Bulls got waxed by NOP; now only 1 game up on CLE and TOR. 1 seed to play-in tournament in just over a month (CHI was tied for 1st with a 39-21 record on February 25)?
You are mistaken, their opponents have the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA.Celtics have the toughest remaining schedule in the league.
If they were able to take the 1 seed then the whole league is on notice, because their remaining schedule really is a fucking gauntlet.You are mistaken, their opponents have the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA.
2nd Heat game should be WAS.If they were able to take the 1 seed then the whole league is on notice, because their remaining schedule really is a fucking gauntlet.
Vs Timberwolves - 19-7 in their last 26
@ Raptors - always play hard, away game, 2nd of a back to back.
Vs Heat - 1 seed
Vs Pacers - meh
Vs Heat - meh
@Bulls - playoff team
@Bucks - top team, away game, 2nd of a back to back
@Grizzlies - quality opponent, 3rd road game in a row.
I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with me!You are mistaken, their opponents have the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA.
I think the league is already on notice but the schedule isn't as tough as you make it. The next three are important, but two are at home. The Bulls are fading fast and the last game is unlikely to matter to the Grizzlies (they are 3 games up right now on the 3 seed and can't catch the Suns).If they were able to take the 1 seed then the whole league is on notice, because their remaining schedule really is a fucking gauntlet.
Vs Timberwolves - 19-7 in their last 26
@ Raptors - always play hard, away game, 2nd of a back to back.
Vs Heat - 1 seed
Vs Pacers - meh
Vs Wash - meh
@Bulls - playoff team
@Bucks - top team, away game, 2nd of a back to back
@Grizzlies - quality opponent, 3rd road game in a row.
It's already lifted for athletes and performers. Kyrie can play home games, though he still can't play at Toronto.I just don't want the Celtics to get Brooklyn in the first round. Yeah, I know, Simmons probably won't be playing this season because of his back, but Durant and Kyrie + a bunch of ring chasers will still be a problem, especially if the New York mayor just happens to lift the vaccination restriction prior to the NBA playoffs, which I bet he does ...
Yeah, maybe. I mean, win/loss percentage says the Cs have the hardest remaining schedule. We can't just shrug games off and say "eh, maybe the game won't matter and they'll sit players". We can't predict that.I think the league is already on notice but the schedule isn't as tough as you make it. The next three are important, but two are at home. The Bulls are fading fast and the last game is unlikely to matter to the Grizzlies (they are 3 games up right now on the 3 seed and can't catch the Suns).
Outside chance the Bucks game doesn't matter to them, too. They play @Memphis, @philly and then @brooklyn in the next three so that is huge for them.
C's @Toronto will certainly be tough, if they can grind that out I think they have a great shot for #1.
Minn won last night against Dallas and those two previous losses were to the Suns and Dallas (by 2 in Dallas) so, yeah, it's a tough game as you said.T'WOLVES - The Wolves lost their last two, but up until those 2 games, they were the hottest team in the league right behind the C's. That's a tough game.
He says he's going to start ramping UP Tatum's minutes to get him ready for the workload he'll see in the playoffs. But he plans to give him some games off to compensate.Love the story about our juggernaut team racing up the standings, but I'm going to be ok if Ime starts giving guys maintenance days and limiting minutes. Honestly I'd prefer that he start easing off on the gas pedal a little.
For those who keep track of JT's minutes per game, please be aware that Ime is about to ramp his minutes up. https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/03/23/0323-bh-s-celtsnotes/
That's right. Ime is going to look to play JT more minutes per game down the stretch because Ime wants to get JT used to playing playoff minutes. However, to offset this, Ime will look to give JT some nights off.
But Ime Udoka is also looking to ramp up the intensity as his team approaches the playoffs, with a legitimate chance to land the conference’s third or second seed. He’s looking, for example, to increase Jayson Tatum’s minutes once the first series starts.“It’s a balance, for a few reasons. You want to, obviously, be well rested and healthy going into the playoffs but not take away what we’ve improved on and areas we still need to get better at,” said the Celtics coach. “As well as building up playoff minutes. And so it’s a balance there. The 36 or 37 that (Tatum is) at, that’s going to probably increase to 39 to 40 in the playoffs. So we don’t want him to be too rested, where he’s going into the playoffs and take that spike in minutes and he’s tired after a seven-game series or whatever. So it’s a balance there. But nights off, you want to find a full night off, not a 25-minute night. And so that’s what we’ll look at over the next few games.”
Or course, getting JT up to 39-40 mpg is going to require the Cs not to blow out every opponent for the rest of the season.
We should travel with 8 guys to Toronto and leave everyone else home to get ready for the stretch run. It’s a schedule loss so let’s take advantage of it and we ready for the rest of the schedule. Based on Ime’s words Tatum won’t be making the trip so leaving the rest of the starters behind makes sense too.The way Miami is melting down they are likely ticketed for the 4 seed now. Odds are good that the Nets land the 7. Really strong incentive for the C’s to land the 1 seed.
Wonder if Ime rests Tatum in the Monday b2b Toronto game given his statement about rest days. I have a feeling he won’t.
Pretty exciting stretch run.
Think so? You’re probably right but Horford is out tomorrow so hopefully he’s available Monday. Tatum is almost certainly resting against Indiana or Washington and probably the Milwaukee game which is the b2b road game after a road Chicago game.We should travel with 8 guys to Toronto and leave everyone else home to get ready for the stretch run. It’s a schedule loss so let’s take advantage of it and we ready for the rest of the schedule. Based on Ime’s words Tatum won’t be making the trip so leaving the rest of the starters behind makes sense too.
And the Sixers are playing the Suns in AZ, Suns are favored by 5. Celts would be sitting in the 1 seed with 7 games left and control of their own destiny.So, a Celtics win and 76ers loss tomorrow.... Damn.
Yeah I had seen that too.He says he's going to start ramping UP Tatum's minutes to get him ready for the workload he'll see in the playoffs. But he plans to give him some games off to compensate.
Edit: Here's where I saw it.
Lakers at Pelicans tonight. Would be big win for New Orleans if they can pull it off.Let's go Spurs and Pelicans, that's all I have to say.
Charlotte up 2 in the 3rd after being down early. Would love to see them overtake the Nets.quietly a huge game in BRK tonight.
BKN is 1 game up on CHA for the 8, AND... winner of tonight's game gets the tiebreaker.
So CHA wins and they are in the 8 spot
Are you missing an “if” between so and CHA?quietly a huge game in BRK tonight.
BKN is 1 game up on CHA for the 8, AND... winner of tonight's game gets the tiebreaker.
So CHA wins and they are in the 8 spot
Outscoring the Fakers 58-36 in the second half, up two with 3 to go. If they win they move ahead of LA.If the Pelicans had a healthy Zion, they'd be really intriguing. They're playing well without him.
Yep. I'm watching.Outscoring the Fakers 58-36 in the second half, up two with 3 to go. If they win they move ahead of LA.