Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
There was a time not that long ago when the Boston Celtics were the last team anyone wanted to see in their building.
They were a scrappy bunch that consistently found ways to win on the road.
But the days of being road warriors seem to be behind them now, as the Celtics’ struggles away from the TD Garden continue with Tuesday’s 103-98 loss at Indiana.
Boston now have a losing road record (16-17) with losses in five of their last six road games.
CSNNE – Crowder’s absence felt in C’s 103-98 loss to Pacers
NBA momentum is a strange thing. It comes and goes suddenly and mysteriously. Every fan knows the feeling: your team gets a big first-half lead and then has to hold on desperately when The Big Mo swings and the other team mounts a comeback. It’s the hardest type of game to watch. If your guys end up losing, “they blew it.” If they win, “they almost blew it.”
When you’re hot, you come up with the NBA Play of the Day. When you’re not, you’re victimized by a crazy buzzer-beating three off a loose-ball scramble. It’s the Murphy’s Law of sports.
That’s sort of what’s happening to the Celtics now with the Eastern standings. All season long they’ve been the feel-good story, the overachievers who less than two weeks ago had won five straight, were 13 games above .500, and held third place in the conference by two games. There was even some talk about possibly catching up to Toronto. Except…
The momentum has vanished abruptly and the Celtics unexpectedly look vulnerable. They’ve lost three of their last four, and two straight for the first time since January 18 and 20. In each of the back-to-back losses, they scored just 98 points and shot below 40% from the field. They were just 8-31 on threes versus Houston, and slightly worse against Indiana at 8-32. Obviously, the Olynyk and Crowder injuries are serious complications.
The next two opponents are Oklahoma City at home and Toronto on the road. If everything was humming, we’d have confidence that Boston would win those. But it’s not, so we’re looking at what might become a four-game skid. That’s terrible timing, since Miami has now tied the Cs for third, and Atlanta and Charlotte are creeping up.
So everything sucks now. But since this team never gives up, there’s plenty of hope. If Jae returns after the expected two weeks, that will be just in time for a five-game West Coast trip. Assuming KO is also back by then, that trek might be just what the Cs need to regain momentum for the end of the schedule, with four of the last five games at home. Keep your fingers crossed.
Related: ESPN Boston – Jae Crowder’s absence obvious as Celtics fall in Indiana | MassLive – With Jae Crowder out, the Boston Celtics’ need for Kelly Olynyk grows
On Page 2: Meanwhile, at the bottom…
Last week, the Sixers did us a favor by beating Brooklyn and pushing the Nets lower in the standings. Philly couldn’t repeat the feat, however, losing to the Nets last night. According to the Tankathon standings, the Nets/Celtics currently have the fourth-best chance at the No. 1 pick. Phoenix right now stands one game below Brooklyn, and therefore has the third-best chance.
The good news is, of Brooklyn’s remaining 15 games, 10 are against teams that are currently above .500. Meanwhile, Phoenix has just five out of 15 games versus above-.500 teams (one being Boston).
Even if the Cs don’t get the No. 1 pick, they’ll still get a potentially great player. Remember when Ben Simmons was the consensus top guy? The second-guessing has begun.
Now, whether Ainge wants Simmons or someone else, who knows? But the more chance that a top prospect slides down, the better that Nets pick looks. That scenario has worked out for the Celtics in the past.
Meanwhile: Go, Suns!
And, finally: Wearing o’ the green…socks
The St. Patrick’s Day socks from @StanceHoops that the Celtics will wear this month: pic.twitter.com/NatsJ6sAuk
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) March 15, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWith St. Patrick’s Day coming tomorrow, let’s see if the Celts wear these wild socks tonight. Hopefully with the best Celtics uniform of all time.
The Rest of the Links:
MassLive – Isaiah Thomas scores 21 points, but Boston Celtics fall short against Indiana Pacers, 103-98
NESN – Celtics Notes: Marcus Smart Produces Mixed Results In Jae Crowder’s Absence
CSNNE – Stars, studs and duds: Tough night shooting for C’s | Jerebko: ‘Doesn’t matter how I play if we lose’
Herald – Celtics can’t keep up the Pace | Celtics notebook: Rookie Rozier takes active role
Globe – Pacers surge past Jae Crowder-less Celtics
Hoops Hype – The best Evan Turner quotes ever
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