December Look Ahead

by Jeff Clark on Dec 1, 2008 10:19 AM EST in Articles Comment 4 comments

After taking care of the surprisingly plucky Bobcats and the surprisingly docile Sixers, the Celtics are riding a nice 8 game winning streak. November also featured a 6 game winning streak. These things happen when you have only two losses.

So will December be as kind to us? Lets take a quick look ahead. Of the 15 games, 7 have records of over .500 (which I've put in bold below). Here is the next week:

Mon, Dec 1     Orlando     7:30 PM
Wed, Dec 3     Indiana     7:30 PM
Fri, Dec 5     Portland     8:00 PM
Sun, Dec 7     @ Indiana     6:00 PM

This week in particular should be interesting. First up is Superman and the very tough Orlando Magic. Perk will have his work cut out for him. Then, the Celtics get a shot at payback playing the Pacers twice in a week. Then we get our first look at the man who captivated our dreams two seasons ago as Portland comes to town. That week alone should be worth watching.

But wait, there's more!

Thu, Dec 11     @ Washington     8:00 PM
Fri, Dec 12     New Orleans     8:00 PM
Mon, Dec 15     Utah         7:30 PM
Wed, Dec 17     @ Atlanta     7:00 PM

After hopefully taking care of the hopeless Wizards, the team faces three teams currently with winning records. First James Posey returns to the Garden with the Hornets. Once Rondo recovers from guarding Chris Paul, he'll have to turn around and face Deron Williams of the Jazz. Finally, the Hawks always seem to play us tough, especially in Atlanta.

Fri, Dec 19     Chicago     7:30 PM
Sun, Dec 21     NY Knicks     6:00 PM
Tue, Dec 23     Philadelphia     7:30 PM

Three formerly great teams that have fallen on hard times lately. Rose might already be the best player on the Bulls roster, the Knicks are in full LeBron-mode, and we know how the Sixers look (though they may be motivated for some payback).

Thu, Dec 25     @ LA Lakers     5:00 PM
Fri, Dec 26     @ Golden State     10:30 PM
Sun, Dec 28     @ Sacramento     9:00 PM
Tue, Dec 30     @ Portland     10:00 PM

Merry Christmas Celtics fans. We get the full ABC treatment, complete with highlights from last year's Finals, interviews galore, and special features on the rivalry renewed. Oh yeah, and there will be a game too. In fact, considering that these are still the two best teams in basketball, this could be the game of the year.

Finishing out the month the team has to watch out for an emotional letdown the day after Christmas against Golden State. They also have to watch out for a little jetlag since they will be in the middle of a West coast swing.

All in all it should be a very interesting month. Great storylines, quality opponents, and plenty of chances to assert themselves as the best team in the land.

P.S. Don't forget, we've got the whole schedule right here on CelticsBlog.

Poll

How many wins will we get in December?

10 or Less

16 votes

11 or 12

128 votes

13 or 14

167 votes

15

82 votes

393 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Christmas Day

can’t wait for this game – I think the whole world will be watching

I feel pretty confident that we can win it too – I still think we are the better team, and that’s not me being a homer (at least I don’t think). We just play great defense and get up for the better teams in the league.

by Jeff Clark on Dec 1, 2008 8:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

hi guys

I predict 13-2. the two losses: NO and the second Portland game. Paul is really really had to stop, that is obvious. the hornets now have plenty to prove as tehy have been named as competitors before the season, and now they are.. well, mediocre. I somehow have a feeling they might put it together this time.
onto portalnd. end of a long month, and a road trip on the other side of the US, never easy. and what’s more, this portland squad is getting better and better by the day.
this prediction thing is not based on matchup, just my gut feeling. i still think the celtics are the best team in the nba, and they will prove it on christmas day. go suns and celtics
peace

Once upon a time the Suns got out on the break... and along came Steve sucKerr

by Murcy on Dec 1, 2008 10:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

the funny thing is

we’ve lost both of our games this year to teams that really had no business beating us (Indy and Denver) so you could make the case that the team might have a couple of stumbles this month too

by Jeff Clark on Dec 1, 2008 10:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would focus less on the record and more on the quality of their play. You want to see steady improvement from the starters and from the bench.

In both of the losses, they were outplayed at the pg position. In the Indiana loss, TJ Ford did to the Celtics what Rondo on his good nights does to other teams: drive the ball into the gut of the defense and force it to break down.

So I’d look first of all for more cosistent defense at the point of attack. When they stop the ball, the Celtics are very, very difficult to beat.

by Brickowski on Dec 1, 2008 11:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs