Potential Detroit Matchup

by Jeff Clark on Mar 17, 2009 11:03 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Tim Legler breaks down the most likely bottom 3 seeds in the East. He projects the Pistons getting the 7 seed and has this to say about their chances:

Detroit Pistons (No. 7, 33-32) -- As dysfunctional as they've been, they are looking like a team that could be very dangerous -- especially if they end up facing Boston in a 2-7 matchup.

Rasheed Wallace, who is out with a calf injury now, has always been the barometer for this team. When he's playing with passion and emotion, they're pretty darned good. Getting Allen Iverson integrated into the system is also important.

If Wallace is healthy and fired up, Detroit could get past Boston. And I'd think they would believe they could get past the likely Hawks-Heat pairing winner and back into their usual Eastern Conference Finals spot.

I think Tim is stretching it a bit saying that they could reach the ECF, but I will say that taking the Pistons lightly would be a very big mistake. I think I'd rather see Philly in that spot. That said, a healthy Celtics team has little to truely be worried about until we meet the Cavs.

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hawks-Heat?

I think it is orlando-Philly that he meant.

I would like to see Philly as well, I don’t think philly will do well when the game is slower.

by aboubata on Mar 17, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

C'mon Tim

I’d expect that from someone like Stephen A. Smith, but Legler was the only one who picked the Celtics to beat the Lakers in the Finals. I thought he had more sense than that.

I would rather face the Sixers too, but the Pistons are not as good as they were last year, and if we’re healthy, they’re not beating us.

by CelticsWhat35 on Mar 17, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

Fast Break

Just a couple nights ago T.Legler said he picks the Celtics to win it all…his exact words were"sorry Lakers fans".All season long Tim has been the most consitent analyst on tv picking the Celtics to win the east,and the championship.This is the most surprising thing ive read in awhile.

by house_call on Mar 17, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Pistons a good thing

Man maybe the Pistons is exactly what we need in the first round. At the pace were going right now we are going to be sleepwalking into the playoffs. A series against the Pistons will most definitely wake us up and get the championship mentality rolling again. One of my biggest fears is playing down to our first opponent in the playoffs. We’’ve battled with the Pistons last year and even this year I’d love to see that first round matchup if only to get this team fired up.

by threats13 on Mar 17, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

Underdogs Again

I love that we are already being taken for granted. I thought it would at least be the 2nd round until that happens, gotta love BSPN.

Gotta agree about the Pistons, they would be the tough 1st round matchup, but it could be the wake up call we need. It’ll come down to our defense, because we will be able to put as many points as we want against them.

by D Dub on Mar 17, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

Underdogs

Personallu, I would derive a great deal of satisfaction if the Celtics won number 18 while winning road games in Orlando, Cleveland and LA. If healthy, this team can do it and will be a juggernaught in the playoffs. Some of you talk about fearing Cleveland or worrying about the Lakers when Bynum comes back. Do you think those teams want to face US in the playoffs?? They are praying that we lose to Detroit or Philly in the first round. As I have said before, this is a stronger team that last year. First, the starting five have the experience of last year. Remember, when KG was healthy, the Celts were tearing up the league (or have we forgotten the 27-2 start?). Second, the bench is better. Say what you will about BBD, but he is much improved over last year and has more minutes.. And he will be rested. Powe? You are witnessing his coming out party. Marbury? No matter what you think of him, he can play and will only get better. Moore will be better simply because he will be surrounded by excellent players, something he has not really experienced before. Allen is deadly and Pierce is clutch. Rondo? One of the best in the league at making things happen. KG’s return will be huge. I am telling you, the only meaning these next 15 games have is for the team to get healthy, start playing together again and further bring along Moore and Marbury. If I am in Cleveland or LA, I would be very concerned.

by JPV on Mar 17, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

I think Detroit will end up playing Orlando … and Phily will suit up against the C’s.

by Who on Mar 17, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed...

Philly has a five-game western swing coming up, including games against the Lakers, Suns, and Blazers. So unless we screw up and get the sixth, we’ll play them.

by Ersatz on Mar 17, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Detroit or Philly ?? .. no easy task

Sure we have a 27-2 and we were 19-0 at one point. But that happens before the snow melt. It is different now. It is not how we start the season, but it is how we finish it that’s more important going into to playoffs. The C’s lost another game tonight to the Bulls. That’s not how a contender builds up momentum going into the real season. Tonight’s game was another horror story, painful to watch down the stretch, but that’s another story.

Both Detroit and Philly have given the Celtics lots of troubles. Philly MAY be the easier between the two, but neither match-up will be cake walk. 14 games left. Will the Celtics be able to get back to that high level of play of Nov and Dec in 14 games?

by greennwin on Mar 17, 2009 11:52 PM EDT reply actions