Play-in tournament looms as possibility for Celtics

If nothing else, the Celtics and Knicks have desperation in common, though from entirely different views.

The Knicks have outperformed their expectations, and are playing for something better than the NBA’s play-in tournament. The Celtics have seriously under-performed. They expect something better than a play-in chance, and may not get it.

And on Wednesday, tied for the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference, both two games behind the fourth place Hawks, both sides had a chance to do something about it. Overall, four teams were bunched within two games of each other between the fourth and eighth teams.

Brad Stevens thinks the play-in tournament will be good for fans, though he has no desire to end up with his team there.

“You are what you are at the end of the year,” said the Celtics coach. “Each game is worth one. We all need to play as well as we can on a given night to have success. But somebody is going to finish in that group, you know, and when they do they’re going to have to get ready to perform, and if you do it well then you can be in the real tournament.

“I think it’s a good idea from a fan engagement standpoint,” he said. “It’s a little bit unique in a 72-game season but I understand the desire to do it, and we hope, just like New York hopes, just like every other team in this mix of teams hopes, that you’re able to find your way above that. But, if not, you play the games you’re assigned to play.”

Thompson returns

Tristan Thompson was activated last night after missing 13 games in health and safety protocol and another three while the veteran power forward underwent cardiac testing and worked his way back into shape.

As evidenced by Stevens’ having to turn to Luke Kornet and Tacko Fall once Rob Williams fell into quick foul trouble against Joel Embiid Tuesday night, the Celtics have a need for Thompson to return to form quickly.

“We don’t have very many vets as it is, except for the young guys that have been here with us; (Marcus Smart) and (Jaylen Brown) and (Jayson Tatum), I guess you could consider them vets now, and obviously (Kemba Walker),” said the Celtics coach. “But with (Evan Fournier) in and Tristan out, you can feel that a little bit.

“We need Tristan back,” he said. “Obviously with the (Daniel Theis) trade, it is enormous to have him back. And I thought that he’ll play a lot when Rob is not. But I thought that Luke came in and showed us that he can do some things, and (Moe Wagner) has done some things, and I thought Tacko did okay last night too. We’re going to need everybody but there’s no doubt that our center rotation will start with Rob and Tristan.”

‘Making progress’ on D

It may not always be apparent, but Stevens believes the Celtics have actually improved defensively.

“I think we’re making progress. I think the numbers would probably suggest that in the last week or so,” he said. “But, you know, like yesterday we talked about our offensive progress and I jinxed us, so I’m just going to shut up and see if we can’t maybe put a good game together on both ends of the floor and go from there.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3cXTbf6