Boston Celtics: Predicting the Outcome for Every Game in January

The Boston Celtics are now 3-3, after starting the season 0-3 and searching for answers in every which way.

The once Truth-less Celtics now have Paul Pierce back in the lineup and putting up impressive numbers for this team, as the play of his teammates has improved in the process. The Celtics were without a win on the season prior to the return of Pierce.

Will the Celtics have continued success in the month of January? Is the return of Pierce essentially the return of the Boston Celtics team as playoff contenders?

These are the predicted outcomes for each of the remaining games in the month of January for these new-look Celtics.

Boston Celtics vs. New Jersey Nets, Celtics Win

This game makes up one of the four consecutive games the Celtics will be playing at TD Garden in Boston, as they easily should have the upper-hand over the struggling New Jersey Nets.

With the exception of Deron Williams at the PG spot and Kris Humphries at PF, this is a team that has failed to produce much of anything in their first six games. The team currently stands at 1-5 on the year.

Keeping Humphries off the boards will be key in this contest. Averaging over 10 rebounds per game last year, he has not dropped off in that department this year.

The undefeated Celtics playing at home will mean an easy win for the team. Getting All-Star Paul Pierce back has been key for this team, as they are 3-0 with "The Truth" back in the lineup.

Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers, Celtics Win

In a game where Paul Pierce will be the difference-maker for this ball club, expect the Celtics to run away with this one against the Indiana Pacers.

Despite their 4-1 record, the Pacers have beaten the following teams: Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime, New Jersey Nets, Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons. Each of these teams were far from playoff contention last season and look to be struggling teams this season. 

With the advantage of hosting this game in TD Garden, the Celtics take care of business at home and go through Pierce on the offensive end.

Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks, Celtics Win

In a game that will feature two championship contenders, it will be the Celtics' All-Star PG Rajon Rondo stepping up to the plate.

This Celtics team can breathe a sigh of relief this time, however.

The 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks have struggled mightily to open up the season, failing to stay above .500 and currently sitting at 2-4 on the season. The team started out 0-3 with losses to the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

With the exception of the loss to the Thunder, a game that the Mavs had won, the Mavericks failed to stand a chance in either contest. Both losses were double-digit losses for the team.

Expect the Celtics to pick up the win at home, further boosting their confidence after the 0-3 start without Pierce in the rotation.

Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls, Celtics Lose

What a show for fans to watch in TD Garden on Jan. 13.

Two of the league's elite point guards in Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo will go at it in what seldom seems to be a dull matchup. Watching the two dynamic athletes go at it is always something to watch for fans and spectators.

The Bulls are winners of their last two games against the Celtics dating back to last season, as the team should have their way with the Celtics in this one. Expect Rose and company to put to the pressure on early defensively, as they are yet to lose a step from last season.

Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau has implemented a sense of urgency on the defensive end and the team has responded well. Failing to lose a step from last season, the Bulls will look to bring this defense against the Celtics and in turn steal a game from the C's in Boston.

Boston Celtics @ Indiana Pacers, Celtics Lose

Despite their strong play up until this point, the Celtics will take a two-game skid at this point in January.

With a shot at redemption and the ball in their court, it has to be believed that this Indiana Pacers team will have its way in this one.

Playing at Indiana hasn't been an easy win for the Celtics in the past. The last time they played there to close out last season, the team dropped the game 107-100 at the hands of Roy Hibbert and his 26-point performance.

Given this will be a revenge game for a strong Pacers team, they should edge out the Celtics in the final minutes of this contest.

Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Celtics Win

In what will be Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook's fourth game in six days, expect the Thunder to lose a game that goes down to the wire against this Boston Celtics team.

The Thunder face arguably their toughest stretch of their schedule heading into the contest, taking on the Houston Rockets twice, Portland Trailblazers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Talk about a hefty schedule.

In a matchup where Rajon Rondo seems to get things going, expect the Celtics to edge out what will be a tired, tested ball club. Rondo will have to slow down the pace of the game against a faster, more athletic Thunder team and make the game a half-court battle.

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors, Celtics Win

Playing at home against an inconsistent Raptors team will spell victory for these Boston Celtics in this one.

Andrea Bargnani has been the key scoring threat for this team to start the season, featuring games of 28 and 30 points. Yet both of these performances resulted in Raptors' losses.

The 2-3 Raptors should look to only find themselves in a deeper hole when its time to face the Celtics, as a streaking Celtics team should have their way with Toronto in Boston.

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns, Celtics Win

The Celtics should have a three-game win streak to its name after back-to-back losses to the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers.

The play of Rajon Rondo will be key in this one, as All-Star Steve Nash will have his hands full defensively with this matchup. Despite being known as one of the more talented points guards of this era, Nash is known for his lack of effectiveness on the defensive end at times.

The 2-3 Suns face a relatively tough schedule prior to the contest, facing Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks on the road before coming to Boston.

In a matchup where Rondo will thrive, expect the Celtics to Beantown boogie in this one.

Boston Celtics @ Washington Wizards, Celtics Win

It is clear that the Boston Celtics has had its way with the Washington Wizards, winning both games against Washington to start off the month of January.

With the team's most recent victory coming at Washington, there is no question the Celtics should take care of business and take their record to 3-0 against the struggling Washington Wizards.

Expect Rajon Rondo to push the tempo from the opening tip-off in this one, as he has had much success playing against the Wizards this season. In the two meetings, Rondo is averaging 12 points, 13.5 assists and nine rebounds. In the first meeting between the two, Rondo posted his first triple-double of the season.

Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic in Back-to-Back Games, Teams Split Series

In what will be a tough set of back-to-back games for both teams, both the Celtics and Magic will pick up wins on their home court.

With a win in Boston in the first of the two games, the Celtics will move to 11-5 on the season at this point. Meanwhile, the inconsistent play of the Orlando Magic will pick up at home, where they have looked to be a significantly better ball club.

Kevin Garnett will be the key to victory in the first meeting on the defensive end, as center Dwight Howard will try to have his way with the C's offensively. Look for Howard to get the best of this matchup in Orlando.

Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers, Celtics Win

In a game that Danny Granger and David West will try and contain the offensive production of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen will come up big for this Boston Celtics team.

This will be the third meeting between the two teams this month, as the Celtics should take the 2-1 advantage in the season series.

Undefeated at home this season, the Celtics should still hold strong at home coming into this contest. 

Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in Back-to-Back Games, Celtics Go 2-0

The Boston Celtics go up against what was easily the worst team in the NBA last season, as Paul Pierce should have his way with a weak Cavaliers defense.

Last season Pierce averaged 16 points per game while shooting 50 percent from distance and from the field in just 26 minutes per game.

Talk about impressive.

Make no mistake about it, when its all said and done, the Celtics will finish the month strong with consecutive victories against one of the league's weaker teams. 

Summary:

Losses:

vs. Chicago Bulls

@ Indiana Pacers

@ Orlando Magic

January Record: 13-3

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