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Could the Celtics Still Steal the 1st Seed?

If you had asked me two week ago.  No, a week ago.  Hell, even three days ago if the Celtics had any chance of catching the Cavs, I would have outright denied the possibility.

While the 2nd seed is far from locked up, there still is, just maybe, the chance that the Celtics could steal the 1st seed from the Cavaliers.

Now, I'll admit the chance is remote, but I'll play out a possible scenario here:

Cleveland Cavaliers:

Record: 61 - 15

Remaining games:

San Antonio

Washington

@ Philadelphia

Boston

@ Indiana

Philadelphia

Boston Celtics:

Record: 58-19, 3.5 GB

Remaining Games:

New Jersey

Miami

@ Cleveland

@ Philadelphia

Washington

 

Yes, I understand it would be a huge longshot for the Celtics to pull this out.  But I'm not going to say it's impossible.

If Cleveland loses to San Antonio tomorrow, which is a realistic possibility, the Celtics will be exactly three games back.  On April 12th, they will control their own fate, as they could reduce the Cleveland lead to two games (or less).

Now, the Celtics will need to win out their remaining five games, which doesn't seem impossible, although it will obviously be tough to get by Cleveland.  Then, we'll need Cleveland to lose two of four to Washington, Indiana, and two matchups against the Sixers.

It could happen.  Not likely, but it could happen.  What does everybody think?

Do the Celtics have a shot?

 

Poll
Do the Celtics have a realistic shot at the number 1 seed in the East?
Yes
34 votes
No
86 votes
Lets just worry about the #2
94 votes

214 votes | Poll has closed

Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.

0 recs  |  Comment 7 comments |

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Hmm I wonder. I think the Cavs will probably go all out to avoid just that. The Lakers are right behind them and the Magic are right behind the Celtics so they could easily fall to 4th seed if that happened.

by twinbree on Apr 5, 2009 6:33 AM EDT reply actions  

If We had Garnett and Powe in the lineup....

I’d be willing to consider the possibility. However I think without those two in the lineup, it will be hard enough for us to win 5 in a row to finish out, never mind needing the Cavs to stumble as well. Also Doc has made it very clear that his mindset is on getting the new guys (Moore and Starbury) reps along with getting KG, Powe and Tony healthy for the playoffs. If we were completely healthy and Doc was attacking the 1 seed, I’d definitely consider catching them a possibility. The fact that we are not completely healthy and Doc is not focused on the 1 seed makes this an easy call, we have no shot!

SCOTT

by Vegas Scott on Apr 5, 2009 1:26 PM EDT reply actions  

although i think we have almost no shot

if we keep winning and cle loses to SA it at least causes cle to have to keep working hard. Its a start.

by wahz on Apr 5, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions  

I wished.

Just got done watching the Cavs beat the Spurs. I think the chances have came crashing down today. At this point I would’nt mind the 2 seed. Everyone is talking about the Cavs taking the whole thing already. Home court matters in the Finals more than the Eastern confrence finals. Thats just my theory. I want the Celtics to beat them the 12th,and just send a message to them .Mess with there heads,and ensure the 86 team record safe.

by green20 on Apr 5, 2009 3:30 PM EDT reply actions  

It is definitely a long shot, a really really really long one. I guess you can add to that long shot is the Lakers falling behind the Celtics record as well so we have home court throughout :P

by thatswhatshesaid23 on Apr 7, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions  

if we get garnett back by the clevland game. our secdules are very similar as far as sub.500 teams and over.500 teams

Chiken man #55
Boston... please draft me
i smell an 18th banner

by celtic55 on Apr 8, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions  

Its very possible to have homecourt throughout the playoffs

     No one is a sure lock to win a series, even if healthy, and one turned ankle in either of Cleveland’s first or second series by Lebron or Mo would waste them. Ergo, we now have home court advantage in the East.

     Again, no one is sure lock to win a series, even if healthy, and a turned ankle by either Kobe or Pao and the Lakers won’t make it out of the west, and, again, we have home court advantage.

by Dipper on Apr 12, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions  

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