big Game; Part 1.

This is not a big game tonight it is a huge game. Obviously, our best shot at doing anything at all in the playoffs is winning our division and getting the automatic home field advantage in the first round that comes with it (thereby avoiding Miami or Chicago early). Because of our poor start to the season we will have a much tougher time passing Atlanta, Orlando and Indiana (we would need to pass ALL THREE if we come in second in the East to have the same advantage). Philly is right there with us in the loss column at 17 losses and here is a chance to give them one more in their own building. I know we played OT last night and the Sixers rested but if there ever was a game for our old-timers to bring it, it's tonight. It's a good time to play them since Hawes won't be back until next week for them and they were playing MUCH better when he was healthy. For the most part, they've been a totally different team since he went down. Not that I thought he was all that great before, but when he was in there at center for them they were blowing people out. Now they're struggling.

A win and finishing 1st in our weak division might buy us "time" in the playoffs, but we will still need to go thur most likey BOTH Miami and Chicago on the road at some point. Wether it is the second or third round.

Even a first round "home" advantage against anyone will be no easy series.

Just need to focus on tonight. Still lots of season left and who knows what twists and turns will happen.

beat