North Station Sports

The Celtics have lost 4 out of 8, and went to OT against the Knicks. This is not a 70 win team. They aren’t playing like a 60 win team. My initial thought for the season was that the baseline for the season was 60 wins. Then, every week the big three were healthy, you add a win. Every week they weren’t, you subtract a win. After the Hawks game, I thought I should lower it to a baseline of 55 wins. After the Knicks game, I want to lower it to 50. Having said that, I don’t think this diminishes their chances of winning the championship. A champion needs to overcome adversity, and November is the time for it. There are some new faces and egos that need to mesh fully. Things will shake out and the team will get better. Remember that this is a very veteran team that believes it can (and probably can) turn it on when it needs to. So here is what I am saying. 70 was a joke but they are still very good and only going to get better. It still all comes down to health.

As for this game. the Sixers are young, aggressive, and going to get better as the year progresses. They are also over-matched.

MATCHUP OF THE NIGHT

Brand v. Garnett – Elton Brand is one of those good guys who can’t catch a break. Injury after injury, his potential remains unreached. Both he and KG got off to slower and maybe a little tentative starts. But Brand has turned the corner lately, averaging 20 and 10 with almost 4 blocks and 3 steals per over the last three games. KG hit the winner against the Knicks.

Prediction – The Celtics, playing the way they are currently, aren’t a lock to win this game by 20. But I would be shocked if they lost. The Celtics can’t lose a fourth home game already, especially to the middling Sixers, can they? Celtics 92 – Sixers 85.