Will Bos@Cle be viewed by both teams as meaningless?

campybatman · Post #1 » by **campybatman** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:10 am

That is, Grande and Maxwell believe that by the time the two teams meet on April twelfth. It'll be a meaningless game and wouldn't be surprised if you likely see both teams resting starters. The belief is that Cleveland will have home court advantage clinched already.

Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Could Rivers simply rest players a lot during the month of April or for the Cleavland game.

April schedule

vs Charlotte
vs Atlanta
vs New Jersey
vs Miami
@ Cleveland
@ Philadelphia
vs Washington

MVP16 · Post #2 » by **MVP16** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:27 am

I don't think so. Cleveland will probably still be fighting with LA for overall best record and we'll probably be fighting for the 2nd seed and trying to regain chemistry for the playoffs with the injured players coming back. Plus it's Cleveland-Boston, I think both teams want to send the other a message. And since Boston will have to win a game in Cleveland if they face them in the playoffs, it will be good to get a win there during the regular season to break that wall. The only game where we might be "resting" players in the last game against Washington. All the injured players including KG probably need to get as many games in anyways to get the rhythm and conditioning back.

SonicYouth34 · Post #3 » by **SonicYouth34** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:47 am

Not to the players, KG takes every game seriously. But to the me, I could care less. I just want our boys to be healthy and for them to win 16 games in the playoffs.

MaxwellSmart · Post #4 » by **MaxwellSmart** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:56 am

the '86 C's Home record of 40-1 is on the line...so it's meaningful to me.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #5 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:42 am

MaxwellSmart wrote:the '86 C's Home record of 40-1 is on the line...so it's meaningful to me.

I was just gonna say this...I want so bad for Cleveland to NOT share the record with the C's....

Athanacropolis · Post #6 » by **Athanacropolis** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:52 pm

MaxwellSmart wrote:the '86 C's Home record of 40-1 is on the line...so it's meaningful to me.

Beat me to it. I can see Pierce and KG giving the team a talk about preserving this record. With a lot of curse words.

Joebiscuit · Post #7 » by **Joebiscuit** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:02 pm

For the cavs it will be meaningless because they will have pretty much clinched homecourt by then. For this celtics it will not be because they need every win possible to get the 2nd seed.

Frank Lucas · Post #8 » by **Frank Lucas** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:05 pm

I think the game will be meaningful for both teams but I feel it's more meaningful for the Cs. They don't need to rest people because outside of Paul Pierce everyone has miss games this season. I think you by the time this game comes along we should be focus on play-offs and getting team chemistry in order. I could careless about the Cavs home court record, the Cs just need to win and set their rotation. Shoot KG's been resting for a month, Ray Allen isn't going to play a game for the next 2 weeks so he should have fresh legs. The only one I worry about is Paul Pierce but he's a gamer and I feel like Paul Pierce has his best basketball ahead of him. So I think all the April games are meaningful and not meaningless.

aboubata · Post #9 » by **aboubata** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:25 pm

just for the simple reason of making a statement.
Celtics want to prove they could win in Cleveland
Cleveland want to prove they got home court and are going to protect it and use it.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #10 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:37 pm

As long as we spoil them tying the '86 C's, that's all I care about...

campybatman · Post #11 » by **campybatman** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:13 pm

It's important for Boston to play out the remaining games on the schedule simply to regain a rhythm of playing together as a starting five. And for the reserves to return to their regular rotation minutes. I think Walker has benefited the most from these unfortunate circumstances. You would've liked for Pruitt to emerge as well. But, let's not reach.

Having your young players continue to grow and gain confidence is what's key. Those that are stepping up in their limited opportunities have been benefiting or they've showed signed of turning a corner. It's these few reserves that one must place their confidence in. The veterans, Marbury and Moore, you hope follow along. Because you can only give them so much slack on the rope. Boston doesn't have the benefit of extending the regular season longer. They both are really going to have to show more improvements in April. Neither is to the point where you can begin to rely on them. They're both in default status.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #12 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:24 pm

^bonsai, I agree...just like in football, you don't want to back into the playoffs...you want to be playing your best ball heading in...

SuigintouEV · Post #13 » by **SuigintouEV** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:50 pm

i kind of think the whole "show we can win in thier building" stuff is meaningless...

if anything, for a road game, you'd rather just surprise them in thier building and then come home and take the series.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #14 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:04 pm

SuigintouEV wrote:i kind of think the whole "show we can win in thier building" stuff is meaningless...

if anything, for a road game, you'd rather just surprise them in thier building and then come home and take the series.

Well yeah of course, but to plant a seed of doubt heading into the playoffs would be good...

jimbrewer · Post #15 » by **jimbrewer** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:16 pm

Cavs fan....I come in peace. No way either team takes this lightly. Some of you may remember the Cavs and Celtics almost brawling a few years back in a PRESEASON game. These teams don't like each other. That fact along with the previously mentioned reasons ensure it will be a real game.

campybatman · Post #16 » by **campybatman** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:22 pm

Consider this: If Boston wins in Cleveland in April. That would serve as a source of aggravation to Cleveland for losing to Boston at home. Wouldn't that motivate them even more to win at home during the playoffs if they should meet Boston in a series? So, I don't necessarily believe that you send a message to Cleveland that would concern them if you can defeat them there during the regular season. See, if the Cavaliers win all their home games versus Boston during the regular season. Hypothetically, one could say that Cleveland could get relaxed in the playoffs believing that a home win against Boston is a sure thing. Not to say that this will be the case for Cleveland against Boston during the playoffs given that they've been dominant at home during the regular season. Meaning I doubt this team will lose sight of that this season.

As long as the game remains competitive and Boston's able to to remind Cleveland that they're indeed a team that's capable when healthy of presenting a challenge to them at their place. That is, the game's a close lost for Boston as oppose to a blowout. I'll feel unperturbed about the Celtics chances in a series with this team no matter the outcome for Boston in this game.

3pt % · Post #17 » by **3pt %** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:15 pm

Pierce and Lebron always go hard at each other.

No way either team is backing down for this one.

Its a 'let loose the dawgs of war" game baby.