The NBA is notorious for its rather quirky scheduling decisions at times. The playoffs just happen to be the period of time that always draws the ire of fans, players and coaches. During the regular season the complaining is typically centered around having too many stretches of four games in five nights. Sometimes it's in regards to playing a late game on the west coast, only to travel and play the next day on the east coast. In the playoffs, the argument is reversed.
Most players and coaches would probably admit that they prefer playing every other day. This gets you into a regular routine and rhythm heading into each practice, shoot-around and game. Sometimes however, the NBA schedules an inordinate amount of days off in between games. Obviously money is the driving force for all of these oddities and now there are three days off before the Celtics and Magic tip off for Game 3 in Boston. Does the time off really favor the "old" Celtic team?
Here are the results of each game the Celtics have played in the "New Big Three Era" following three or more days of rest:
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2007-2008 |
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Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Notes |
|
12/12/2007 |
vs. Kings |
W 90-78 |
|
|
1/9/2008 |
vs. Bobcats |
L 95-83 |
|
|
2/19/2008 |
at Nuggets |
L 124-118 |
After ASG |
|
6/5/2008 |
vs. Lakers |
W 98-88 |
Game 1 Finals |
|
2008-2009 |
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|
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Notes |
|
12/11/2008 |
at Wizards |
W 122-88 |
|
|
2/19/2009 |
at Jazz |
L 90-85 |
After ASG |
|
4/8/2009 |
vs. Nets |
W 106-104 |
|
2009-2010 |
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|
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Notes |
|
11/11/2009 |
vs. Jazz |
W 105-86 |
|
|
11/18/2009 |
vs. Warriors |
W 109-95 |
|
|
12/18/2009 |
vs. Sixers |
L 98-97 |
|
|
1/6/2010 |
at Heat |
W 112-106 |
OT |
|
1/18/2010 |
vs. Mavericks |
L 99-90 |
|
|
2/16/2010 |
at Kings |
W 95-92 |
After ASG |
|
5/1/2010 |
at Cavs |
L 101-93 |
Game 1 |
|
5/7/2010 |
vs. Cavs |
L 124-95 |
Game 3 |
In the New Big Three Era, the Celtics are an overall 8-7 when they have three plus days off. They are 4-4 this season alone and the current trend is not favorable. With all of the chatter out there that an "older" team like the Celtics NEED the extra days off, it's not necessarily true. This post-season has proven that thus far as they have played very well when they're in a two day rhythm.
While the wins and/or losses can't solely be attributed to how much rest they have in between games, it could be a facor in some sense. For example, prior to Game 3 against the Cavs, Doc claimed that KG's injured foot (from Game 2) was so bad that if the game were that day (or possibly the next) he probably wouldn't have played. Perkins is also nursing a bad knee right now and the rest will most likely help him. Other than that I think it's something to discuss, but ultimately isn't a truly reliable measuring stick for fture performance.