Are Celtics still favorites?

Boognish · Post #1 » by **Boognish** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:31 pm

While the Celtics have been impressive at home thus far in the playoffs, they have yet to win on the road, facing the Hawks and Cavs, who aren't legit contenders (it's my opinion, don't kill me Cavs fans).

Assuming they advance, what's gonna happen when they play Detroit/Orlando or the winner of the west? I'm not sure there will be room for error, as these teams will punish you if you come out complacent. Shouls the Cs be worried or are they still favorites?

What are Boston's current chances of winning it all?

Thoughts?

legacyinthemakin89c · Post #2 » by **legacyinthemakin89c** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:35 pm

Well until they lose at home, very good. They don't ever have to win a road game on the playoffs. So I still think they're the favorites.

Boognish · Post #3 » by **Boognish** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:39 pm

Yes, Boston has home court, but if they're dropping road games to the Hawks and Cavs, what will happen when they play better teams?

Post #4 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:42 pm

Didn't the lakers drop a home game to the Cavs this year?

Troubadour · Post #5 » by **Troubadour** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:48 pm

Any team that has Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen should be favoured to win a championship.

The Laker Kid · Post #6 » by **The Laker Kid** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:02 pm

IMO the Celts are still the favorites.

Boognish · Post #7 » by **Boognish** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:03 pm

The Celtics dropping games to far lesser teams in significant playoff games doesn't change your view of them at all?

Coming into the playoffs, it seemed like Boston wasn't expected to hit a bump at least until the ECF. And even if they're still favored, I think it's now to a lesser degree. My point was to see how their inconsistant play has changed how they're perceived

JordansBulls · Post #8 » by **JordansBulls** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:04 pm

The team with HC Advantage throughout is the favorite.

Boognish · Post #9 » by **Boognish** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:18 pm

OK, but are they less favored than they were before the playoffs? They no longer seem like the 'team of destiny' they were made out to be all year and it seems like the cracks in their armor is showing

srt4b · Post #10 » by **srt4b** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:19 pm

JordansBulls wrote:The team with HC Advantage throughout is the favorite.

How has that worked out the last 10 years?

Blame Rasho · Post #11 » by **Blame Rasho** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:21 pm

They aren't a cut above everyone like I thought they were coming into the playoffs...

Post #12 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:28 pm

They should have problems with teams with multiple offensive threats, but that's not saying they can't beat them.

JustinSane · Post #13 » by **JustinSane** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:30 pm

As a Pistons fan, before the playoffs started I thought the Celtics had probably an 80% chance of coming out of the East. Now I think, if Billups heals before the series starts, Pistons-Celtics would basically be a toss-up if it comes to pass. They clearly look more mortal.

HarlemHeat37 · Post #14 » by **HarlemHeat37** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:33 pm

they're one of the favorites, but I'm expecting the Pistons to beat them if Billups is healthy..

High 5 · Post #15 » by **High 5** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:38 pm

The Pistons will be able to get at least one on the road. I don't see Boston making the Finals. I thought they'd lose to the Cavs (obviously it isn't over yet, but the Cavs missed their best chance in game 1), but I didn't anticipate LeBron playing so poorly.

Rasheeed!!! · Post #16 » by **Rasheeed!!!** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:42 pm

they look very poor on the road, and its reasonable to assume they won't win all home games.....especially if they face Lakers, Spurs or Noh.

Relentless88 · Post #17 » by **Relentless88** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:47 pm

They've dominated at home except for the second Cavs game I believe.
They've got home court throughout the playoffs meaning they don't have to win a road game if they can keep winning all their home games.

So, yes, I think they're still the favorites to win it all, but I still think the Lakers are better and will win the championship this year.

_BBIB_ · Post #18 » by **_BBIB_** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:54 pm

Last time I checked the Celtics have Home Court Advantage THROUGHOUT the post-season.

So they don't necessarily have to be great on the road.

Do they look beatable? Sure.

But so does every team in the post-season thus far. Lakers can look weak defensively at times. Pistons are a Jekyll and Hyde team. Spurs look old at times. Jazz really stink on the road. Hornets have mental lapses at times.

Given the big 3 and the way the Celtics are committed defensively and the homecourt advantage they have, how can they not be the favorites?

Blame Rasho · Post #19 » by **Blame Rasho** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:10 pm

Given that they had to go to 7 games vs a team that was below .500 for the season gives us more than enough reasons why people should doubt them being favorites...

Post #20 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:12 pm

No champion has ever gone through the playoffs without winning 2 on the road.