Boston Celtics: 5 Questions Doc Rivers Needs To Answer As the NBA Playoffs Near

The Boston Celtics are officially in the last leg of the NBA regular season, and there are still as many questions to be answered as there were when the season began.

Doc Rivers will have to juggle some questions in order to prepare the team for its first-round playoff matchup. Is the rotation set? Should the bench get more minutes to rest the starters? Where do Jermaine O’Neal and Shaq fit in?

Then there is the balancing act of answering these questions while still vying for the top seed in the East. The Celtics held the spot for most of the year but now could wind up as low as the No. 3 seed, and that would mean having to potentially beat Chicago and Miami without home-court advantage.

It’s a difficult situation for Doc, to say the least.

The Remaining Schedule

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 25: Members of the Chicago Bulls including (L-R) Carlos Boozer #5, Kyle Korver #26, Taj Gibson #22, Omer Asik #3, Kurt Thomas #40, Derrick Rose #1, Loul Deng #9 and Keith Bogans #6 huddle before a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at

Mar. 28 @ Pacers

Mar. 31 @ Spurs

Apr. 1 @ Hawks

Apr. 3 Pistons

Apr. 5 Sixers

Apr. 7 @ Bulls

Apr. 8 Wizards

Apr. 10 @ Heat

Apr. 11 @ Wizards

Apr. 13 Knicks

First, before the questions, here is the Celtics' remaining schedule. At first glance, they could easily go an uninspired 5-5 over their remaining 10 games. 

Based off the schedule alone, I’d predict losses to the Spurs, Hawks (second night of a back-to-back), Bulls, Heat and one of the last two games.

Should the Starters Get More Rest?

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Paul Pierce #34 and Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics react after teammate Nenad Krstic #4 is called for a foul in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 23, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE T

One of the most important questions for Doc to answer over the next 10 games is whether the starters should get any additional rest before going into the playoffs.

Right now it doesn’t look possible. The Celtics can’t afford to let their best players sit while their hope rests on the talents of the second unit.

It would be good to see the second unit get more PT to prep for the playoffs, but not at the expense of falling to the No. 3 seed behind Miami.

Is the Playoff Rotation Set?

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 16: Jeff Green #8 is congratulated by Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics as Green is pulled from the game on March 16, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 92-80. NOTE TO USER: User expr

Right now the Celtics are playing with only eight reliable players. The bench rotation currently consists of only Glen Davis, Jeff Green and Delonte West. Troy Murphy, Carlos Arroyo, Sasha Pavlovic, etc. have all been reduced to minimal involvement in the rotation.

Doc would have to ask himself if this is the best rotation possible. It looks like it, because you will hopefully be able to add Shaq and/or Jermaine O’Neal to the mix to balance out the second unit.

How Will the Center Minutes Be Divided?

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled while shooting by Shaquille O'Neal #36 of the Boston Celtics in the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty

Speaking of Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal, how will Doc Rivers divide up the center minutes in playoffs?

If all three centers are healthy, the best lineup would be to have Shaq start the game and then bring in Nenad Krstic, while Jermaine sits. 

Doc should call on Shaq to start because he’s a tone-setter. He’s the best of the bigs and allows the Celtics to assert themselves. Krstic can enter the game as a change of pace guy. He’s much better suited to match up against second-unit guys who can’t expose his defensive liabilities.

Jermaine can be used small spurts but more than likely won’t figure into Doc’s game plan.

Does Rondo’s Thumb Need Special Consideration?

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 02: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics heads for the basket as Grant Hill #33 of the Phoenix Suns defends on March 2, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

One question that will contradict others is whether or not Rajon Rondo will need to be given extra rest to allow his injured pinky to heal. So far it’s “yes.”

This is a tough question for Doc, as Rondo is instrumental to getting his teammates open shots. If he does need extra time, the pace will slow, and the Big Three will have to rely on themselves more to get off their shots.

Rondo should probably play through his injury and keep his minutes up, at the very least during the more crucial games against Miami and Chicago.

Can the Celtics Redefine Their Style of Basketball?

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics and the fans react after he misses a three point shot in the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 23, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Memphis Grizzlies defea

Doc has to wonder if the Celtics have enough time left in the regular season to recreate a definitive style of basketball before the playoffs start.

The team is still learning to play with one another, diluting what the fans have become accustomed to, and when the O’Neals return, the Celtics will again have to adjust their rotation.

Will a new identity be formed, and just how will it become an effective means for the Celtics as an entire team to win games? That is the most important question to answer.