Celts schedule

[Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

    Other than a very, very brief stretch in late March, the upcoming
Celts schedule is as daunting as can be. It is conceivable that
oddsmakers will have the Boston Celtics favored to win in only three or
four of the remaining games this season, including the second-half
opener against Vancouver (a team that has already beaten us this year).

    If we hold onto the 8th seed, there is no question Boston will not
only be a playoff team but a seasoned and dangerous one at that (since
maybe 90% of our regular season opponents are a lock for the playoffs).
Playing .500 ball the rest of the way would be nearly as impressive an
achievement as the remarkable 10-5 start we've compiled so far. In fact,
.500 would practically be a miracle, and I hope home fans will be
patient with some rough patches.

    There are several five-game stretches where the Celts have no
business expecting to win even one game. For example, the minute the
deadly West Coast trip ends with the three Texas road games, our next
three opponents after that are none other than Seattle, the Knicks and
Utah.

    And if a week later we are still standing (I hope so), you then have
to deal with the 76ers, Lakers, Suns, Nuggets and Spurs one after
another. Come the final 10-game homestretch in April, Boston must face
Miami twice, Philly, the Lakers again, and three other current Eastern
playoff teams.

    One game at a time, as they say. Worst case scenario, we win the top
lottery pick and block one of the two Eddies (Griffin or Curry) from
going to the (undeserving) Jerry Krause. But right now I'd much rather
have the 8th seed than Eddie Griffin, even though I can't remember the
last time a major Division I basketball player averaged over 12 boards
and 5 blocks in a season (nearly 7 blocks until recently), while leading
his team in scoring. EG is putting up college stats not seen since maybe
Vin Baker did it against weak competition, except EG's doing all this in
the loaded Big East and as a Freshman no less. Because of his
athleticism and height, he has to rank as the most "can't miss" amateur
power forward prospect dating back to McHale, Malone and Chris Webber.

Joe

------

Thu February 15 at Seattle SuperSonics
Sat February 17 at Portland Trail Blazers
Mon February 19 at Utah Jazz
Tue February 20 at Houston Rockets
Thu February 22 at Dallas Mavericks
Fri February 23 at San Antonio Spurs
Mon February 26 Seattle SuperSonics
Thu March 1 at New York Knicks
Fri March 2 Utah Jazz
Sun March 4 Charlotte Hornets
Wed March 7 Milwaukee Bucks
Fri March 9 Washington Wizards
Sun March 11 Philadelphia 76ers
Tue March 13 at Los Angeles Lakers
Thu March 15 at Phoenix Suns
Fri March 16 at Denver Nuggets
Wed March 21 San Antonio Spurs
Thu March 22 at New Jersey Nets
Sun March 25 Chicago Bulls
Tue March 27 at Atlanta Hawks
Thu March 29 at Chicago Bulls
Fri March 30 Indiana Pacers
Sun April 1 at Charlotte Hornets
Tue April 3 at Miami Heat
Wed April 4 at Orlando Magic
Fri April 6 Los Angeles Lakers
Sat April 7 at Washington Wizards
Mon April 9 at Philadelphia 76ers
Wed April 11 Miami Heat
Fri April 13 at Indiana Pacers
Sun April 15 New Jersey Nets
Wed April 18 Charlotte Hornets