To rest or not to rest?
With only two games left in the regular season (thank God) and the number two seed looking unlikely (damn), Doc Rivers will have to decide whether to rest his starters for the playoffs.
“That’s something we do have to think about,” Rivers said. “Not sure what’s better for us, just sitting it out or playing the next two.”
I’m torn. From where I sit, the Celtics quite obviously need a rest to recharge their batteries. But if the goal is still winning a championship (and I assume it is), the Celtics will still need to beat a Western Conference foe in the NBA Finals. That’s where these final two games could prove important, even if the East’s number two seed is already out of Boston’s grasp (which it might not be; Boston still only trails Miami by one game, and Atlanta tonight isn’t a total gimme for the Heat).
As many games as the Lakers have lost in a row, they’re still the Western Conference favorites. They’re also tied with Boston in the standings. Since the Lakers own the tiebreaker between the two teams, the Celtics need to finish the season one game ahead in order to host a potential Celtics-Lakers Finals series. With L.A. struggling mightily and playing the San Antonio Spurs tomorrow night, a 2-0 finish from Boston could be enough to earn the Celtics home court advantage in the Finals.
The Finals, you say? The Finals? I just want to win a game! Well, if you’re like me, you’re still holding onto hope even though the Celtics are trying their best to take it all away. The part of me that still has hope tells me the Lakers will be Boston’s NBA Finals opponent. And it’d be nice to have Game 7 at home this season, no?
Related posts:
Celtics Blog | Jay King | April 11, 2011
If they’ll play hard then I’m all for getting the best seeding we can. Otherwise, if not and just playing like they have lately (i.e. not caring), start the benchers. Go Cs…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
how do the lakers hold the hc tiebreaker? head to head is tied and Boston has an advantage in conference records and division records
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Tie goes to the team with a better record against the opposing conference.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
What BradinLA said.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
What you call hope is just delusion. Hope is recognizing that this team is in deep trouble and hoping that they change the trajectory, and not thinking ridiculously far ahead to a championship series that it will take amazing things to even get to. Right now, what’s important is to start Delonte and get the team used to playing with him.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
DW is actually better as a SG. RR will be fine. That’s not hope or delusion. Go Cs…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
funny how people can easily forget how good rondo is…..
yeah he’s been playing bad, but how can y’all choose DW to start?? rondo has been the most valuable player in this team, when he plays bad, we play bad.. nuff said.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Finally…the benchers start and all seeding worries are over. Rest, refocus and kickass in the playoffs. go Cs…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Playing the bench guys guys more minutes could hopefully get them into a groove. I’m for starting Green the next couple of games. Experiment with different player combos. Use the starters only a few minutes, combining them with various lineups in the bench.
The C’s and Doc are at a point where they have nothing to lose by experimenting. Especially with Green. They need him to get some minutes, get some flow, hopefully have a break out game before heading into the playoffs.
has anyone noticed how hard Rondo is laying it up off the glass? He may be the first player in NBA history to shatter the glass with a layup.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0