Boston Celtics: Five Reasons Why the Next Eight Games Will Be the Most Telling
The Boston Celtics, now 35-10, are winners of seven of their last eight and are coming off an 88-78 win at Portland. This time last year the Celtics were six games worse at 29-16.
With close to half the season still remaining, Boston gets back the services of Kendrick Perkins. Perkins missed the first half of the season due to an ACL injury sustained in Game six of the NBA Finals.
The next eight games on their schedule come against some of the league's elite competition. Two games come against Bryant's Lakers, and they host games against Dallas, Miami, and Orlando. Their next game is at Phoenix, who has won three of it's last four at home.
Here are the five reasons the next eight game stretch maybe the most significant stretch all season for the Celtics.
No. 5: Kendrick Perkins Returns
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Earlier this week, Perkins made his season debut for the Celtics against the Cavaliers. Since his return, he has made his minutes count.
In the combined 38 minutes of play in the two games, Perkins has had 17 points and 15 rebounds. Nine of his rebounds game last night at Portland, where defensively he forced difficult shots.
Early in the game, Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge had his rhythm disrupted left and right. In his limited minutes, Perkins played physical interior defense.
His ability to defend one-on-one on Aldridge and Przybilla while on the court helped other Celtics make plays in the passing lanes and create turnovers.
Against the Lakers, Magic, and Dallas, a presence in the interior will be crucial. Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Dirk Nowitzki are all players that would give Celtics' Semih Erden and Glen Davis countless problems.
The addition of Perkins allows for more one-on-one defense in the post, allowing the Celtics to match-up better defensively.
No. 4: Revenge on The Lakers
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Of course it's not "actually" revenge, considering its only a regular season game.
Yet, make no mistake, the playoff atmosphere will be overwhelming in both games.
Since their mid-season slump, the Lakers are back to their winning ways. Winners of their last seven at home, they will be a force to reckon with. Not to mention their last home game was a 29 point beat-down against a respected Utah Jazz team.
After losing their last two against the Lakers, which happened to be games six and seven of the NBA Finals, the Celtics evidently need these games more than the Lakers. The confidence boost would certainly help.
After squaring off this Sunday at Staples Center, the two teams meet again February 10th in TD Garden.
No. 3: Finish Off The Chatter
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It's time for the Celtics to put an end to the Heat's talk, or for the Heat to put a foot down and make a statement.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are finally gelling in South Beach, making a turnaround since the team's 9-8 start. Two of the eight losses were victories by the Celtics, including the season opener.
The Heat, now 31-14, won 21 of 22 games since the 9-8 start. The two losses came at a time when the Heat hadn't found themselves just yet. They were new to one another and were yet to establish any sort of rhythm.
February 13th will be a different story, featuring two teams looking to hold bragging rights. The much improved Heat have many believing they have the upper-hand against Boston, despite losing their last two against them.
It has the makings for a good one, to say the least.
No. 2: Perkins Against Howard
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Last time the two teams squared off, Shaq did his best to try and contain Howard, despite facing foul trouble throughout the game.
Howard got the best of him, scoring 33 points to go along with 13 rebounds.
This time Perkins will have to try and answer the call, hoping to stay out of foul trouble and help clean up the boards. If O'Neal is healthy by the February 6th match-up, look for him to match-up one-on-one with Howard as well.
No. 1: The Best Of The Best
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The numbers speak for themselves.
The upcoming eight game stretch is arguably the most difficult the Celtics will have faced all season. During the stretch, four of the eight games are away, and five games come against teams .500 or better.
The four teams .500 or better in the stretch are a combined 66 games over .500. The Cetlics take on the likes of the Lakers, Mavericks, Magic, and Heat.
Despite the fact its "just the regular season," the next eight games will feature playoff-like atmospheres and physical play. If the Celtics wish to make their case for being the best team in the league, these next few games will be telling.
Other games come against a Nash led Suns team and at Sacramento. Both teams thrive at home and it will be anything but a walk in the park to beat either squad.
Expect the Cs to be tested as much as they have all season in the next two weeks.
