Boston Celtics: Win-Loss Projections for the Month of April

If there's one thing Kevin Garnett and his Boston Celtics know, this month of April is crunch time for this basketball team.

With just weeks left until the NBA playoffs, the Celtics (28-22), have gone 13-5 since the NBA All-Star break. Yet, the month of April will boast arguably the most difficult set of games this season for this team.

In those 15 games, the Celtics will take on the Miami Heat three times, the Atlanta Hawks twice, the Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls, the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs.

These veteran Celtics will face a more difficult road than they have had to face all season.

These are the predictions for each game in April for the Boston Celtics.

Earn April 1 Win over Miami Heat but Lose Two of Three, Celtics 1-2 vs. Heat

In April, the Boston Celtics face the Miami Heat more times than any other opponent, They will face the LeBron James-led team three times in the month.

The Heat have struggled a bit as of late, losing two of the team's last three games in their most recent stretch.

On the national stage on ABC, the Celtics will get the best of the Heat, as it will be a story of momentum in this contest. The Celtics are coming into the contest winning five of their last six games in what has arguably been the team's best stretch of the season.

Expect Rajon Rondo to be the difference maker in the first game, giving the Celtics the win to start off the month. Yet when the Heat meet the Celtics the other two times in April, more than likely the Heat will have made their adjustments and will push to compete with the Bulls for the No. 1 seed.

They will likely take the next two games from Boston.

April 4 vs. San Antonio Spurs, Celtics Win

Since the Big Three were assembled prior to the start of the 2007-08 season, the Boston Celtics have had their fair share of success against the San Antonio Spurs.

In the five seasons, the Celtics are 6-2 against the Spurs and 3-1 in the last two seasons.

The key in a Celtics win will be the play of Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett, as the two have helped the Celtics win basketball games time and time again in recent outings.

The step up play from Bass in the starting rotation has been a difference maker—his impact inside will be significant in a win for Boston. In 35 minutes in the team's last outing against the Utah Jazz, Bass posted 19 points and four rebounds on 7-for-17 shooting.

April 5 at Chicago Bulls, Celtics Win

Avery Bradley, backup PG to Rajon Rondo this season, has stepped up in a big way as of late for the Celtics and will be a key factor in the Celtics picking up the win in Chicago.

As the season heads into its final stretch, head coach Doc Rivers has a tendency to give major playing time to players like Bradley in order to have them in tip-top shape for the playoffs. Players like Bradley, Bass and Marquis Daniels will be getting their chance to shine and make an impact in a meaningful game.

Considering the injuries to Derrick Rose and the hot streak the Celtics take with them into the month, it should be enough to take down the Chicago Bills in this one. Expect Bradley to be a major factor with his hounding, top-notch defensive play.

April 7 at Indiana Pacers, Celtics Lose

The Indiana Pacers are notorious for being one of the more mediocre, underachieving organizations in the last handful of seasons in the league.

Yet this season, they have proved the doubters wrong, boasting a 30-20 record on the season and strong wins throughout.

Make no mistake about it, Rivers will exhaust Brandon Bass, Kevin Garnett and Greg Stiemsma in an effort to slow sown Roy Hibbert and the streaking Pacers. Yet in the third game the team will play in four days, the C's will fall.

This season the Celtics have struggled with the Pacers, dropping two of the three games in their meetings.

Expect the Pacers to pick up the convincing win, finishing the season 3-1 over the Celtics.

April 8 vs. Philadelphia, Celtics Lose

The Philadelphia 76ers are simply too young, too talented and too fast-paced for these Boston Celtics to keep up with in the course of a 48-minute contest.

This season, the Celtics have played the 76ers twice, and both times were blown out and flat out embarrassed.

By no means are the Celtics incapable of beating the 76ers, as in many respects they are the better basketball team, but when these two teams match up, it is clear Philly gets a favorable matchup.

Expect the 76ers' fast-paced, transition-predicated play to give them an advantage in this one.

Celtics Steal Both Games from Atlanta Hawks in April

In the team's most recent game at Atlanta, the Celtics were three-point winners in what was a tough defensive contest.

In what will be two games of hardcore defensive efforts from both sides, the Celtics will take both games in the month against the Hawks.

Rajon Rondo will be the key in these two wins, as he holds the major matchup advantage when these two teams meet. In the last meeting between the two sides, Rondo posted a game-high 13 assists in the victory.

April 13 at Toronto Raptors, Celtics Win

Boasting a 2-1 record against the Toronto Raptors this season, the Celtics will pick up their third win against them this season with a win in April.

In an anticipated point guard duel between Rajon Rondo and Calderon, it will take the offense of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to help the troops pick up a win on the road.

In a convincing victory, expect the Celtics to take care of business here.

April 14 at New Jersey, Celtics Win

In spite of the poor season these New Jersey Nets have posted in the 2011-12 campaign, it will take a big-time effort for these Celtics to get a win at New Jersey.

Yet with a pushing for a higher playoff seeding in the last few weeks, this will be a game where the Celtics will undoubtedly come out on top.

The key in this game will be the guard play for the Celtics, as it will take the top-notch efforts of both Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to get the win in New Jersey. Bradley will also be key off the bench, as his defense on Deron Williams could be the difference maker in this one.

April 15 at Charlotte Bobcats, Celtics Win

Boasting two convincing wins over arguably the worst team in the league in the Charlotte Bobcats, the team should have no trouble picking up a third win to close out the season with a series sweep.

The Celtics have the clear advantage both offensively and defensively, in spite of putting forth inconsistent offensive performances throughout the course of this season.

In a lopsided matchup in Charlotte, expect the Celtics to play the bench a significant portion of the game in what will be a win for the team.

April 17 at New York Knicks, Celtics Lose

With Jeremy Lin, Carmelo Anthony and Ama're Stoudemire coming to town, there is no doubt this could be the most intriguing game of the month for the Celtics.

After facing heavy criticism with the struggles to have Anthony and Lin gel on the court, the team has now started to win games consistently. The Knicks boast one of the more high-powered, talented offenses in the NBA and are finally beginning to make the most of their firepower.

In what should be a game that goes down to the wire, expect a fatigued Celtics team to fall just short of picking up the win at Madison Square Garden.

April 18 vs. Orlando Magic, Celtics Win

Rajon Rondo and company go up against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic in the final handful of games of the season. This will be a game where the Celtics handle the Magic easily.

Howard, as he usually tends to do against the undersized Celtics, will put up monster numbers by dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. Yet against this proven defense, the Magic will fail to hit jump shots and score enough points to keep the game close in the second half.

The Celtics should be able to find their way offensively in this one, led by an effort from Paul Pierce in the victory.

April 26 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, Celtics Win

Although head coach Doc Rivers is likely to rest Paul Pierce and the Big Three for the majority of the contest, expect Pierce to make the most of his few minutes on the court.

The Celtics should take this contest in spite of not playing the starters their typical minutes, as the bench has started to make strong strides heading into the month of April.

Bradley, Stiemsma and rookies E'Twaun Moore and Johnson will also prove their worth in this contest, with Bradley leading the way for the squad in the win.

Month Summary

After struggling to win games consistently for the better part of the season, the Celtics seem to have a grasp on their play since the All-Star break. They have shown an improved effort offensively, a commitment to tough defense and have had the bench playing at the highest level they have played at all season.

Carrying this momentum into April, the Celtics will finish the season with a strong ending stretch in spite of the strong competition they will face. This is an experienced, talented ball club with the determination to pull through.

April Record: 10-5

Losses: Heat (2), 76ers, Pacers, Knicks