Final Stretch - 10 Games Left

by Jeff Clark on Mar 24, 2009 9:59 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

Hard to believe but the end of the season is coming up quick. There's only 10 games left to decide home court, playoff matchups, and who gets the 8 seed and who's left in the lottery. The Celtics have conceeded home court to the LeBrons and made health a top priority, but the Magic are still focused on the 2 seed.

“No question,” Van Gundy said. “Homecourt, I think it’s huge. Every day, you’re playing for something.”

I think the Celtics will be up for the challenge as a chance to for KG and company to gear up against a playoff caliber opponent (the Spurs game was KG's first back and no offense but the Griz and Clips are practice fodder).

Here's a quick look at the schedule the rest of the way.

Mar 25    at Orlando    8:00 pm    ESPN, SUN
Mar 27    at Atlanta    7:30 pm    CSNE, FSS
Mar 29    vs Oklahoma City    7:00 pm    CSNE
Apr 1    vs Charlotte    7:30 pm    CSNE
Apr 3    vs Atlanta    7:30 pm    FSS, CSNE
Apr 8    vs New Jersey    7:30 pm    YES, CSNE
Apr 10    vs Miami    7:30 pm    SUN, CSNE
Apr 12    at Cleveland    3:30 pm    ABC
Apr 14    at Philadelphia    8:00 pm    TNT
Apr 15    vs Washington    8:00 pm    CSMA, CSNE

As I've noted before, after Orlando and Atlanta the Celtics get a full 2 weeks at home. They also get to feast on the likes of the Thunder, Bobcats, and Nets. Then they get some nice tune-up games against the Heat, Cavs (likely a meaningless game by that point), and potential first round matchup Philly.

Poll

How many games will the Celtics win over the last 10?

1-5

35 votes

6-7

371 votes

8-9

697 votes

10

217 votes

1320 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Down the stretch we come ....

..but will/can we go at full speed? Can our M&M finally do and show us something to cheer about?

by greennwin on Mar 24, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

Magic going for the 2nd seed?

Why would the Magic wants the 2nd seed and the chance to play Detroit? They have been beaten by the Pistons just about everytime. Beat me.

by greennwin on Mar 24, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions

At the risk of repeating myself too much

I don’t think the Cavs game is meaningless, even if it won’t even remotely help us catch them in the standings. I think the Cs need to prove they can win in Cleveland, both to the Cavs and to themselves. Going into a series having won the season series and the last regular season game between the two teams might also be a small psychological advantage.

by illantari on Mar 24, 2009 11:34 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

To me that Cleveland game is the most important of all these games, it’s a must win game. We have to win that game. We have to let Cleveland know that if we do face them in the ECF we can beat them on their own home court.

by C's09Champs on Mar 25, 2009 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I disagree

I’d rather keep Cleveland guessing. Play the big 3 30-33 minutes but don’t over play them. I know the Cs know they can win in Cleveland, but it’d be nice if Cleveland were kept guessing.

by Ersatz on Mar 25, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

but ...

… there are health issues, so i would rather drop the cle game than have someone banged up all over again …

by celtsucka on Mar 25, 2009 12:35 AM EDT reply actions

40-1

That is what at stake here, and I would never want to share this record the C’s have specially with Lebrick!!!.

Id say the Celtics should come out and try for a victory, Im pretty sure Lebron will also go for the win.

by bopna on Mar 25, 2009 2:14 AM EDT reply actions

good point

the spirit of ’86!

by celtsucka on Mar 25, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Orlando has a similar final stretch

They play us, Cleveland (in Orlando), Atlanta and Houston.

The rest of the games are pretty much “practice fodder” but, same as us, they play Miami as well as a few teams vying for the 8th spot (Milwaukee- twice, New York, New Jersey and Charlotte).

I think we have a better chance of securing the number 2 seed, but tonight’s game in Orlando is a big one.

I also agree with the above comments that the game in Cleveland is a good chance to prove we can beat them on their home court.

by Ruben Wolkowyski on Mar 25, 2009 2:57 AM EDT reply actions