Quick look at Celtics dubious Title hopes

Few expect the Boston Celtics to walk away with the NBA Championship and Banner #18 this season, but here is what things look like right now.

The Green's odds to win the 2021 Title stand at +5000.

There is little more to say here. Feel free to read my first sentence.

Celtics currently the 7th seed in the East with 34-31 record.

If the Play-In tournament started today, Boston would be in it and taking on the Charlotte Hornets. The good news is that Boston will most-likely finish the regular season in the top-10 in the East. The bad news is that they really need to avoid the Play-In tournament and reacquire at least the 6th seed. Moving up to #4 or #5 would be a really tough road, but a better situation for a still-inconsistent crew.

The 76'ers, Nets & Bucks have all clinched playoff spots and would be heavly favored to take out Boston in a 7-game series.

Nothing to add here.

The West presents a much-tougher challenge for Celtics

The Suns, Jazz, Clippers and Nuggets have all locked up a playoff spot, with Denver at the 4th seed with a 43-22 record (.662). Phoenix has won five-in-a-row and are tops in the West with a 47-18 record, and Utah has the identical 47-18 record.

Celtics 5-5 in last 10 games - still trying to find consistency

I rarely write anything derogatory about Marcus Smart, but in the last 10 games, he has reverted to bad decisions on his shot attempts. In that 10-game span he is hitting 36.4% from the field and 27.4% on treys. Marcus will never be a dead-eye shooter, and he doesn't have to be. His ferocious defense, crisp facilitation and major disruption of opposing offenses are his roles.

The road forward

I find the iso-ball so prevalent in the NBA non-entertaining and a waste of player energy, particularly in the heat-of-battle in the post-season. Evan Fournier, Payton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith are all shooters, and it is highly-likely that all three will see significant time in the playoffs.

They need to see the ball in advantageous situations, and Marcus Smart is the guy to see to that. Both Grant Williams and Semi Ojeleye should still get time in the post-season, but they have limitations, mostly on the offensive end. Play Fournier. Play the rookies - and let things fall where they may. There is little to lose this season. Title hopes are faint. But "Anything can happen".

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