Random Thoughts on the State of the Celtics

MY NOTE:  For those of you who are handicapping our chances of making the playoffs (or the lottery) this is a pretty good summation of what we're up against...



http://celticsgreen.blogspot.com/2015/02/random-thoughts-on-state-of-celtics.html



By FLCeltsFan


The trade deadline is past and the Celtics are moving into the final stretch of games for the 2014-15 season.  Surprisingly, in spite of having 40 different players on the roster this season and having Danny pull off 9 trades over the season,  the Celtics are still in the playoff picture.  But, just exactly where do they stand?



We have to consider the Celtics standing from two different perspectives.  They are in a unique position to be in play for the lottery standings as well as for the playoff race.  Let's first consider the playoffs, because that's my preferred result for the season.  The lottery has never been kind to the Celtics and I think they would gain some very good experience from being in the playoffs.

Brooklyn and Charlotte are tied for the 8th seed with 23-32 records.  The spot would go to Brooklyn by virtue of the tie breaker.  Behind them there is a 3 way tie for the 9th spot between Detroit, Indiana, and Boston, with Boston behind the other two by .004%.  Let's look at the remaining schedules for these 5 teams.  
Team..............................Games Left ....................... Games vs +.500 teams
Brooklyn  ......................  16 H 11 A  .......................    10
Charlotte  ....................... 12 H  16 A .......................    12
Detroit  ........................... 10 H 15 A  .......................    11
Indiana  ..........................  15 H 10A  .........................  13
Boston  ...........................  14 H 14 A .........................  13

Another team to watch will be the Heat, who are currently the 7th seed, 1.5 games ahead of Brooklyn.  They just lost Chris Bosh for the rest of the season and are 5-5 in their last 10 games.  They could hold that spot or they could drop without the services of Bosh in the middle.  

Games to watch will be the head to head matchups the Celtics have remaining with these 5 teams.  Here are the games to keep an eye on, beginning, of course, with tonight's game against the Charlotte Hornets.   The Celtics will have 5 road games and 4 home games against these teams that are clumped at the bottom of the playoff race in the East.  
2/27  Hornets
3/9   @ Heat
3/14 @Pacers
3/22  Pistons
3/23  @ Nets
3/25  Heat
3/30  @ Hornets
4/1   Pacers
4/8 @ Pistons

The Pistons helped themselves at the trade deadline by bringing in Reggie Jackson and Tayshaun Prince, who will give them a boost.  As stated before, the Heat could fall due to the loss of Chris Bosh.  Charlotte seemed destined to fall after losing Kemba Walker but they have gotten a boost from their deadline trade for Mo Williams.  Brooklyn is teetering on the edge and could go either way.  The Pacers have been talking about bringing Paul George back for the stretch run, beginning with their game vs the Celtics on 3/14.  If that happens, they should get a boost from his addition.  

As for the Celtics, they definitely helped themselves at the trade deadline.  Isaiah is paying big dividends on the offensive end of the court.  His ability to get to the line is in itself a game changer.   I know that one game is not a big enough sample to make any judgements,  but if Jonas Jerebko can come close to his performance in his first game with the Celtics,  he will be a difference maker as well.   It may all come down to chemistry and whether Brad Stevens can make all the parts work together as to how successful this team will be going forward.  But, they sure have been fun to watch!!  

At the other end of the spectrum,  if the Celtics lose out on the playoffs, they are in the lottery push for pingpong balls.  If the lottery were today,  the Celtics would have the 9th most ping pong balls in the hopper.  They are 1.5 games behind Utah for the 8th spot, 2 games behind Sacramento for the 7th spot and 3 games behind Denver for the 6th spot.  All of which are in play.   The Magic once got the top pick when they were the 11th worst team, so anything is possible.

Just as an aside, the Celtics would also have the 23rd pick courtesy of Doc Rivers and the Clippers.  The Clippers are just half a game behind Cleveland for 22nd and 1 game behind Chicago for 21st.  Chicago just lost Derrick Rose for the rest of the season and probably won't slip further down.  Cleveland appears to be on the way up so the Clippers will probably move up past them.  Lots to watch for the rest of the season at both ends of the NBA spectrum.  



bob



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