Celtics face a reality check

WALTHAM -- In the words of Paul Pierce, Cleveland's 113-109 double-overtime victory over Boston at TD Banknorth Garden Feb. 15 was a ''classic." And as the teams prepare to meet again tonight at the Quicken Loans Arena, much has changed for Pierce and the Celtics and LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

Pierce, who scored a career-high 50 points against Cleveland, continues to roll on offense despite a mildly sprained right ankle and left elbow bursitis. James, who recorded a triple-double with 43 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists against Boston, continues to lead his team in every way.

The Cavaliers remain the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, hoping to hold on to home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

The Celtics remain on the outside looking in, hoping to gain ground on the Philadelphia 76ers in pursuit of the No. 8 seed.

Boston (29-40) has less than a month to make up four games on the Sixers with 13 games left. The Celtics know they are running out of time.

Yesterday was the first time they publicly acknowledged what a long shot they are to reach the postseason.

''I think we can win all our games next month," said Pierce. ''That's the formula we need."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers went further: ''I think we have to win 13. It's close. You literally do. I'm just thinking out loud now, but if Philly wins five games, you basically do have to win all of your games. I've got a feeling Philly will win five of their next 13."

In other words, the Celtics need at least a six-game winning streak to start in the next week. Keep in mind they have yet to win three straight games this season, a fact that doesn't seem to discourage the players.

''I don't even think about [not having a three-game winning streak] anymore," Pierce said. ''It feels like we've been playing well. It feels like we've won three or four games in a row because we've been playing better basketball."

But the Celtics' schedule does not favor a winning streak, or leave an easy path to the postseason. After Cleveland, Boston comes home to play Chicago Sunday in the first of two meetings next week.

The Bulls are also fighting for the No. 8 seed and stand a half-game ahead of the Celtics.

With the possible exception of New York and Toronto, there are no easy games on Boston's schedule.

The Knicks and Raptors are the only teams who won't be playing for a playoff spot or a particular seed.

Theoretically, the same can be said of the Heat, but the No. 2 seed comes to town for the final game of the season. By that time, the Celtics' fate probably will be decided.

Philadelphia, Chicago, and Milwaukee also have tough games remaining. Just not as many against likely playoff teams as Boston has. But Rivers doesn't want to focus on anything past tonight. He has to make sure the Celtics stop not just James, but Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Donyell Marshall, and Damon Jones, who all had good games in the last meeting.

''I couldn't tell you who Philly plays or anybody's [schedule]. I do look at the scoreboard," said Rivers. ''I do that all year. I kind of know by who won and who lost [how the standings will change]. Now, for the last month, I just look at where we stand. Other than that, I don't pay much attention to it. My job is to get our guys to play well every night.

''Every game we win is good for us. Every game Philly or Washington or Milwaukee wins is bad for us. So, that's the way we look at it."

Rivers planned to have Al Jefferson stay behind when the team traveled to Cleveland. Jefferson will go through two workouts a day with one of the strength and conditioning coaches to restore his confidence in his right ankle, which he sprained Feb. 3 against the Clippers. ''I know I told them to leave him back here, so he can do two-a-days here," said Rivers. The double workouts likely will take place today, tomorrow, and Sunday . . . When asked about his ankle and elbow, Pierce said, ''The ankle's broken and the elbow's fractured. But I'll still be ready to go." Translation: They're both fine . . . Pierce said he enjoys the challenge of facing a tough defender rather than matching an elite scorer shot for shot. ''When you go down the line between the LeBrons, the [Tracy] McGradys, the Vince Carters, the Kobe Bryants, I look forward to all of them," said Pierce. ''I look forward to playing Ron Artest more than those guys." . . . In the wake of his end-of-game dunk against the Toronto Raptors, Gerald Green said he hoped to compete in next season's All-Star slam dunk competition in Las Vegas. Judging from his most recent display, the league should take his request seriously . . . Michael Olowokandi was excused from practice yesterday as he recovered from additional dental work. He did not travel to Cleveland.