Upcoming schedule

[jmc@ptc.com (Jonathan McIntyre)]

Someone asked how long it took the Celtics to get 4 wins last year. 
You can get answers to questions about last year at the Web site: 

	http://www.nba.com/Celtics/schedule_9697.html

It shows that the celtics got their 4th win in their 12th game by beating 
the LA Lakers by 16 points, but then they didn't win their 5th until 
their 19th game, and didn't win their 6th until their 27th game. 

The Celtics' upcoming schedule looks very favorable.  They have a game 
in Toronto after a couple days off, so they should go in there rested and 
motivated to win, since Toronto caused injuries to 2 key Celtics players 
Friday night. 

They play in New Jersey the next night, so they probably won't win that one. 
Then they play NJ again next Friday on national TV in the FleetCenter, 
and assuming the loss on Wednesday, that should be enough to motivate 
them to a win over NJ on Friday. 

Then they play 3 tough opponents, but all at home, and with one or two 
days "off" before each game.  They play Detroit on Sunday the 23rd, then 
the LA Lakers on Wed the 26th and Phoenix on Fri the 28th.  Pitino often 
says how he doesn't get enough time to run full practices, and when they 
do have time to practice, he feels they improve a lot.  The Celtics
should be able to get a lot of practice done on the 22nd, 24th & 25th,
then take the 27th off to feast on Thanksgiving dinner.

With all the preparation and lack of travel, the Celtics should be able 
to pull out an upset against one of those 3 teams.  

So it seems very possible that the Celtics could have 7W, 8L at that 
point, but look for the losses to pile up in December as the schedule 
gets less friendly. 
 
After playing in Cleveland Saturday the 29th, the Celtics have 3 days off 
before playing the Bulls at home again.  That should be an interesting 
game.  A rested, prepared Celtics team against a revenge-minded, better 
conditioned Bulls team.  

Jon Mc