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The Celtics face a much more difficult task than last year. They won't have home court if they play the Lakers. They will most likely not have it for even the Cleveland Cavaliers. Home court is everything in the playoffs. Let's remember, the Celtics have not beaten the Cavs at home at all since the big three have arrived in Boston. They've in fact received some lopsided defeats to Lebron James's Cavaliers. So before they think about the Lakers, they better focus on the Cleveland Cavs and maybe even in the Orlando Magic.

Here's what I worry about the Boston Celtics. It's quite clear to me they're much older. What comes with age, is durability and health. Kevin Garnett has already been sidelined with an knee injury and has just recently return. With the heavy minutes that all-star Paul Pierce has logged, you wonder if he has the same energy to spare in the playoffs, after last years outstanding run to an nba championship.

This years teams are better in the East. The Cleveland Cavaliers have really improved with the acquisition of Maurice Williams, from the Milwaukee Bucks. He's provided Lebron James with that second go-to scorer, that Cleveland lacked last year against the Boston Celtics in a game 7 thriller loss in Boston. Now with Cleveland having home court, a better team, things may be different for Boston. They've not proven they can go into Cleveland and beat them on their own court. They failed to do this last year, lost all three games in Cleveland. On the flip side, Cleveland hasn't won in Boston, either. With Lebron James's ability to explode offensively at any moment, not a risk I'd want to keep tempting.

The wheels aren't completely falling off. Right now Stephon Marbury is adjusting to his new team, and a year of not playing basketball. If Marbury can bring the scoring presence off the bench, he can definitely give them more stability with their bench, to go along with Eddie House and Big Baby Davis. Mikki Moore was not what the Celtics really needed. They should've pushed for Joe Smith, who would've been a similar replacement for PJ Brown, who helped them win an nba championship a year ago. Instead, they let Joe Smith fall to rival Cleveland Cavaliers, who give them an instant improvement in their front line, with the health of Ben Wallace being a factor.

Boston still has the experience, big men up front, and even a much improved Rondo. But can they avoid the loss of Posey and PJ Brown? Two huge components to their team. How will not having home court effect them? This is a team that lost 6 straight road games in the playoffs last year. Something they won't be able to do this season if they want to add another title the Boston Celtic legacy.

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