The Boston Celtics will finish with the No. 3 seed in the East bracket of the 2011 NBA Playoffs after a headsmacking 95-94 overtime loss to the Washington Wizards on Monday. The Celtics continue to skid, now 3-4 in April after going 8-7 in March. The team is just 14-12 since the All-Star break. On Monday as is per usual, offense did the C's in.
Celics Vs. Wizards: Boston’s B-Team Loses Headsmacker In Overtime To Washington, Falls To No. 3 Seed
Of course, there's a serious asterisk here: Doc Rivers played Boston's B-team. All four Celtics' All-Stars sat, as Rivers decided that rest for the weary was more important than a potential Game 7 against the Miami Heat being in Boston. It's an odd choice, I must say, considering that Boston's A-team just played in Miami, and lost by 23. Frankly, the league slows down dramatically in the playoffs. There will be time for rest -- a game off on Monday can't possibly pay dividends when the first playoff game is Saturday at the earliest, with only one other game in between. It's a bit mad.
Home court advantage matters in the NBA, and Doc disrespected the Heat by all-but-conceding that advantage. The C’s could have won this game with the reserves in charge, but they definitely would have won it with the stars out there, even if just for a half. Instead, if that Game 7 comes around, don’t forget this decision.
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