Road gets bumpier for Celtics

Boston's schedule through the first 18 games could not have been more favorable. There were just a couple of back-to-back games, with one set against the same opponent. There were only three contests against Western Conference teams. With the exception of the first road swing through the south to Memphis and New Orleans, trips consisted of a single game. Boston played injury-depleted New Jersey and New York squads. There were games against such lightly regarded teams as the Bulls, Heat, Magic, and Cavaliers.

Needless to say, 7-11 was not the record Boston expected. There have been well-documented second-half collapses and fourth-quarter failures that have troubled the team. They knew there would be a period of adjustment following the Antoine Walker trade and the installation of an up-tempo, passing game offense, but they didn't necessarily expect it to take this long. The only consolation? No team in the Atlantic Division boasts a record better than .500. Plus, Boston ranks third in the NBA in field goal defense.

"We're 7-11?" said Pierce. "I think we should be 15-3. We've been in every single game. We've probably had the lead in the fourth quarter in 99 percent of those games. We just let some of them slip away. You're going to be frustrated by the losing, but me, I'm always optimistic. I still think we can win 50 games. I'm always a positive thinker and I always think things are going to turn around.

"But it's definitely been more of a challenge [to stay positive]. I've just got to understand the transition period we're going through in these games as we acclimate to one another, as we try to build something, develop team chemistry, develop what type of team we're going to be. Right now, we still don't know who we are. It's a little frustrating, but I feel good about the direction we're heading."

Pierce has repeatedly talked about building chemistry and finding a team identity. But the expiration date on the message is drawing near. The Celtics have maintained it will take 20-25 games before they really see what they have with the mix of old and new personnel. That stretch of games will come later this month as the degree of difficulty in the schedule increases dramatically.

Boston's 15 remaining games in December include 10 against Western Conference teams and three back-to-back sets. Tonight, the Celtics welcome Phoenix to the FleetCenter. The slate of upcoming games is almost evenly split between home (eight) and away (seven) contests. And during December, the Celtics will get their first look at Walker (Dec. 17 at the FleetCenter) with his new team, as well as the new and ridiculously improved Lakers (Dec. 28 at Staples Center).

"I think we play well against the Western Conference teams," said Pierce. "To me, it's in our favor. Eastern Conference teams play you about four times a year. They scout you. They know your plays. They know tendencies. Western Conference teams don't really know tendencies and vice versa. But I find it easier to score against Western Conference teams because they don't know my tendencies as much."

In three games against Western Conference opponents this season (Memphis twice and Sacramento), Pierce has averaged 22 points. He is averaging 22.3 points overall. Still, coach Jim O'Brien shares his captain's optimism.

"I really believe that one of the keys is our health," said O'Brien, who had all his players available for practice yesterday. "I believe this is going to be a good basketball team. There's just too many positives. Yes, we're not getting enough wins. We understand that. We're very, very focused on that.

"I also see things that need much improvement like our defensive rebounding, our ability to take care of the basketball, in some instances, our movement on offense. I don't think we're getting to the foul line enough. But there are positive signs that I see. We feel there's certainly a sense of urgency to win the next game, as there always is. We have to create momentum and the only way to do that is to win."