Game Thread – Wizards @ Celtics – 7:30PM, Wed, Nov. 5, 2025

[Fierce1]

Tanking implies finishing with a bottom 5 record. People would rightfully be pissed if the team was trying to tank and ended up with only the 7th worst record.

As long as you're in the lottery, you've got a chance to get the no. 1 pick. So you could have the 14th worst record and still get the no. 1 pick.

Hawks were in the play-in tourney, then got no. 1 pick.

The worse the record though, the better you're lottery odds..

I checked the last 10 years of draft lottery and from 2015 to 2025, only the Hawks(2024) and Mavs(2025) were able to get the #1 pick even though they were supposed to be picking 10th and 11th respectively.

So the Hawks and Mavs were the exception, not the norm.

I'm not against having a lottery pick, but do it after February trade deadline.

Right now it's just too early.

[Hal14]

Tanking implies finishing with a bottom 5 record. People would rightfully be pissed if the team was trying to tank and ended up with only the 7th worst record.

As long as you're in the lottery, you've got a chance to get the no. 1 pick. So you could have the 14th worst record and still get the no. 1 pick.

Hawks were in the play-in tourney, then got no. 1 pick.

The worse the record though, the better you're lottery odds..

I checked the last 10 years of draft lottery and from 2015 to 2025, only the Hawks(2024) and Mavs(2025) were able to get the #1 pick even though they were supposed to be picking 10th and 11th respectively.

So the Hawks and Mavs were the exception, not the norm.

I didn't say it was the norm. But it it is a possibility - a greater possibility than us winning the championship this season..especially considering it's not only about the no. 1 pick.

If you're in the lottery, you could get lucky and move up to the 2nd pick, or the 3rd or 4th pick.

It's possible.

Or even if we get the 7th pick or 8th or 11th pick or 12th. Those are all better picks than if we get into the playoffs as like a 5-8 seed, get destroyed in the 1st round of the playoffs and get a pick in the 15-21 range.

The higher the pick, the better.

[celtxman]

I'm rooting for the Celtics to win tonight and going forward. I have issues with what the Celtics did in the off season. I still hold out hope that Stevens has an actual plan to do something to have a legitimate NBA Championship front court and a team ready to compete for championships at the start of next season.

[jmr07019]

Tanking implies finishing with a bottom 5 record. People would rightfully be pissed if the team was trying to tank and ended up with only the 7th worst record.

Perhaps. But which is worse? Your scenario with us at 7 or Us trying and ending up with 13 or 14?

Should Mazulla coach to lose? No. I'm not suggesting we trade assets for minor upgrades or rush Tatum back but Mazulla should coach to win. Let the pick fall where it does.

If a guy gets injured and you want to be cautious bringing him back fine.

[Curmudgeon]

Mazulla is coaching to lose. He's not even trying to hide it.

[Parliament10]

Read on Twitter

[Fierce1]

As long as you're in the lottery, you've got a chance to get the no. 1 pick. So you could have the 14th worst record and still get the no. 1 pick.

Hawks were in the play-in tourney, then got no. 1 pick.

The worse the record though, the better you're lottery odds..

I checked the last 10 years of draft lottery and from 2015 to 2025, only the Hawks(2024) and Mavs(2025) were able to get the #1 pick even though they were supposed to be picking 10th and 11th respectively.

So the Hawks and Mavs were the exception, not the norm.

I didn't say it was the norm. But it it is a possibility - a greater possibility than us winning the championship this season..especially considering it's not only about the no. 1 pick.

If you're in the lottery, you could get lucky and move up to the 2nd pick, or the 3rd or 4th pick.

It's possible.

Or even if we get the 7th pick or 8th or 11th pick or 12th. Those are all better picks than if we get into the playoffs as like a 5-8 seed, get destroyed in the 1st round of the playoffs and get a pick in the 15-21 range.

The higher the pick, the better.

I agree about getting the higher pick.

Until the Tatum and Simons situation are resolved, I'm not yet into tanking.

We disagree about Tatum returning this season because you believe he's not coming back, but the majority, including the Boston media, are already convinced that Tatum is returning this season.

If that happens then tanking would be hard.

But if Tatum does not return then I'm on the same page as you regarding the higher pick.

We also have to find out what Brad gets for Simons.
That will also affect the wins and losses of the Celtics this season.

[31to6]

so .. if we win, and it doesn't count because Middleton was out -- does it count as an L in the tank standings?

[Fierce1]

Mazulla is coaching to lose. He's not even trying to hide it.

Clearly you don't know Joe.

Joe is very competitive.

The Boston media pissed Joe off, in preseason, and Joe organized a basketball game between the Boston media versus Joe and the Celtics coaching staff.

We all know how the coaching staff demolished the Boston media in that game.

So if you believe Joe is coaching to lose, you're not reading it right.

[jmr07019]

Mazulla is coaching to lose. He's not even trying to hide it.

Maybe. I think he's just overrated and had an incredibly talented roster in the past. Brad definitely wasn't trying to win with this frontcourt.

[CelticFaninLBC]

Read on Twitter

Middleton out tonight. Can't count this as a win...

[Parliament10]

Watch on YouTube

[Fierce1]

Look at the Pacers now.

They're missing they're best player Haliburton and they're just 1-6.
Even Nesmith is playing poorly after getting a contract extension last month.

Siakam is the 2nd option and he's playing.

Pacers and Celtics are on the same boat, but the Celtics are just better.

There's a bigger chance Pacers end up with a lottery pick than the Celts.

[Fierce1]

Mazulla is coaching to lose. He's not even trying to hide it.

Maybe. I think he's just overrated and had an incredibly talented roster in the past. Brad definitely wasn't trying to win with this frontcourt.

Brad Stevens went from #7 or #8 pick in 2015 to #7 seed in the playoffs after getting Isaiah Thomas.

That 2015 Celtics team had a frontcourt of Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Bass, and Tyler Zeller.
Even that team won 40 games.

It takes time to find the right mix after losing KP, Al, and Luke.

[Parliament10]

I'm not in favor of a Tank.
But. let's get to 20 Games, and re-evaluate where this Team is going.

[Fierce1]

I'm not in favor of a Tank.
But. let's get to 20 Games, and re-evaluate where this Team is going.

It will be around 50 games because trade deadline is February.
By that time the Cs would have played 50 games.

But the remaining 32 games is enough games for a tank job.
That's if that's the direction the Cs are headed.

If Tatum returns then tanking will not be an option.

[bisme37]

Omg it's time for the big game you guys this is crazy

Enjoy

[Parliament10]

Having Pritchard in the Starting Lineup, doesn't work for Winning. It causes White to be the #2 Option, and Pritchard the #3.
Simons should be the #2, and White the #3.

[brackdan70]

Doesn’t count, Middleton is out.

[playa-hater]

Mazulla is coaching to lose. He's not even trying to hide it.

Maybe. I think he's just overrated and had an incredibly talented roster in the past. Brad definitely wasn't trying to win with this frontcourt.

Now this is something I agree, one hundred percent with.