Coming Down the Stretch

Here is how things look for the Celtics coming down the stretch. 


@ Knicks
vs Orlando
@ Atlanta
vs Miami
vs Milwaukee


Really very little is at stake at this point. With a 4-game lead on Philadelphia in the division, the Celtics should be able to clinch the 4-seed with a 2-3 finish. I see no particular reason to pursue the 3-seed, especially if Atlanta ends up with the 5.


New York will be a tough game, the Knicks coming off a tough home defeat at the hands of the Heat. They'll be sharp, and hungry for a win, while the Celtics have looked lethargic over the weekend against the bottom-feeders of the East. Needless to say, the Heat will be tough as well, no doubt out for blood after being embarrassed twice in the past month.


I'd say the must-wins are against Orlando and Atlanta -- two potential first-round opponents that the Celtics need to beat out for home-court advantage. Luckily, the Celts are flat-out better than both of these teams, especially with the Magic still reeling from Howard issues. I see it breaking down this way:


@ Knicks     L
vs Orlando   W
@ Atlanta    W
vs Miami     L
vs Milwaukee W   


The Celtics need those two middle games against the Magic and Hawks, but aside from that I'd favor a lot of rest, especially for the Big Three, as soon as the division is locked up.