Celtics look to regain Atlantic Divsion lead... by taking a Christmas vacation

After an 18 day run atop the Atlantic, it took a 3 game losing streak and an improbable Raptors upset in OKC for the Celtics to fall out of first place.  But when every team in the division is under .500, the best way to gain ground may be simply by not playing at all.  Today is the first of 5 consecutive days off for Boston, likely due to a late schedule change when the departure of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett prompted the NBA to remove the Celtics from its Christmas Day lineup.

With Toronto playing in San Antonio tonight and at New York on Friday, Boston could well make up their one game deficit without taking the floor.  The Celtics currently find themselves in the 8th spot in the East, and the extra time off probably won't hurt their playoff position in the conference much either.  Boston's next contest is at 1 pm on Saturday, 12/28 against Cleveland.


Follow Mark Vandeusen on twitter @LucidSportsFan